Facebook: Blessing or Curse?

Many may have their rants about the social media, how it is bringing down IQ levels or lowering our youth's ability to communicate and interact with the world around them or even endangering our youth.  And most of these rants are centered around truth.  We should be cautious and protective of our youth today, especially in a society that seems to forget them.  I, myself, even tend to forget the goods of the Internet and the social media.


It wasn't until two days ago, when I found out some heart-wrenching news, that I realized the great gift that the social media is.  


It was through Facebook that I realized that a friend of mine from my years at Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, had recently and suddenly passed away.  This, of course, came as a complete shock to me, considering he was so very young, having just graduated from college.  


But not only did the social media, Facebook in this case, relay this information of my friend Tyler's death; it also showed me and the internet world how wonderful a life Tyler lived.  Immediately, stories of his life and prayers for him and his family flooded Tyler's facebook page.  An opportunity for persons to say "see you later" and "see you in the Eucharist" and reminisce on the great gift Tyler was to them was now made possible through the internet. 

It was then that I realized how beautiful God's gifts to us are...including Facebook. 

May we all learn this day not only to use the gifts God has given us but to use them well and for His greater glory.  After all, for what else but this were we created?


May God continue to bless you today and always. 
Happy Monday!

Posted by: Jared R.

Go out and get it!

Hello, faithful blog viewers!


     Well, you may have caught me. This Sunday blog is technically being written on Monday morning. And even this sentence is not completely true because this blog is not written, it is typed. Despite these many contradictions, I hope this blog brings life and refreshment to you in this desert of a liturgical season.


     I have but one challenge for you this day. But it needs not end today (and it shouldn't considering this blog was written tomorrow...yeah, ain't that something?).
And the challenge is this:

Do what you love, and do it well.

I was inspired to write this blog by the following video:

     What a beautiful message by Carrie Underwood, a woman with an incredible gift, who chose to praise God with the very gifts He gave her. And how even more beautiful it is that she would share it with all of the world. Once again, I urge you to be not afraid. The Lord is prepared to do INCREDIBLE things with you. It's simple: let Him.

Learn to be persistent like that of Russell:

Your Advent Is Showing...

    Advent means many things to many persons. 

    And it seems that one must know what this word means to them in order to fully participate in this great season. So, we've decided to find out first hand what the men in formation here at the Salesian House have to say about Advent. May it not only bring about a greater love and understanding for the Advent season but also a great joy in the anticipation that is Advent. 

   Be sure to check in as many men will be giving their own views on the Advent season.

Where's your shoes?

   Today we celebrate the feast of St. Nicholas, the saint we associate with Santa Clause. Typically, we like to think about all the gifts that God has given us and the things that we can do for others during this approaching holiday season.

   But my question today is: what is in your bag? What is in the sac of gifts thrown over your shoulder? For this is what is important. We cannot know how we are to give if we do not know what it is we have. Thus, I encourage all of us today to pray about what gifts the Lord has given us to build up those around us. Then, let us bring those gifts! Let us go! Let us mission! May we not be a passive people!

St. Nicholas, pray for us.

PRACTICE! PRACTICE! PRACTICE!

   As our formation into the Salesian community continues, we are constantly being made aware of the gifts the Lord has given us. And, even more, we are furthering the gifts we are already aware of. To do this, we are practicing. Some of us are practicing by rapping and singing, others are breakdancing and doing other tricks, others are practicing instruments. We are a house of practice.
   Just last night, a few of us had our music practice for the next Visitation which happens to be Next Friday, November 18th. Make sure to try to come out. There will be Eucharistic Adoration and fellowship to follow! All of this will go down at the Marian Shrine in Port Chester, NY. You don't want to miss it!
(Be sure to check our previous blogs for more information on the Visitation.)

Check out this clip from the movie Coach Carter as a reflection while we attempt to use the gifts God has given us to their proper end--to give Him praise.
We are children of the light! We are made to shine!

Posted by: Jared R.