TYME OUT Blogs!

by Margie Lang

This is my 9th summer at TYME OUT and it truly is a different kind of summer.  This is the first summer that we are not offering summer camp.  It was a very tough decision for us to stop offering this program.  It had been a part of TYME OUT for over half of the 30 years of TYME OUT”s existence. 

It was usually right around this time that the first camp would be beginning.  Perhaps it would be theater camp or writing camp, or soccer camp or art camp; whatever the theme, the dynamic at TYME OUT would change for the 7 or 8 weeks of camp tyme!  Our mission during these weeks of camp would be the same: Helping each child reach their full potential.

I understand the decision to no longer offer camp, in fact I was part of that decision making process.  However, I miss the laughter that filled the halls, the wake-up calls, the campfire smores, the clean dorm awards.  I miss all the people that we only got to see in the summer, camp staff, campers, camp coordinators.  To those summer people who no longer grace our halls, I say thank you for all of the years of camp.  You are not here, but we haven’t forgotten.  Peace.

(Above, Youth Ministers always surrounded by Youth!)

by Margie Lang

As you know this year is TYME OUT’s 30th anniversary.  For 30 years, our mission has been centered around youth.  However, I think we help those who work with youth as much as we help youth.  This is proven when you talk with some of the youth ministers from the Milwaukee Archdiocese.  Here are some comments from Jim and Kathy Martin, the directors of the Burlington Life Teen Program, and the high school program for the Catholic community of Burlington.

“The retreats that we participate in, through TYME OUT are the pinnacle of our Confirmation preparation program.  We cannot recommend the Confirmation retreats more highly.  These Spirit directed retreats are major turning points in the faith journey of the teens.  Each year the teens have been reluctant to attend, yet all of them come out of that weekend more appreciative of their Catholic faith and with a deeper relationship with Christ.  The TYME OUT center touches the lives of teens in ways that other programs can’t.  We have been involved in other programs that did not utilize TYME OUT, and the difference is clearly noticeable for us and the teens.  TYME OUT offers a turn key program that allows the retreat directors and our small group leaders the opportunity to minister to the kids, instead of having to worry about the million other necessary things going on behind the scenes.  The world is a noisy and messy place, filled with things that pull teens away from Christ.  TYME OUT offers a weekend where the teens can disconnect from the garbage of the world and reconnect with the faith that is the foundation of life.”

Yes, we are dedicated to the faith formation and character development of youth, but we also work to make sure that the ministers at the parish level have what they need to accomplish the work of the Lord. 

We would like to thank the Youth Ministers over the past 30 years who have brought the youth of their parish to us for retreats.  As we continue to empower the youth of the Milwaukee Archdiocese to reach the fullness of their potential as individuals created in God’s image, we will also continue to partner with the youth ministers who have placed their trust in us.  Thank you, and we look forward to many more years of helping Youth and Youth Ministers. 

We are all set to welcome the 300 + youth and adults to the halls of TYME OUT for the 10th annual Faith-a-thon.  These pictures are from last year and show you the flavor of the day.  It is always exciting and fun for everyone. 

This year we are excited to have Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki, join us for the last hour of Faith-a-thon on Friday, May 14th.   He will be part of the final game and lead us all in prayer.  I will blog next week or so and tell you all of all the wonderful days we are sure to have.

Peace,

Margie

I know how excited you all are to know what we are going to auction off at SpringTYME, on May 7th.  We are excited to share this with you.  Just click, live-auction-items10-mailed.pdf and you can see the 10 exciting items that we will be auctioning off.  If you cannot attend that night but would like to bid on one of the items, just call Kathy, 262-966-1800, and let me know what your top bid will be.  Bid now and bid often

Kathy Wisnefski

Development Director

It’s been said that the average preschooler laughs about 400 times a day while the typical grown-up only laughs about 15 times a day!!! Wow, what a difference.  On our retreats, we have a prayer where we ask the students where they find God.  Usually one person in the group says laughter, and I would totally agree.  Laughter is so important.  It decreases stress levels, boosts our immune system, and increases endorphins.  These are all very positive health benefits but I think laughter helps solidify that bond between people.  For most of us, our close friends are people we’ve shared moments of laughter where tears are streaming down our face and our tummies ache from laughing so hard.  Those are the moments when you feel grateful for having that person in your life.  That is God being present.

We all need to bring a little more laughter to our lives.  There is a new type of yoga called Laughter Yoga.  It’s a group of people that get together to laugh, and the crazy part is that the laughing doesn’t have be real laughter.  Don’t believe me?  Check out this link http://thelevityinstitute.com/laughter-yoga/what-is-laughter-yoga/

I would encourage all of us to take a little more time to laugh during the day whether it be real or fake.  As Mary H. Waldrip said, “A laugh is a smile that bursts.”  I’ve also included a few cheesy jokes to help us in our laughter.  Enjoy!

Two antennas met on a roof, fell in love and got married.
The ceremony wasn’t much, but the reception was excellent.
What do you call a nun who sleepwalks?  A Roman Catholic.

Why did the turtle cross the road?  To get to the shell station

Why does it take longer to run from 2^nd base to 3^rd base than 1^st base to 2^nd base?  Because there’s a shortstop on the way.

Why is 6 afraid of 7?  Because 7 8 9. (Get it 7 ate 9!)