Goodbye

Well, my wonderful wonders of the world, the time has come...

It is with a bittersweet feeling that I say goodbye to you as your Coordinator of Youth Ministries here at St. John's. I have been offered my dream job down the hill at St. John's School to join the fabulous team of literature teachers, so while I will be relinquishing my role among you as the youth minister, I'll still be close by.

It has been a wonderful few years with you amazing people, teaching and learning alongside you. I can't tell you how much it meant to me to feel so welcome during my time with you, and to have been a part of such a loving, intelligent, and compassionate group of kids and adult volunteers. Thank you for everything, and I will never forget you.

Always for the glory of God!

Ceci Galvin

CYM, St. John the Evangelist, 2016-2018

C'est L'amour

Ah, the age-old question of romance. What's ok? What's not ok? Are our relationships just pinned on societal norms that need to be changed? Are we losing the societal norms from the olden days that used to make romance magical?

One thing is for sure: something is different. Things aren't the way they were. I remember having a conversation with my dad years ago about what life was like in the dating scene "back in the day." I remember him telling me that people have been saying that no - it wasn't as different as we were making it out to be: we just know more now than we did then.

He rolled his eyes. Because yes. It is different.

Life moves a lot faster now than it did. We're not in the 50's anymore. Even the free love of the 60's and 70's is completely and totally different from the iAge and eAge we live in now. Everything is different. Some say it's better. Most say it's not.

If we're being honest with ourselves, we have to stop and smell the roses. We have to look up from our phones and tilt our heads to the side and wonder to ourselves whether or not we're being better people. It's hard to ask yourself the big questions, like: "Is this changing me for the better?" or "Am I supposed to be in a relationship right now?"

Whoa. Bleh. Who wants to deal with that anyways? Isn't that like...'down-the-road' stuff?

One thing is for sure, the more we value ourselves--really and truly-- the more we know to ask these questions. And the more honest we'll be with ourselves when we answer them. When we really look at our lives, even in this society and this time period, we should be asking ourselves how we're going to be better, from every experience. Even bad breakups. Even crushes that go nowhere.

Be a gentleman. Be a lady. Own yourself and remember that you're worth more than what most people are willing to throw at you these days. Real romance makes you happier, healthier, and holier (as Bishop Loverde used to say). And true love, of course, is what everyone in the world is shooting for. Don't settle for anything less.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails."

~ 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Much love!
Ceci Galvin
CYM, St. John the Evangelist

Arguing 101

A few years ago, I remember having a conversation with a 4th grader about how deeply unfair it was that her friend would play tag with her, but then refuse to acknowledge that she had been tagged. This was a 20 minute conversation that was honestly one of the most passionate debates I'd ever witnessed.

We like to think of "arguments" as this specific visual we get from the movies: with people screaming and throwing things and crying in the corner. But I also remember standing in the classroom of a bunch of fifth graders who were begging me to teach them how to argue. 

It was hilarious.

These guys got the idea: arguing is the presentation of ideas. And it's particularly important to understand that your ideas might not get adopted by the other side. (THAT point was a little harder to get the 5th graders to understand, but hey, there are a lot of us who have a hard time with that...myself included.)

Today, it's assumed that we argue about things that carry a little more weight. And that's what we covered tonight: arguing for the right causes. Arguing the right way. And arguing with the resolution to learn something - about others, about ourselves - is the right way to argue. Heck...to live.

Strengthen your resolve, guys. Argue with those whom you love: in order to discover things that will help us all be better people. And always remember that this is what we're here for - to make each other better, and to be better ourselves.

"Let us then pursue what leads to peace and to building up one another."

~ Romans 14:19

Much love,

Ceci Galvin

CYM, St. John the Evangelist

The Great Debate

I like having you guys debate things. It's always interesting to me to see how people do when told to research the opposing side. Especially if they are vehemently opposed to the side they're researching.

I know being staunchly on your side is all the rage these days, what with anyone and everyone getting offended about everything (and, let's be real, some pretty offensive stuff going on out there), but there's also that crazy little notion of asking "why?"

Why does the other side think this? Why aren't they budging? Without focusing on what it is they're saying: why are they saying it?

There's a great quote floating around out there for all your writers who love a good villain. It goes something like this (paraphrasing): "You'll never understand a villain until you know why he is the hero in his own mind."

Everyone is going to see themselves as the one who is right. The more informed one. The more compassionate one. The more intelligent one. Whatever it is - just about everyone you meet is going to feel this way about themselves, particularly when dealing with those really deep dark issues that no one seems to be able to agree on. There's a whole lot of finger-pointing and pontificating and backstabbing and mudslinging, and a lot less actual conversation or change than we would like to think.

Because to our side, the other side is villainous. But it's doubtful they're over there just wringing their hands, cackling, and hoping the world goes up in smoke. Whatever misinformed or untruthful stance they have, it's because it's rooted a deep conviction - a belief system that it's very likely we know nothing about. And within that belief system, it's actually us who are the villains.

If we never take the time to understand why they do what they do, how can we expect them to change? By wagging our finger at them a lot until they're so guilty they break down and conform? Doesn't seem to work very well. But seeing where they come from - not as a means of overhauling our own beliefs, but as a ways to understand them as our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ - THAT is what will change the world.
34

"Become sober as you ought and stop sinning. For some have no knowledge of God; 

I say this to your shame."

1 Corinthians 15:34

Much love,
Ceci Galvin
CYM, St. John the Evangelist