End Transmission: August 19, 2009

So it's been a few days since I left the CASA. After Justiceworx ended we went over to Sean's place for a little wrap up bbq and final hang out session before we all left for home. That night we had good fun playing Ninja and hiding Pinguita places. That was one of the most fun experiences I've had in life.

This summer has been one of the most engrossing, incredible and life-changing experiences I've had so far. I was able to get so into the work we all took part of and make it become a part of my life. I'm going to try to live more simply than I have in past years, as well as try and become more responsible socially and practically (like with my money, for example). I'm going to continue working towards a sweat-free campus, although it seems pretty tough because of time and such. I know that if I keep the will of God in my hearts, I will be able to do anything.

And that's really what this summer has taught me. The will of God is present in all of us. He lets all of us have purpose and drive to get to that purpose. He gives us gifts so that we all can use them in community to figure out the common good and what that should look like. It's our responsibility to make this world a better place for our children, and I think that this experience, while technically is not called "Leaderworx," has made me even more of a leader than last year.

As for the future, I don't know if I'll be back to the programs next year. It's hard to know what the future holds being a senior in college. I'm going to celebrate my two year anniversary with my girlfriend, I'm going to march down at the SOA for one last year, and I'm going to take the GRE for grad school (God willing). I'm going to apply for volunteer programs and I'm going to hopefully be volunteering internationally next summer until...well two years from next summer. All of that stuff is up in the air. What I do know is that without the Worx programs, I would not be the person I am today. Without their loving support and purpose they've given me through all of my emotional, spiritual, mental, and even physical (frisbee, anyone?) development, I would be in a totally different place than I am today.

Last year in the community, our friend MOP had us make yellow shirts with designs on them. She always wears a yellow shirt on wednesdays, and so she wanted all of us to have yellow shirts. I looked at the yellow shirt in front of me, and looked around the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal, and drew a big red X on the middle of the shirt. On the top of the shirt I wrote "MARKED" and on the bottom of the shirt I wrote "FOR LIFE." Because of these programs, I am truly marked for life.

Hopefully this blog has been informative, slightly funny, and sort of insightful. May God be with all of you who have been keeping up with it, and all of you who have not. Let us all let God mark our lives, and learn to give without counting the cost.

-Jeff

::end transmission::

The last time in the Night Duty Room: Justiceworx, Wk. 7, Day 6

Today we took down all the banners around the seminary. The walls are bare and the flourescent lights in the hallway seem to shine brighter without their presence. There's no more color or life in the seminary without those simple banners and pictures being up. I'm going to miss this place like crazy.

Thinking of my life without St. Joseph's Seminary accessible is hard right now. This place is such a spiritual place for me that I don't even believe I'll be torn apart from the spirit of this place. Sean and Brian both had longer relationships with this place than I have, but six years is still a long time. I can't convince myself that we're not going to be having Justiceworx here next year.

Now I sit in this night duty room where for the past three years I have grown in ways I never thought imaginable. I sit on the precipice of starting my final year of undergraduate work and a life that I am unclear about yet. Without this place here it will be harder, but I know that if I keep it as a part of my heart, God will bless it and keep it safe no matter where I go.

I'm going to miss this place like crazy.

-Jeff

The Night I Went Without Wendy's: Justiceworx Wk. 7, Day 5

Today was another great day. This week has been such a high for me, I can't even believe tomorrow's the last day of service for the week! I remember the ice breaker on Sunday night and not knowing what to expect from this group. I have to say that the students this week are an incredible group, and that I am very proud to lead them. They're already ready to take on the world, they just need to be sent home.

As I was sitting in the staff room tonight I thought about our impending Wendy's run. It's been tradition to have Wendy's runs at Justiceworx after the kids go to bed. Not everyday, but every once in a while we'll all pile into a car and drive over to Wendy's to get some food and talk about the week and other various things. In my mind I thought to myself that if we're really teaching kids about how we need to curve our over consumption habits, and if we are really trying to get that message across, then going out to Wendy's wouldn't be the best option for me to eat. It messed with me for a little bit, but I found myself not wanting Wendy's tonight because I have plenty of food.

It's interesting to have confidence in ones' self enough to tell someone "no" when he or she really actually does want to have something. I know that it was the right move not to have any Wendy's tonight because I feel a little bit calmer tonight. I feel a little bit peaceful and tranquil because I don't have to worry about eating a whole burger before bed. It's a small victory for me, but if I continue to practice things like this, I know I will be able to turn down even the smallest eating habit, like Pringles before bed.

I hope I can continue this practice.

-Jeff

Epic Dance Party: Justiceworx, Wk. 7, Day 4

Quick update because I need sleep.

-The Wednesday activity ended on a great note. Everything went as best as it could and it seemed that the students really had a great experience

-Mass was incredible. It's a shame that I won't be seeing that chapel ever again. Well, probably not "ever" again, but I'm not going to see it for a very long time.

-We had an hour and a half long dance party with the kids. It was so epic and just a great way for everyone to bond.

-I'm really proud of how our students are handling this week and giving it there all. It reflects the fact that I'm giving it my all as a leader for these kids.

That's it from here. It's almost over, but my heart hasn't left yet.

-Jeff

Latika! You're my destiny!: Justiceworx, Wk. 7, Day 3

This week is exceptional. I have been enjoying the kids immensely because they bring so much energy to the table. We have a split between the newcomers and the old comers in terms of numbers, but all of them seem to be meshing pretty well. They're meeting each other and hanging out. We've been playing a lot of games as well, such as Ships and Sailors, Bunny Bunny Donka Donka, Wah!, and other "ice breaker" type games. I'm glad to see that they enjoy them so much; they're doing a good job getting to know each other.

My family group is really outstanding. Today we had a wonderful discussion about God, and it made me realize how much these kids want to know and understand God. It's incredible to me that these kids haven't given up on God because of all of the stuff that has been going on in the world. Although some of them don't have as much faith in God as others do, everyone here isn't afraid to question their faith and engage it in such a way that it will grow and not just grow stagnant.

This week is shaping up to be a good week. Can't wait to see how it ends up.

-Jeff

Bunny Bunny: Justiceworx Wk 7, Days 1 & 2

So my two roommates are sleeping in the beds nearby; I'll make this a sort of quick update.

-Kids this week seem to be pretty good. We have a good mix of returners and new comers, so we will have an interesting dynamic.

-Sunday was tough because we were lacking in supplies. The reports from Appalachia seem to be very good, so it was worth it. Good job to all the leaders on Justiceworx: Appalachia! Congrats on an awesome week!

-Today was a good day. I had a lot of energy at the work site and I enjoyed working with my work group. They all seem ready to open up and excited for the work.

-This week feels like a Justiceworx week from when I was a participant. I can't really explain that without going into more detail, but what I will say is that I do enjoy the mystique of the whole week: keeping the campers guessing at what happens at every moment. They seem to have really jumped into programming and things like that.

Alright, bed time (after one more round of night duty!). Good night all.

-Jeff

Another week off: August 2nd-8th

It's crazy how outside life seems to creep up on the programs. I remember entering the CASA thinking that this summer was going to be long because of all of the changes to the programs. I should have judged from my past expereince: this summer was shorter than last summer. Chalk it up to the fact that the "leaderworx" community (i quote l-worx because technically, we aren't the "leaderworx" community)didn't mean on June 1st last year, or to the fact that this year we only had seven weeks instead of 8 (which is also not true because as I write this here a week of J-worx is happening in West Virginia). Maybe the speed of time can also be attributed to the fact that we have had two weeks off this summer in which we are able to enter back into the "real" world and see or talk to people we haven't had contact with due to our job.

I think the truth of the matter is that no matter what time's speed is attributed to, we can all agree that no matter what, it does not slow down for anyone. It seemed like yesterday I was meeting new people from Michigan and getting to know people I met last year better. Now I sit here, typing on the eve before the last Justiceworx week of the summer. I know this next week is going to fly by, we'll pack up, leave the Seminary one last time, come back to the CASA and call it a summer. So that's why next week I'm going to leave it all on the table.

This whole summer I feel like i've done an alright job leaving my energy on the table. I think as a community we've done a great job doing that. Every week I feel like we try to be as present to these kids as possible. That can be attributed to the fact that we all know the common goal: to teach these students about Catholic Social Teaching and what it means to enter into the common human struggle. We all feel as if that's what these students need to understand. For my own part the energy I give every week sometimes avails itself to a fault because it can make me worried or anxious to get to the next activity and event. What I have to remember is that for this next week, time is against us. The faster the week goes, the quicker this summer will be over.

So next week will be our final week. No other weeks ahead of us, everything is behind us. We must be ready to show these students the love of Christ and how radically it can change the world so that when they return home they can live out the quote on the back of their t-shirts: "Changing the world, one summer at a time."

All for the Greater Glory of God,

-Jeff

Double Duty week: Serviceworx & Justiceworx, Wk. 6

Last week was pretty tiring. It was probably the most tiring week of the summer for all involved. It was also a week that brought to me a new realization about where i'm going to be next year. I can't believe that this year may be my last year with the programs (at least, for a while). I don't know what next summer will bring and it kind of freaks me out that I may not be helping out the Center next year. As Nick and I were talking about it, I realized how much Justiceworx has shaped my outlook on the world. As a former participant turned leader I can't even think of how I was before Justiceworx became a huge part of my life. It's incredible how much different I am because of these programs, and how much God has enabled me to do through these programs. 

It's weird when one faces the end of a part of life. I know that I have to stop doing the programs at some point, but they're always so rewarding. Every summer, with the students and fellow leaders I've met, all the friends that I've made, and the growth that has come from these programs, I cannot start to think about how I can live without these programs. As overdramatic as that sounds it's true. What my boss Sean has put together is a solid program for youth looking to explore different avenues of expressing their faith in a totally safe and comfortable environment. That doesn't usually happen anywhere. It's incredible how long it's had a hold on my life for.

I don't ever think it'll stop holding my life. All I know is that I will be forever marked by these programs no matter where I am because they have shaped who I am in an indelible way. 

-Jeff

ps: This is going to be an awesome week off. 

Jam Session: Serviceworx/Justiceworx, Day 4

Today was a good day all around. Wednesday is always a good day whenever it occurs, and it's especially good during the Worx programs. For us leaders it's a good way to tell whether or not our program has been effective. For Serviceworx, I could tell that a lot of the students were beginning to bond today. During one of our sharing sessions we had a lot of the students playing off of what the other was saying. One student would bring up someone from a nursing home, others would say "yeah, I remember her!" and start telling stories. It would sort of get frustrating for me because it would push the schedule of the day back further. I find that I need to work on being more tranquil when it comes to these programs because it definitely effects my leadership abilities. It's been something i've been struggling with all summer, and probably something I'll take into the new school year. Today was a good day at serviceworx, though. 

The evening at Justiceworx was great. Unfortunately, our usual liturgical minister couldn't make the mass tonight so I was in charge of music. It's funny how good it turned out. I think God certainly has some musical plans for me later on in life because I have had something to do with the music at Justiceworx/serviceworx every time i've lead it. Music is such a large part of my life that I guess God would have to do something with it. After the mass the high schoolers were sitting in the cafeteria and so I brought my guitar over to play for them. They asked to hear one of my songs and loved it after I finished playing it. Tonight really reminded me why I play/write music: for the love. Not the love that i get from the audience, although I will admit that is an added bonus. Whenever I strum, and the pick runs over the copper strings of my acoustic guitar I always feel strong. It's strange that one of the things that gives me most security in the world has a hole in it, yet as I played for the students I realized that I needed to be there tonight. I heard God in the music. 

Thursday and Friday loom around the corner, but I know things will be ok. With good friends and good tunes, God will always be on my side. God is in them. 

-Jeff

Laundry Night: Serviceworx/Justiceworx, Day 2

So it's about 12:30 am and I'm waiting for my laundry to be done. Serviceworx is pretty good this week. We have the unique situation at St. C's to have some kids who are returners to the Serviceworx program this week. They're a big help because they kind of know what to expect at Serviceworx and also indirectly lead the younger kids by getting into the service they participate in. The past two days have been easy, but it's only monday. I'm sure something (if it already hasn't) will come up. 

At justiceworx this evening we did one of my favorite activities: the family "togetherness" activities. While I can't go into real details about it, what I will say is that this activity is designed to show the participants not only the consequences of their actions as well as the challenge of being in community not only with their family and friends, but also with their brothers and sisters abroad in the global, human family. Whenever we buy clothing that my come from a company who uses under-paid workers, we support those companies and participate in their oppression of workers. By making conscious decisions with our money we can help change companies and force them to make new policies. We must look out for all of those in our global community. 

I should probably be sleeping but this laundry is taking forever. I've been sitting in front of my computer surfing the web thinking to myself that there should be something better I could be doing with my time. It's odd in this day and age where one can find staring at a screen more enjoyable than looking at words on a page. I wish my mind were more disciplined. 

That's all from here. Hopefully my laundry will be done soon. Gotta wake up for work tomorrow!

-Jeff

6/8ths

So yesterday the fifth week of Justiceworx concluded. The kids ended the week on a good note. I popped a guitar string playing the theme song, so I need to replace that. Now I'm sitting in the staff room at St. Joseph's Seminary calmly waiting the start of Serviceworx, week 5. It's incredible to think that six weeks ago I was meeting new people and getting to know friends that I had not really known before. It's weird to think that in three weeks we will all go our separate ways and be in contact only by email or letter rather than face to face conversation. 

Yet I think that God brought all of us together this summer. Last summer was incredible and I don't doubt that God brought all of us together either. But it seems that this summer the people in the programs seem as committed or more so committed than last summer's community. All the volunteers and new foundations we've made with people increases the probability that what we're doing here is part of God's larger view of the kingdom. It seems that not only are we in the business of transforming high school aged students, but also in the business of transforming young adults into conduits of something greater than themselves. 

I have certainly learned a lot this summer about many things. I felt a little bit sluggish at the beginning of the summer, but through this community I have rediscovered my faith and look to bring it all back to SJU, friends and family. There are still three weeks to go, though, so I will be trying to live each moment as if it won't be there for long, because that's the truth of the matter. We will all return to our homes and look back on this summer with fond memories, but its spirit will touch us only if we live every moment to its fullest. 

That's all from here today. I'll update about Serviceworx this week.

-Jeff 

Egyptian Rat Big Room: Justiceworx Wk 5, Day 5

Alright, quick updates so I can get to bed soon. 

-Work group is leading the way in terms of bringing people together this week. They've gelled very well. 

-WE planned activities today for Enable. My work group did a great job and we made a great card for one of the staff members whose last day is tomorrow. 

-Community activities devolved into screamer in the big room. It was sweet. 

-Mary's talk was incredible, as always.

-Family group is better than before. 

Alright, cheerio! Hope you all have been keeping up with the blog! 

-Jeff

Traveling Alone: Justiceworx Wk 5, Day 4

Today we had our weekly tipping point. The kids responded well to it today. Even though we were understaffed we actually did the best activity that we've done throughout the whole summer. We had a lot of frustration but understanding after our presentation and mass. I had to do music because our usual minister is on vacation this week. It's weird because a few weeks ago I had to do music as well, and it seems like God is pulling me closer and closer to a music ministry vocation coupled with my youth ministry. Over the past few weeks I've been becoming a little bit clearer on God's call in my life. 

One of my friends just recently told me that she loves to travel alone. It got me thinking about why I like traveling with people. People really shape who I am, and I cannot thank the friends I've had over the years enough for their parts in my life. Each and every one has brought me to a new understanding of who I am and where I stand. This summer has been no different. I have met some incredible people who have shaped my life for the better. I am really excited to end this summer knowing I have made a few lifelong friends. 

But the end is always the hardest part I suppose. I'm having a wonderful time now, but the end is the toughest part. There are times when I do wish I had more alone time but the truth is that at school (when I'm not with my lovely girlfriend or my awesome friends) I'll spend a lot more time alone than I have this summer. I will be back "traveling alone" I suppose. A lot of the kids here are traveling alone because they're looking for purpose and meaning in their lives, although they may not explicitly say so. It's interesting that small things in one's life can leave a lasting imprint long after that thing has passed, so in reality, no one ever really travels alone. We all have each other in spirit, and we all have our own lives to live. We must be lasting imprints for one another. 

Well, that's enough thoughtless musing from here. I'm going to bed. 

-Jeff

Challenges: Justiceworx Wk 5, Day 3

Today was a pretty good day at Enable. My work group is really coming together, which is sweet. Everyone is talking and forming relationships with the consumers as well as each other. I had the opportunity to play guitar for one of the consumers, and he really enjoyed it. Then in the afternoon we spoke with the consumers and were able to build some deeper bonds with them. It's great to see my work group flourishing like this. My family group seemed to open up a bit more today, too. We had a great conversation about some off-topic stuff. It was a great way for people to open up a bit more and really begin to feel comfortable with each other. It's a great part of the week when this begins to happen. 

This week we've faced a few different challenges as a staff. The biggest one is that during the mornings and night duty we do end up being understaffed because we had one of our volunteers drop on us (for a very good reason, my thoughts and prayers are with her right now). This provides a problem because we must keep in mind our own limitations physically and mentally sometimes. We've also had a few other logistical challenges in terms of time management things, but those are always present at Justiceworx. We try to run on schedule as best we can, but most of the time we run over (which, in actuality, isn't a bad thing all the time). 

Through all the challenges we as a staff become stronger and build bonds with one another that strengthen the week's overall power for the kids. I hope we can overcome these by the end of th week and finish off with a bang. Tomorrow is going to be an interesting day. 

-Jeff

Shhh!: Justiceworx Wk 5, Day 2

I'm pretty tired (already?!) so i'm going to just quickly write an update. 

-Work group began to open up. Family group is getting there slowly but surely. 

-Love the Monday evening activities. 

-May be going to Philly to visit friends this weekend 

-Didn't play frisbee today due to a fun game of Volleyball with the some of the kids and staff. 

-Understaffed this week. Thank goodness for the Casa friends. 

That's all from here tonight. Sayonara!

-Jeff

The Week off: July 12-19

This week has been a whirlwind of different things happening. Mary, Joel, Nick, Mop and I traveled to two different cities in three days and enjoyed every bit of it. On tuesday we went into Philadelphia so that we could see my university (SJU!) as well as a few other points of interest, mainly the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and Jim's Cheesesteaks on South Street. Mary and Nick were both impressed by Jim's and everything else, which made me very happy. We had a wonderful time together, the 5 of us (and steph stopped by, too) so it was some great quality time with the Casa friends. 

Wednesday and Thursday was more of the same except in NYC. We drove up wednesday night to visit Widian in her Queens apartment at Saint John's University (STJ, because St. Joe's bought SJU). Thursday we traipsed about NYC visiting a myriad of different places, including Time Square, Little Italy, Chinatown, SoHo, the MMoA, NBC Studios, Rockerfeller center, and other places I'm probably missing. At the end of the day i was so tired I refused to speak, but it was a great day. Steph M. came up thursday  night by train and so slept over at Wid's on friday. 

Friday during the day I had to leave the Casa friends because Tumnus and I were going to a friend's beach house so that we would have a place to stay for Brian's wedding that saturday. It was a beautiful service. Brian and his wife looked incredible on the alter together, and they certainly deserved all the love and support they got at the reception that night (obviously). The reception was most fun. We hung out with friends and had a great time laughing and basking in the glory of love between two incredible people. Very much congratulations to Brian and Kristen, and I hope they have a wonderful honeymoon!

So today we started back on Justiceworx. It was a pretty typical sunday: all the kids were awkward and hopefully we'll be able to break down some barriers of shyness tomorrow between the kids. Let's pray that'll happen. 

That's all from here. Will write tomorrow hopefully!

-Jeff

Justiceworx Wk 4, Days 6

What an incredible week. 

Ernie Gets Lost: Justiceworx Wk 4, Day 5

Today was just another outstanding day. I can't imagine a better way I could have spent today than with my work group at the Pre-School (save seeing my girlfriend, of course). The little ones today at the Pre-School were so much fun and so full of life. It makes me wonder how I was as a child and if I was as vibrant as these children are now. My mom always said I was well behaved, but I've always wondered if that translated into quiet. Either way, today was beautiful. In the afternoon we didn't have anything to do so my work group and I bonded with a few games of PIG and bowling. We also read "Ernie Gets Lost," which was a fun way for all of us to just laugh and act like kids again. 

Frisbee is always a good time back at the seminary and we had a great afternoon with the entire group. The staff this week have been rock stars and I'm so privileged to call them all my friends. The students this week really have showed great promise for the future in terms of getting change done. It's been an incredible week. 

I wish I wasn't as tired or else I would write more. Oh well. Have a happy tomorrow and I will write in here later!

-Jeff

Awesome: Justiceworx Wk. 4, Day 4

Today was an incredible day. At the pre-school we had an awesome time bonding and hanging out with the kids. Spending the morning outside was great. We're building so many different types of relationships with the kids. I was playing with one of them today and he called me "big brother." I think it was for the sake of the game we were playing but it still was great to be a big brother for once, considering all my life I've been a little brother. I also became an alien with one of the kids after she put all sorts of these bendy things on my head and arms. It was wonderful to play with the kids because they are all just so care-free. 

The work group bonded like crazy today. We played intense games of yellow car and pig, as well as had an awesome time sorting out this storage closet. We found some masks and costumes, put them on, and posed for pictures (of course.) One of the staff members came over and took our photo. I feel as if our work at the pre-school has been getting progressively more comfortable. Little kids aren't always the easiest to serve because they can be...well, little kids. It has been a good challenge this week getting to know them and our work group is finding ways to connect in ways we didn't connect in the past three days. 

Our activities today went well. The students seemed to have been very affected by our activity. This bodes well for future weeks because we have become very familiar to the activity to the point where we can pull it off almost flawlessly. Of course no program can be perfect, but it certainly makes an impact in a students life, and today was a very good impact for a lot of the students. 

Today was an awesome day. It's already thursday morning...I can't believe it. 

-Jeff

Two days in a few lines: Justiceworx wk 4, days 2 and 3

Here's a quick update: 

-Silent workgroup/family group begin to open up

-The group told stories at night after large group gifts and challenges, culminating in a group theme song

-One of the students at the Pre-school called me a "big-fat man," which was hilarious

-Staff members rule!!!

That's all. There's more but I need sleep. I'll write in here tomorrow!

-Jeff

That's the way God Works: Justiceworx Wk 4, Day 1

I didn't update the blog last week because I had some incredible times with the Casa friends. They are an incredible group of people and I really can't think of a better group of people than them to spend my entire summer with. I'm going to try and be as brief as possible with this post but a lot has happened. I finished a week of our middle school program Serviceworx, which turned out to be very enjoyable. The middle schoolers did a very good job with what he had to offer them, and they really seemed to take the lessons we taught to heart. I thank God that I was given His grace last week to let Him work through me. It was a tough week. 

Friday was the three year anniversary of when my mom passed away. I was fortunate enough to have someone cover my shift on Serviceworx so that I could attend a memorial mass for my mom. I sat with my whole family and felt as if I was in the right place with them. It was tough leaving the middle schoolers for a morning but very worth it. I was able to see my Colombian relatives for a good portion of the day and spend time with my dad. Then at Serviceworx I was able to spend time with friends and minister. Mass was the culmination of the day's ministering and then we went home to the Casa. God certainly took me under his wing last Friday, and I am forever grateful for that. 

Saturday we all went to the beach. It was an incredible time and a great way to end the week. The Casa friends all had a wonderful swim in the water as well as a great game of football. I had a Belgian Waffle with Ice Cream on top, so needless to say I was satisfied. It was the first time in three years I actually had a pretty good weekend with people on the Fourth of July. I love every second of it. 

Today's first day of J-worx went well. The kids seem eager to go, but also sort of awkward. I suppose that's how everyone is the first day. Hopefully I'll be updating more for you guys this week. 

-Jeff

Comments: Justiceworx Wk 2, Days 5 & 6

The final two days this week went very well. Both days of work at Enable were incredible. My work group did such a good job with the consumers. On thursday we had an hour long dance party with the consumers. It was a wonderful time because we were able to dance and see them really letting loose all over Enable. All of my volunteers were sad to leave, but they also were empowered to come back at some point and volunteer there again. It really made me proud to see my volunteers become passionate about the people at Enable. 

Today at Enable we watched a tv spot that Enable, one of my volunteers and I had done last year. It was on some obscure TV station called Ebru TV. It turned out pretty well, but it was really weird watching myself on TV. It was also really weird because Ebru TV didn't really film a typical day at Enable. We were told last year that we couldn't play games or play music, which are two huge parts of the Enable experience. The consumers shined on TV though, and that made me happy. The show did a good job profiling them before Kevin (the volunteer) and me. 

These last two days seemed like a blur. This whole week seemed like a blur. I remember doing the skit on Sunday night and explaining to them all the rules. Now I have to say goodbye to all of them tomorrow. I think most of them got the message, though. I have to try and stop placing myself at the center of events at Justiceworx. In family groups or work groups or whatever I tend to make myself the center of attention for some reason.  I need to work on ministering the message of our week and not just fluff it up for the students. My gift is my personality, my challenge is controlling it. 

These last two days were awesome. Tomorrow will be bittersweet, but boy, do I need sleep. 

-Jeff

Justiceworx Wk 2, Day 4

So today was a pretty good day. We did the justice activity and it was certainly an improvement from last week. That being said, improvements need to be made on all sorts of areas. The kids seemed to like the presentation and talk given by Brian, so that made up for whatever the activity may have lacked. 

Tomorrow my work group gets to run the activities at Enable. I'm really excited!! In the morning we're running a bracelet making activity as well as a finger painting one. Then after lunch we're going to try and have an hour long music/dance party extravaganza. I just finished burning the CD for it. It should be awesome!! I'm really proud of my work group this week. They've come together nicely. 

I gotta head to bed now, but I promise there will be a video blog by the end of the week. I hope you are doing well in cyberland! Have a wonderful tomorrow!

-Jeff

Night Duty: Justiceworx Wk 2, Day 3

Today was a good day at Enable. We strolled in at 9am and were parsoned off to our different groups. I played a little bit of Beatles music for a consumer named Carol who loves the Beatles, then I painted with some of the kids in my group and some consumers. It was great. Then we had an excellent lunch discussion. We talked about how God factored into their lives and how they could own up to their own beliefs in God. After lunch we went back in Enable and split off into groups again. I ended up playing Monopoly with the Beatles loving consumer against a staff member, volunteer, and another consumer. We ended up losing in the end, but just that share of community with the consumer I was paired with was nice. 

I gave the staff talk about my relationship with God. It's interesting reflecting on the progression of my own beliefs from high school to college age. I talked about how I was so set on how God judges people that I almost blinded myself from other perspectives. After some tough personal events I ended up re-imagining my belief in God with the help of SJU and my theological instruction. I think the kids got a lot out of my talk (at least I hope they did). 

At the moment I'm on night duty. We basically walk around the boys dormitory in pairs and make sure they aren't doing anything too crazy before bed. We check to make sure they're in bed and sleeping. Tonight has been interesting because the boys were pretty up and at 'em, even though half of them talked about how tired they were, etc., during gifts and challenges today. 

I love Justiceworx even though the boys don't listen to the nighty duty people. It's so classic high school. One wants to be cool in front of their peers so they act tough in front of the college kids with the power. They also could just be not tired. Oh well. Either way night duty's always fun because we get to stay up a bit later and talk to each other as leaders. It's nice to hang out with the other guys here. I really need to find more guy friends, although the ones I have now are incredible (love you all!)

That's it from here. Have a wonderful tomorrow!

-Jeff

Service group: Justiceworx Wk 2, Day 2

It was a great day today. I hadn't volunteered at my site in about a year and today it felt as if I had only left it for a few weeks. While the administration looked a little different, all the "consumers" (people we're serving) were the same. The building was the same and the feeling was the same as it was last year. I never thought I would be this happy serving at this specific place, and yet it all makes sense. I love people and meeting people and entertaining people, and this is the perfect place to do it, not because the consumers won't judge you, but because the group of people here take people outside of their comfort zone and force us to be better people just by their own actions. They act in such a way that their appreciation is almost palpable. 

Today I began leading my service group to a place where adults with mental disabilities participate in various activities such as arts and crafts, board games, and music playing. Our service is to basically have fun all day with some of the most fun loving, carefree people in the world. I cannot think of any words to describe just how seemingly impossible these people love new company. Looking at their faces and seeing the difference our presence makes to them is enough for me, but I know that these people have given me lessons I cannot repay them for. I only provide music and they have provided me with a deeper appreciation for those who are considered different and outcast because of it. They love everyone in such an incredible way that it seems to me we should learn how to love from them. 

My group of students this week is great, too. I know most of them from previous years and they all are so fun to be around. They all enjoyed the first day of work and I'm hoping that they can keep the same energy they had today and move through the week with it. We have to plan a day of activities for the "consumers"on thursday, but I think that they can figure that out. We'll figure it out together. 

I'm excited for a great week.

-Jeff

PS: Video Blog soon! Stay tuned!

Share the Well: Wk1, day 6

Yesterday was the last day of the first week of Justiceworx. We had a good closing prayer service and did something that we've  never done before in the history of Justiceworx: we involved the parents! It was a great ending to a good week. Our staff meeting focused on tweeking the obvious flaws in some things in the week, so that was good. Then the Casa friends plus Tumnus went up to New Hope, PA for Mop's "surprise" 21st birthday party! Turns out that it wasn't much of a surprise for Mop: She already knew about it. The Michiganders were there for the actual surprise; tumnus, Joel and I showed up a little late. It was a great time to get away from the Casa for a while and hang out somewhere else. It was at a really nice winery. We ate and had fellowship with Mop and her family. It was a really really great. Then Tumnus and I drove over to Mop's house to hang out with her and a few of her friends. Met some people from Temple, Gwenyd, and other colleges around SJU. We watched youtube and such, per usual. It was a good night. 

I ended up back at my house around 11. Turns out my relatives from Colombia were staying at my house for the past week. I wasn't able to sleep in my bed, so I hung out downstairs and watched TV. The new True Blood was awesome and Speed Racer  has always been a fun movie. In the morning I talked with my Uncle Ricardo who I had not seen in 13 years. He's my godfather and, again, I haven't seen him 13 years. It's tough sometimes thinking about how much of my family I don't know. I wish that I hadn't been so stuck up when I was younger and hunkered down to get to know my relatives. But I suppose for every decision God has a plan, so we'll see what God has in store for me. 

Either way, it was awesome speaking with him, my cousin Juan David, and my Tia Bernarda. All three of them are incredible people, and I'm so happy that we are all related. I hope that I can continue seeing them more often. Hopefully I can see them this upcoming weekend and July 3rd. Only time and work will tell. 

That's all from here in the Night Duty Room. The first day of my Justiceworx began today! I'm so excited! Everything went really well. I hope that the week shapes up well because we have an awesome group of kids. Our evening prayer went off well and all the activities the kids seemed to be into. I feel good about the week. 

More tomorrow night. Maybe this time it'll be a little earlier than midnight. Good night, and have a wonderful tomorrow. 

-Jeff

The Casa Friends: Justiceworx Wk1, Day 5

Today was another great day for us. I can't believe how quickly these people who I just met a week ago are becoming my good friends. It's crazy how that happens so quickly. We hung out this morning in the casa and planned out some of the evening's activities. I was Alex Trebek tonight, the only catch was that underneath my suit I was wearing a superman costume. It was a sweet exit after Justiceworx Jeopardy. The Jeopardy piece went pretty well, though it was tough. The kids got really into it and screamed incredibly loud to be heard. It was a huge wall of sound when they buzzed in because they all wanted to win so badly. Everybody came up to me after the game and asked "how were you able to do that?" Takes practice, I suppose. 

We decided that since Saturday's a bit different than the rest of the week, we'd be going to the Seminary around 10. This'll give us a good amount of time to get ready and wake up haha. This week I've been waking up around 10! It's really a miracle that I"m sleeping that late. Then again, I'm also staying up late so it evens itself out. Probably from writing on this thing every night. 

The closing prayer service had the same feeling as last years. The kids, even though they had a different experience than previous years, seemed somber as we ended the week out with a final theme song. This week was very different than I had ever seen as a participant or as a leader. That's what happens when we're on our own, I suppose. WE have to adapt to our new surroundings and make best of what we're given. 

I hope the kids got a lot out of the week. We gave them time to plan out initiatives that they could impliment in school. There were some really really good ideas and I hope that the kids really do what they say they'll do. Only time will tell though. 

Time for bed. I hope you all have a wonderful tomorrow!

-Jeff

How do you know when to stop?: Justiceworx wk1, day 5

Today was a good day. I woke up at around 9:30 and made myself some breakfast and hung out with the Casa friends in the morning. We took the painters' tape off of the wood borders around the room. Then I went to pick Sean up from the train station and came back only to hang out some more. I'm getting deeper into my book Everything is Illuminated, and it's really good. Then Mop, Nick, Mary and I drove over to the seminary and hung out there for the afternoon. I helped wash the stove in the kitchen and cleaned some other stuff, then went to hang out with Brian's family group. Then I partook in the evening's activities with the staff and kids and it really was a good day. The theme was "My response," and we had them take an injustice that they put on a ceramic tile in the morning and smash it with a hammer. We'll use these tiles to create crosses to decorate the walls of the Casa. 

I had a very good conversation with Brian after the kids went to sleep. We were standing in the game room playing ping pong and we started talking. For some reason we got on the topic of me and he began to evaluate me in a very honest way. He tells it like it is and I appreciate him for that. He acts as a mirror to my actions and allows me to better reflect on how I should act around the kids. 

From this conversation I realized how much growing I have to do in ministry. I need to begin to return to the roots of where my love for youth ministry began and try and bring those forward. To quote the Gospel of John, "He must increase, I must decrease." I must be a vehicle for Christ's love, not a resounding gong. I must bring these kids to Christ, not be Christ for them. 

It was a good day today. I hope I can keep these days going. 

-Jeff

PS: I found an interesting volunteering opportunity after graduation. It's called Heart's Home and it seems like a worthy program to volunteer at. The website is here, just click on it!

Cheer up, Emo Kid: Justiceworx wk1, Day 4

So today was an interesting day. We really didn't do much in the casa except hang around. I woke up at ten which was nice from the previous night because it meant that I got about ten hours of sleep. Anyway because I woke up at ten I didn't really have to worry about having breakfast and so I had some left over Conte's pizza. After eating that Sean came in and hung out for a bit with us before he and his friend Pete went over to NYC. I was enlisted to drive his car back to the Casa since I was the only one who knew how to drive stick. While we were out I decided to have Burger King, and realized after finishing my burger king that I had eaten two lunches. Ick. 

It's weird realizing that I eat a lot more than I need to. There's no reason to eat as much as I do but yet I seem to like to eat a lot. When I'm bored I eat, when I'm full I even eat. I know I shouldn't eat this much but when I stress about it I eat. It's a really really weird thing because there's nothing wrong with eating (obviously, we need it to live), but I just eat too much. A goal for this summer then has to be figuring out why I eat so much and what drives me to eat as much as I do. 

Anywho, Justiceworx went well today. The theme today was "God Wants," and we did a different wednesday activity than we usually do for the kids and it went fairly well. They seemed to get something out of it, and hopefully for the rest of the week we can flesh out some possible ways in which they can respond to their own environments. I love that we drive home the fact of God wanting justice to the kids. I think it's such a lynchpin of everything that I do as a Catholic-Christian. 

I hope you all are having a good week in cyberland! I put up a videobar on the side but I don't know if you can see my videos alone or other Youtube videos. Either way check them out! I'll be posting more video blogs now that I know how to do it. 

See ya around!

-Jeff

ZOMBIES!: Justiceworx wk1, day 3

I really love my community. And I love what we are becoming. Enjoy the Vlog!

Suzy Homemaker: Justiceworx, Wk 1, Day 2

So today was a great day at the Casa. We were able to wake up around nine because Sean wasn't going to be here until 10 AM. So we all got up and waited for him to show up, but he didn't show up until around 11:30 because he was caught up at the bank taking care of business. Sean's good at doing that, and I guess he has to be. After all, he is the founder of the Center for Faith Justice. 

Anyway Sean arrived and we started to get to work on the prayer garden outside of the Casa. It was overrun with weeds and general grossness, so Nick, Mary, MOP and I began the process of de-weeding it. We found two turtles among the brush, and I found that weeding is much easier with a weed whacker, especially an old school one. After about an hour of that we came in for lunch and talked. IT's great living in community with people again. I feel like I do better when this happens because it keeps me honest. Living in community is about being honest because if one isn't, then the community is hurt by it. Everyone living here has to be their best all the time for each other and for the kids we serve. 

Anywho after we finished lunch Mary and I went and washed Joel's clothes. I know what you're thinking: why did you do that? Well, Joel's on Justiceworx this week, and because we do not have access to the part of the building where the washers and driers are, we can't do laundry. So he gave me access to his car (a BMW 3-series) and his laundry. The laundry was washed  at a laundromat and dried back here at the Casa. After waiting a while for his clothes to dry I made my way over to the Seminary to hang out with the kids at Justiceworx. 

Today's theme was "We are," and it was communicated very well, better than in passed years I think. We had an incredible activity thought up by the one and only Chris Davidson and it really pushed the kids to their limits. That isn't supposed to happen on the first day! Then we had a very well thought out prayer service. It was an awesome day and I can already see some kids coming out of their shell this week. I can't wait to see how it unfolds. 

Tomorrow brings new things, and as always you will see a new blog post! Unfortunately this is the only week I'm going to be blogging every day because I have the time. After this week it'll be weekly (pending on time and energy). I hope you all are well! 

-Jeff

PS: I hope there's no rain tomorrow. Ultimate Frisbee is calling my name. 

Justiceworx: Wk 1, Day 1

Today marked the first day of the Justiceworx program! I didn't really realize how much I had missed Justiceworx until the time crept closer and closer to its beginning. Even though I'm not actually on the team this week, being in the presence of the team and the high school kids really just made me feel so at home. It's a magical feeling to know how everything during a year leads up to one point that makes that year. Justiceworx has always done that for me. 

This first day was different from other sundays because we used it as more of an introspective day for the kids. We broke them up into family groups and work groups. Family groups are the groups they meet with most at Justiceworx. They get to know the group better than their work group, although sometimes it's the other way around.   The theme was "I am" and we had them reflect on the parable of the talents Jesus told in the gospel. We also had them reflect on the theme "I am" and  on the parable of the talents Jesus told in the gospel. We also had them light a candle for an ability they wish to take on in order to make them be themselves more this week. 

In comparison to other Justiceworx experiences I felt that this was a good way to start off the week. Sunday empowers the kids to see the talents they have and value them as ways to bring people closer together as people of one earth. But, it's only the beginning, and the whole week will be highlighted! 

Check back this week, we'll have weekly updates! That's all from here. See you tomorrow!

-Jeff

PS:  We made a skit explaining the rules using tennis balls tied on a string and the song "Circle of Life." I'll let you fill in the details.  

Biscuit City twenty song spree all over the world!

If you want to know what that title means, it refers to Chris Davidson Rock Band in Rock Band 2. We had a good 20 song marathon tonight, which was pretty sweet. I blog late tonight in the Casa, our new place of residence. Thank goodness it's not as creepy as the seminary was at night. The funny thing is I'm know the seminary wasn't haunted, and I'm pretty sure this place is. It must be the close quarters that gives me a sense of security because I know that if I get scared I'll be able to run upstairs at a very quick pace. 

Today was great! Mop and I showed Nick and Mary around Princeton. We had Hoagie Haven, which is probably the best hoagie shop around the Princeton area if not in New Jersey. One Jon Stewart travels back to Princeton (his home town) in order to eat one of the sandwiches from hoagie haven. It really is worth the hype, so if you have never had a hoagie (ie: sub) from Hoagie Haven, get yourself down to Nassau Street and order one! It's delish. 

We also visited our place of work: SJ Seminary. It's closing after this summer, so we're bummed about that. It's no fun, but the Casa is actually pretty nice. Everybody seemed really impressed with it, and with all of the work that Brian, Chris, and Joel put in, it turned out awesome. 

Well, my screen has currently gone purple, so I'm going to stop blogging. I need to take my mac to the mac store even though it's only 2 months old. I wonder if this is from wear and tear? Not sure. I hope it's ok =(

Will post ASAP!

-Jeff

New Place, New Year...Leaderworx 2009

This blog chronicles my personal experiences with the Leaderworx this year. It was much harder to write a reflection about the year last year without having a place where I could dump my thoughts in. So hopefully this will end up being that place. 

I'm going to try blogging once a week so that you all in the world wide web will be able to understand what it's like working here. It'll be like nothing anyone can ever understand unless he or she experiences the work. From past experiences, I know that it can certainly turn out that way. Working 100 hour weeks trying to teach high schoolers about Catholic Social Teaching ends up unexplainable (usually), but we shall see. We have a new volunteer living space this year separate from the seminary where Justiceworx takes place. This will add a new dynamic to the work. 

Well, that's all for now. I'll keep you posted on the happenings of the next few days, but when it comes time for Justiceworx, it'll be a weekly thing. 

Peace, 

-Jeff