I have been contacted by representatives of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, who inform me that they are sponsoring four events this summer in cities along the Mississippi River, called Rock the River Tour.
That They May All
Be One
Archbishop John C. Nienstedt
The last event is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 16, on Harriet Island from 2:30 to 9 p.m. Franklin Graham, son of the famous preacher, will be present and speak at three different points in the program. Several popular Christian bands will play. The organizers tell me that “the music is the message.” The program is aimed at junior and senior high school students.
Archbishop Nienstedt's Calendar
» Tuesday-Thursday, July 27-29: Participating in an episcopal ongoing formation leadership session conducted by the Catholic Leadership Institute in Charlotte, N.C.
» Sunday, Aug. 1:10:30 a.m., St. Paul, Macalester College: Closing Mass for Steubenville North 2010.
» Tuesday, Aug. 3: 8:30 a.m., St. Paul, Archbishop’s Residence: Scheduling meeting with staff.
1:30 p.m., St. Paul, Chancery: Archbishop’s Council meeting.
» Wednesday, Aug. 4: 2 p.m., St. Paul, Chancery: Catholic Services Appeal study committee.
» Friday, Aug. 6: 10 a.m., St. Paul, Chancery: Archbishop Harry Flynn’s 50th anniversary fundraising committee meeting.
» Saturday, Aug. 7: 5 p.m., Lino Lakes, Church of St. Joseph: Sunday liturgy.
» Sunday, Aug. 8: 10:30 a.m., Maplewood, Church of St. Jerome: Sunday liturgy and luncheon celebrating the parish’s 70th anniversary.
» Monday, Aug. 9: 6 p.m., West St. Paul, Church of St. Joseph: Dinner with rectory residents.
» Tuesday, Aug. 10: 7:30 a.m., St. Paul, The St. Paul Seminary: Mass and breakfast meeting with the St. Paul’s Outreach board of directors for the School of the New Evangelization.
» Thursday, Aug. 12: 9 a.m., St. Paul, Chancery: Meeting of the Caleb Club.
Volunteers needed
I have been assured that there will be no attempt to proselytize young
people into an evangelical church. Each person will be encouraged to
make contact with his or her church affiliation, whether current or
lapsed.
Volunteers are needed to counsel the youth who will be present toward a deeper conversion of faith.
Volunteer training will take place on April 30 through May 2 at five
locations around the archdiocese (Arden Hills, New Hope, Minneapolis,
Maplewood, Apple Valley).
For more information, please contact Mr. Bill Dill of our archdiocesan
Office of Marriage, Family and Life at (651) 291-4553 or e-mail him at
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. Youth leaders are also invited to a luncheon at the
Crowne Plaza Hotel in St. Paul on Friday, April 24, from 11:30 a.m. to
1 p.m.
What motivates the organizers is their desire to reach out to the
least-churched generation in our nation’s history. They state they are
not coming to take from our religious communities, but to invest in our
youth. They want our young people to be excited for the Gospel of
Christ!
The ecumenical nature of this gathering could be beneficial for our
youth. I hope parish groups that attend will provide sufficient
chaperones to not only watch out for our youth, but to also share the
convictions of their faith with them. I suspect this experience could
have a benefit on youth and adults alike. God bless you!
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