Wow!!

Night one is in the books and boy was it amazing!

We arrived at our hotel around 3:30pm. The kids did a great job following instructions for getting off buses and getting into their rooms. Another huge thank you to my wonderfully kind and generous chaperones for helping with that process!

Back on buses at 5, with our Jimmy Johns, to head downtown. Took awhile to get into the stadium. But once we got in and For King and Country took the stage it was incredible! They are such amazing musicians and their music is super fun. Check them out if you have a chance. I do have some videos on my Facebook page l.

Beautiful reflection on the Road to Emmaus followed by prayer. 

Got back to hotel. Had snacks, kids chatted with their group leaders and in their rooms by 11:45.

Tomorrow we are loading buses at 8am.

Posting some pictures - I’ll keep adding as we go!

Peace,

Annie 

 

We are on the road!

Good morning! 

We are on the road and I have to say thanks to all the families of our students because everyone was ON TIME this morning and loading buses went incredibly well! Thanks to our adult chaperones for stepping in to help check kids in and help put bags under the bus.

Thanks to Deacon Ray Larsen and Deacon Brad Kneeland for blessing our buses before we departed.

We are currently about to Bloomington and will be stopping for food soon. I’m on bus 15 and our bus driver, Sheri, is awesome! We made a quick stop at a as station and I challenged my kids to be done in 25 minutes or less and I would give them each $1 - they were back on the bus in 18 minutes. Guess I need to get some $1’s!!

Will try to update and go live once we hit Lucas Oil Stadium tonight you see FOR KING AND COUNTRY! 

Come, Holy Spirit!

Annie 

One Day More!!!!

If you know the musical “Les Miserables” you will understand this title and perhaps even sang a little bit when you read it.

Today is the day I start to get emotional about NCYC. Knowing we are just hours away from what I hope will be a life changing experience has me in tears at 7:04am!

Although I have lots of stuff to do today, I will make some time to pray in the chapel at Columbus and ask God to open our hearts to His presence this weekend. I will bring the list of teens and adult faith leaders with me so I can remember why I have worked so hard to make this trip happen - it is all for these teens! I will pray that they experience Christ in a totally new and unexpected way at NCYC. 

The road to Emmaus story comes to mind every time we prepare for NCYC. “Were not our hearts burning within us?” I think we are like those disciples on that road. We are on a journey. We will meet many people along the way. Will we know Jesus if He’s walking beside us? I think we will. I think our hearts will be burning - I know mine already is. 

I ask that you pray for our group and all teens and adults traveling to NCYC. We will be praying for you!

Come, Holy Spirit!

~Annie 

3 DAYS!!!!!

I AM SO EXCITED!
After more than a year of planning for NCYC 2019 - it is almost time!!!

Trip participants - a couple things:
1. Please be at ST.EDS by 5:45am on Thursday
2. Bus and hotel lists will be sent out via email by Wednesday at 5pm (if you signed up for a room then that is who you are rooming with. Buses are seniors on bus 15, juniors on bus 14, some sophomores on bus 13 and all freshmen and some sophomores on bus 12. Reminder that the bus ride is a VERY small part of the experience. Bus assignments cannot be changed per rules of the bus company. 

PARENTS - please help reinforce this. EVERYONE is with

 their friends on a bus!

3. PACK YOUR SHIRTS/HATS/TRADE ITEMS. Wear whatever on the bus. Blue shirts on Friday. Maroon shirts on Saturday. Comfortable shoes!
4. Looks like 40-50 degrees with a chance of rain a few days in Indy. Packing an umbrella or even better a cheap poncho might be smart. FYI - 20,000 people carrying umbrellas seems like someone might get their eye poked so if you bring an umbrella, please be careful and remember YOU have to carry it all day.
5. Bring a bag to carry water bottles, snacks, etc. We leave hotels at 7:30am and won't return until 10pm or later each night.
6. GET EXCITED AND BRING YOUR BEST ATTITUDE WITH YOU!
7. Download the NCYC 2019 app. It now available for both apple and android phones.
8. Have you joined our Remind text group. If not - text: @ncyc20192 to the number: 81010

If you are following this blog and are not a parent/NCYC teen, please pray for us! And please watch along at home! Our morning and evening general sessions will be livestreamed. http://www.ncyc.info/livestream  Morning sessions are from 7:30am-10:45am EASTERN TIME. Evening sessions are 7:30pm-11:00pm EASTERN TIME. It will give you a look at what we are experiencing!

Please pray for us as head to Indy on Thursday. We will be praying for all our family and friends back home!!

Here is a great photo from NCYC 2017

PEACE!
Annie

We are SO CLOSE!!

Holy cow it is crunch time!

NCYC is just over 2 weeks away and I am so excited! More than a year of work is almost done and soon we will be loading buses and heading to Indianapolis.

As you can imagine, there are still lots of details to take care of, so I’m very busy until we leave. If you need to contact me, email, text or message me on Remind. 

The goal is have all your goodie bags done by Monday the 11th. CHS kids listen to the announcements for pick up instructions. West kids, I’ll bring your bags to school some day next week. I’ll let you know what day!

If you go to East or CF, I’ll text you to make arrangements to get your stuff to you.

Remember to make getting to mass a priority the next few weekends. Also, make time for prayer! Our hearts need to be open to how God is calling us. This trip can change your faith life if you let it!

Go to: www.ncyc.info and click the  “schedule” tab to start looking at workshops. If you can make a plan ahead of time - it will help you be less overwhelmed.

I cannot wait to share this experience with you all! NCYC is the BEST part of my job and I can’t wait for us to be Blessed, Broken and Given.

Peace!

Annie 

 

Meetings, Meetings, Meetings!

It’s the final countdown!! (I hope you sang that!)

I need to see you all before we leave. Group meetings are set for the following days. All meetings are at BLESSED MARIA at 6:30pm. 

Tuesday, Oct. 22

Wednesday, Oct. 23

Monday, Oct. 28

Monday, Nov. 4

All high school youth and a parent are REQUIRED to attend ONE of these meetings. It is highly important as this is the last time I’ll see most of you before we leave and there is A LOT of important information I need to share with you. I promise to get you out in 45 minutes.

Please bring $15 CASH per person to the meeting. This will cover evening snacks, tips for our bus drivers and our hotel housekeeping staff. I will have envelopes for you at the meetings.

If you are behind on payments - I really need you to get caught up as soon as possible. I can take your money at the meetings - we can even take credit card payments for a fee of $3.00 per transaction. It is important that everyone be paid in full by November 21st. 

Looking forward to seeing you all soon!

Email me with questions: anniezeets@gmail.com

Peace, 

Annie 

33 Days to Indy!

I'm baaaack!

Can you believe NCYC 2019 is just 33 days away???

I am working on getting trade items ready, t-shirts ordered, a snack plan for each night at the hotel, bus lists, first aid kids and lots of other small things that need to happen before we hit the road to Indy.

As we begin to prepare for this journey, I hope you are adding prayer into your daily life and getting to mass each weekend. Our hearts must be open if we have any hope of encountering Christ at NCYC 2019. He will be there, ready to embrace you in His arms if you are ready!

Please feel free to share this blog with family and friends. I will be updating as we get ready for our journey and while we are in Indianapolis.

I ask that you pray for our group of 161 teens and 39 adult faith mentors (largest group in the Archdiocese of Dubuque!) as we get ready for NCYC 2019! We will be praying for you too!

Peace,
Annie

CALLED

Wow!!
NCYC 2017 has come to an end, but what we experienced will last a lifetime.

First I need to say that this group of 141 kids and 25 adults has been stellar! Please make sure you thank our amazing adult chaperones if you see them around.
Barb Cannon
Carrie Evans
Chris Evans
Kathryn Fain
Kris Frush
Sami Graff
Lori Harms
Brenda Harrison
Kathy Joblinske
Jennifer Kneeland
James Larsen
Ray Larsen
Cary Meier
Stacie Mills
Tom Novotney
Jade Pint
Bob Pranger
Kathy Rath
Melissa Schoer
Sean Schott
Susie Sigwarth
Rebecca Swanson
Cindy Weber
Pat Wiss

These adults have made this trip incredibly meaningful. They walked the journey with the kids and I am forever grateful that they said YES to this call.

Parents: Your kids will be different when they come home. NCYC is hard to describe. It's all the best parts of being catholic wrapped up into 3 days of singing, dancing, praying, listening, reflecting and feeling the true presence of Christ.
Please take some time to talk to your kids about this experience.
A few questions to begin a conversation;
What was your favorite part of NCYC?
What speakers did you hear?
What was one thing you heard that really spoke to you?
What can we do as a family to help keep the spirit of NCYC alive?

The real work starts tomorrow when we go back to our daily lives.

We can't stop here.

Bus 24, 25 and 26 experienced NCYC 2017 together - now we want to bring that faith, that fire, back to you.

We are:
Called by Name
Called to More
Called to Listen
Called to Serve

The real work begins tomorrow.

Are you ready?

Peace!

We Made It!

We have arrived in Indy!
The kids were awesome on the buses.
They were great when we stopped for lunch.
They were spectacular when we checked in to the hotel.
Do you see a pattern here?!

These. Kids. Are. Awesome!!!

I'll update more when we get to Lucas Oil Stadium.

Peace!

2 days to Indy!

2 DAYS!!

As we countdown to NCYC 2017, I am writing so you have the link to our travel blog.

My hope is to update a few times each day and have students share some favorite moments from each day.

I will also be posting on facebook - search my name - I'll make my page public until the 20th. Hope to "go live" on facebook too.

Be sure to head to www.ncyc.info to watch the morning and evening sessions each day.

Remember the parishes are hosting a watch party on Thursday night at COR @220 E. 4th Street. Arrive about 6:45pm. Snacks and drinks will be served.

Buses load at 4:30am on Thursday at St. Eds!

Please keep us in your prayers. We will be praying for you too!

Peace,
Annie

Holy Week Thoughts

Holy Week.

The most sacred time in the church year.

As we begin the Triduum, I always like to reflect on what this all really means.  For me, this is when I truly see Jesus as human.

The Last Supper; This is when Jesus gives us the most important gift; the Eucharist. And he did this by breaking bread with his friends. What a great reminder to take the time to share a meal with those you love. Family dinners are a great way to reconnect in this busy world. Even if it can't happen everyday, I would encourage you to set a goal of family dinner once a week.

Jesus knew he was going to die. And he knew it was to save us. But for that brief moment in the garden, when he asks his Father to take the burden away, we see that Jesus is a lot like us.  To see him vulnerable is an incredible moment for me. I am guilty of feeling as though my struggles are more than others. I think we all can be that way. But knowing Jesus felt that way, yet still accepted his fate, which was death on a cross, reminds me to face challenges head on and with courage.
I have known several people who have suffered greatly from illness and disease. Health issues that would eventually take their lives. And these people knew this would happen.  And I believe it was because of their deep faith and relationship with Jesus that they were able to accept that death was coming, make peace with it, and die with dignity and grace. (I'm talking about you, JJ!)

As a mother, I also think about Mary. How difficult it must have been to watch your only son be persecuted, tortured and nailed to a cross. I had the privilege of attending the Agnus Dei presentation last weekend at St. Eds.  Paula Moore, who has a gorgeous voice, sang a song called "Silently". The song was about Mary as she silently stood in the crowd and watched her son travel to his death. It was a beautifully haunting reminder of the great faith of Mary. As the tears streamed down my face, I put myself in Mary's shoes. What grief she must have felt watching her son suffer, yet her constant faith allowed her to do what God asked her to do so many years ago; bear the Son of God and watch him suffer and die.

So as we enter into these last days of Lent, let's try to focus on the real meaning of it all; we live because HE died.

Wishing you a safe and blessed Easter!

Lent: How ya doin'?

Hi friends!

We are making our way through the Lenten season.
How's it going?
Are you keeping up with your Lenten goals?

I'll be honest. This Lent has not been the best for me. I really challenged myself to focus on prayer and I have not done much to make my relationship with God stronger.
I swore I would pray the rosary daily.
Then I backed off and said well maybe a few times a week.
Then I went even further and decided a rosary once a week would be ok.
You know how many rosaries I've said? ZERO.

I've spent more time talking about my lack of follow through of my goals than sticking to any goals.

So today I woke up and decided that it was time to change.

I know change doesn't happen overnight. It takes time. It takes hard work. It takes dedication (something I don't always have). So I spent some time browsing the incredible shelf of resources in the youth office and decided to start some spiritual reading. I will begin reading Henri Nouwen's "Can You Drink From The Cup". It is a short book that I have heard about from many friends in ministry. My hope is that by starting small, with this book, it will spark something inside me. It will help me refocus on the things that are important, like prayer and taking time to feed my spiritual soul.
It's not a rosary every day, but maybe this is a better goal for me.

I challenge you to take some time to evaluate where you are with your own Lenten goals.
And if you feel like they aren't working, try to determine why. Maybe you need a new goal.

Remember that NCYC feeling? Or the feeling you had after Kairos? I know how those fabulous experiences made me feel! They made me feel on FIRE for my faith. How we keep that fire alive is the challenge. Daily life is not NCYC or Kairos. But there is beauty and joy and faith wrapped into every part of every day. We just need to watch for it.

As always, please watch the high school youth ministry facebook page for all that is happening.
You can always go to www.waterloocatholics.org and click the youth ministry button on the homepage for information.

Until next time......
Annie

51 Days Later. Where are You?

Hi friends!

It's been 51 days since we returned from NCYC.
51 days since we were on the mountaintop.

Think back to that feeling you had the first night we marched into Lucas Oil Stadium.
Remember the energy.
The floor was shaking from the music and from the lively jumping of 24,000 teens.
It was pretty awesome.

Remember how Fr. Leo challenged us to get out there and be disciples.

Remember Paul J. Kim throwing down some pretty amazing beats.

Remember the next morning how Chris Padget told us how we must make praying to our holy mother, Mary a priority.

Remember that feeling of true grace and warmth when the blessed sacrament was processed in for adoration. Remember how 24,000 teens, the same teens who 24 hours earlier we dancing and jumping and going crazy, fell SILENT before the body of Christ.

Remember how Dr. Carolyn Woo told us to listen to God's plan for us, even if it's not what we think it should be. He knows better than us.

Remember watching HUNDREDS of priests and bishops process in for mass.

Remember the experience of mass, the source and summit, with 24,000 of your new friends.

Remember coming home on the bus and sharing what you were bringing home from NCYC.

Now - how are you doing?
Have you kept the promises you made to yourself when you came home from NCYC?
Are you praying?
Have you been going to mass on Sunday?
Have you stopped by the adoration chapel to say hi to Jesus?
Have you treated others as children of God?
Are you living a life that is pure and chaste?
Are you being the light of Christ to others?

I know it is hard to come back to reality. I struggle with this as an adult, so I know it must be very difficult for you as teens.

As we inch closer to the season of Lent, I challenge you to go back to that NCYC place in your heart.
Think of ways you can keep that feeling alive in you and ways to share it with others.

MAKE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD A PRIORITY!

Youth Ministry has lots of great stuff happening.
- Check out our Facebook page for the latest info: search Waterloo Catholic Youth Ministry
- Bible study will be happening every Wednesday night at 8:00pm in the youth room at Columbus. Take advantage of this opportunity to be with peers and dig into scripture.

Look for details on an NCYC reunion in early February. We shared something special as a group, so it's important to come back together and check in.

As always, I am here for you.
I love you all.

Peace,
Annie

Here I Am, Lord

NCYC 2015 is in the books.
What an INCREDIBLE, AWESOME, AMAZING, LIFE-CHANGING experience!

First let me say that this is one of the best groups of young people I have ever taken on a trip. They were completely engaged from the moment we boarded the buses. They were also polite to everyone along the way, kind to each and were totally respectful of our adult chaperones. I am SO proud of this group!

All the keynote speakers were amazing. We learned that being a priest can be VERY cool from Fr. Leo Padalinghug. We heard just how important it is to pray to our Mother Mary from Chris Padgett. We heard about the importance of prayer from Mark Hart and then spent time in front the blessed sacrament while experiencing some awesome music by Matt Maher. 24,000 people sitting in complete silence focusing on Jesus is powerful and an experience that most of the group would say was the highlight of the trip. We learned about Catholic Relief Services from Dr. Carolyn Woo. Then we celebrated mass with 24,000 of our closest friends and watched hundreds of priests come in as part of the procession.

We also traded hats, foam fingers, and clothespins.
We sang.
We danced.
We laughed so much.

I am working on putting together a video about our experience. Once it is done, I will make sure it is posted for all to see. It will also be posted on parish social media and websites.

Now we try and keep this NCYC mountaintop experience alive. How do we do this?
One way is to go to mass. Make sure you attend mass as a family each week. Even if the music isn't always perfect, or the readings don't really apply to you that day, go and be with God. He wants to talk to you! 

Make meal time important. Gather as a family around the table and make sure you begin with prayer.

Encourage your kids to attend youth ministry events. I am offering Bible Study on Wednesday nights at 6:00pm during December. And we will be meeting on Sundays from 6-8 to reflect on the readings and prayers for the season of Advent.

These are just a few ideas. My goal is to also have NCYC "reunions" once a month starting in January. These will be simple events, like movie nights, that will begin with some prayer and reflection. It will be a chance to remember that we all shared something special in Indianapolis and that we need to keep that NCYC flame alive in our hearts so we can share it with our family, school and parish.

Thank you for trusting me to lead the group on this journey. I am humbled by your faith.

Time to get to work!

HERE I AM, LORD.

Saturday = THE BEST DAY EVER!

Saturday.
Wow.
So much to say but it's late and we are all tired and filled with joy and many emotions.
I'll need to spend some time on our ride home formulating my thoughts to share with you.
I will tell you these few things;

This group if students is incredible! It has been wonderful getting to know them better. I love them all.

We laughed. A LOT.

We cried, too. Tears of joy. Tears from  hurt. Some were from emotions they had never felt before. But emotions are good! They matter.

We bonded in small groups.

Our chaperones are simply AMAZING!

Mass was beautiful.

Your kids will be different when they come home.

I promise to share more tomorrow.

Pray for our safe return home.

Monday is when the real work begins.

Peace,
Annie

Friday = AMAZING

Friday is in the books and it was an AMAZING day!

We started with our general session and keynote speaker Chris Padget. Chris is hilarious and made all of us laugh - A LOT. But he also talked about his own relationship with our Blessed Mother Mary and how she has been a source of comfort and strength for his family.

Then it was down the block to the Convention Center. Wow! So many people, so many workshop choices! It takes some time to get your bearings as the convention center is pretty big. But thanks to our awesome adult chaperones, the kids found where they were going. Today there were 3 rounds of workshops. Many of students attended a session titled "Love or Lust" by Jason and Crystallina Everet. This married couple talks about chastity and the importance of knowing your self worth, especially when it comes to relationships. All who attended said it really made them think about love and how important it is to give love to the RIGHT person.
Some kids went to listen to Jesse Manibusan. Others to listen to John Angotti. Many spent time in the interactive village doing activities and trading with other kids and checking out all the catholic vendors. There are so many workshops to choose from, and it's 1:01am and I honestly can't remember where all the kids went. Ha!

Tonight was one of the most powerful experiences I have ever had. XLT is praise and worship music, a witness talk and adoration. Catholic musician Matt Maher got us into a prayerful state thru music. Then speaker Mark Hart talked to us about the importance of fostering a relationship with Jesus and how God loved us SO much that he have up His son for us and now God is patiently waiting for us.
Then the blessed sacrament was brought in and exposed. The silence of 24,000 teens was powerful and emotional. Many of our kids were literally moved to tears during this silence in the presence of Jesus. Words cannot describe the feeling but I know it's something the kids will carry home with them.

I was so proud of our group today! Always smiling, even though I know they were tired. Always polite. Always making sure they are checking in with their chaperones. This is an exceptional group of young people!! I am so blessed to know them.

Tomorrow is our last day. We are looking forward to the closing mass which is always the highlight of this journey.
Until then, keep on praying for us!!!

Peace!
Annie

Thursday

Wow!
After 8 hours on buses. Several pit stops. And a somewhat chaotic hour of sorting hotel keys and name badges, we were ready for NCYC 2015.

Words could never accurately describe what it feels like walking into Lucas Oil Stadium and NCYC for the first time. The music was LOUD. The floor was SHAKING. The energy was ELECTRIC.
My friend DJ Bill Lage got the crowd pumped up and then one of my favorite Christian bands, For King and Country performed. 25,000 teens and their adult chaperones danced and sang and praised the lord. My favorite moment was when one of first time NCYC kids said to me, "I had no idea it would like this! This is awesome!"
GOD IS GOOD!
The emcees, Paul J. Kim and Jackie Francois Angel were funny and sweet. Paul Kim can sure drop a sick beat! He's a beatboxer - which is so cool. And Jackie, even though she's 6 months pregnant, is a fabulous dancer who does a mean moonwalk.
Our keynote speaker, Fr. Leo, showed us how to stand up to temptations and that every day we are fighting a battle for our faith. What a treat to see a young, cool priest with lots of energy who also break dances and breaks boards (he did some sweet martial arts moves).
The evening ended back at the hotel with pizza and small group time. Kids were in their rooms at midnight.

Friday we hit the ground running at 7:30am!! This is where the real work begins.

As always, pray for us!
Peace,
Annie

On the road!

We are on the road!

My group is the best. All were on time, which allowed us to leave on time! It takes roughly 8 hours to get to Indianapolis. We are scheduled to arrive around 3:30pm Eastern time.

We are travelling in a caravan of 3 buses. One full bus with our group. One bus that's half our group, the other half from Calmar. The Calmar group seems like a lot of fun! The 3rd bus is Jesup and another group.

Thanks to Fr. Bob Gross from Calmar who is travelling with their group for blessing us before we hit the road!

Right now, things are quiet on Bus 14 (our full bus). Lots of sleeping kids (and adults!)

I will try to update the blog a few times each day, but sometimes my phone doesn't cooperate.

We ask that you pray for our group. We'll return the favor and pray for you!

Peace!
Annie

ONE WEEK!

One week from today we will be on the road to Indy!
We had our final meeting on Monday night and the excitement is starting to build.

The biggest part of NCYC is recruiting adult chaperones. These are the people who walk this journey with the youth from our parishes. They are the ones who will make sure everyone is safe and has a good time.
Our chaperones are:
Shannon Beyrle, Jordan Sadecki, Annette Staples, Cindy Weber, Stacie Mills, Brenda Harrison, Francie Luke, Kathy Joblinske, Dr. Bob Pranger, Bob Nemmers, Deacon Ray Larsen, James Larsen & Chris Evans. 
Please make sure you thank them if you run into them around town.

Here are some pictures of trade items and hats!
 

 Shirts Hats & trade items

Journals




If you want to stay up to date with all our NCYC adventures, follow this blog! Also - you are invited to attend an NCYC "Watch Party" on Thursday, Nov. 19th.

 

 





We hope you can make it to the Watch Party!

Until next time, I ask that you keep us in your prayers. NCYC can be a powerful experience for teens and my hope is it will bring them closer to Christ and help them understand the power of the church!

Peace!
Annie