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A Word From the Associate&
Making History
On a recent vacation I found myself for a few minutes before the TV, watching Fox News, a channel which I don't regularly receive at home. I was enjoying the experience of catching news almost as it occurred. For example they would say, "Breaking news from California, where our reporter Dan So and So, is on the scene as a monstrous fire devours several row houses in the San Francisco bay area." Then we would be transported to a live video coverage of the scene, with fire trucks, ambulances, and the whole event unfolding before our eyes. Within a few minutes we were back to the House of Representatives for a filibuster, as democratic and republican parties battled over a heated issue. And along the way, the viewers were tantalized by an upcoming scene of Geraldo Rivera interviewing Chairman Arafat, recently released from his confinement in Ramallah, an interview "only Fox News" would broadcast. The quick scene of Geraldo, with microphone, standing almost nose-to-nose with Arafat, captured my curiosity, such that I couldn't turn the station until I heard the whole story. I felt like I was being subtly seduced into a hypnotic state of prolonged news viewing. For the first time I realized that this could be another possible addictive activity: just watching the news all day long. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the fact that global communication has developed to the point where I can hear about events all over the world, in a matter of minutes. And I believe it is important to keep up with the news, as a committed citizen and minister to one's neighbor. I wouldn't say it's necessary for salvation, and probably most of us have far less time than we would like, to read the newspaper or catch the evening news. Still, my little experience led me to contemplate the difference between the life of a couch potato and a servant of the common good. I think God would rather that we made history, than watched it go by.
Fr. Michael Becker
Youth Newz&
All peer ministers who have completed their certification and registered to participate in Camp TNT this summer, are REQUIRED to attend orientation on Wednesday, May 22, from 6:00-9:00pm at St. John the Baptist in New Brighton. Please call 651-633-8333 for directions to St. John's
Parents of sixth graders should have received a letter from Mark Klein regarding opportunities available to youth this summer and next fall. Also included is a short "Youth Introduction Form" sixth graders are asked to fill out and return to Mark by June 1. If you have any questions, or did not receive this mailing, please call Mark Klein 763-754-7666.
Browsing the "web"? Be sure to check out www.theyouthroom.com for photos of youth activities, news of upcoming events, permission slips and more!
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