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 do not often get the opportunity to be on a two night confirmation retreat.  I have this job of Program Administrator that keeps me from working the weekends also.  But once in a great while, I get the opportunity to do a 2 night Confirmation retreat, and that “great while” occurred January 22-24, when Queen of Apostles parish from Pewaukee brought their Confirmation candidates to TYME OUT.

The first good thing that happened was that I got to work with Becca, our new retreat director.  It usually takes a couple of months for a new retreat director to learn all the ins and outs of TYME OUT’s retreats.  Becca was no exception.  Since she started in October, she has watched and learned the processes of a TYME OUT retreat.  Starting in January, I made her the A on retreats, which means she is the person who makes contact with the parish and finds out any significant information which could impact the retreat.  Queen of Apostles retreat would be Becca’s first time as an A on a Confirmation retreat.  It was great working with Becca.  She brings enthusiasm, energy, and a love of God which is so evident to everyone on retreat. 

The second good thing that happened was that I got to work with one of our 1st year interns.  Andrew Schueller is a senior at Marquette University and is a wonderful faith-filled young man.  He brings many of the experiences from the retreats he has been on at Marquette and his own parish.  He too has many great ideas that reach the young people and makes them listen to his God-filled experiences.  Andrew will graduate in May and wherever he ministers after that, will be very fortunate to have him.

The third good thing that happened on this retreat was I was able to spend the weekend with an old friend of TYME OUT’s, Bill Eder.  Bill may have been the most senior member of the group here that weekend, but you would never have known that by watching him.  He truly loves what he does and he shares his love of God with the youth.  Bill has been the youth minister at Queen of Apostles for a long time, and I hope he will remain there for a long time to come.                               

The final good thing that happened and the most important good thing was the youth who came to discern their decision about Confirmation.  They were a very open group, willing to share, willing to listen.  They were very accepting.  There were 2 youth from St. Mary’s Waukesha, who joined them on this retreat and they warmly welcomed them into the group.  In fact, one of the Individual Retreatants commented at the end of the retreat that he thought he couldn’t have had a better time on his own parishes retreat.  A true testament to all the participants. 

God was truly present on this retreat.  Actually, I know God is present on every retreat.  I was just fortunate enough to be a part of this experience.  Thank you Becca and Andrew.  Thank you Queen of Apostles Confirmation candidates, adults and Bill.  (Not to say that Bill isn’t an adult!)  I feel truly blessed to have been a part of your weekend.

God’s Peace,

Margie Lang

Advent is the season of waiting!  We pause to find God in our life.  We make room for the Savior to take hold of our thoughts and direction of our lives.  Our churches are wreathed in Blue and Pink candles, and families are gathered around the table and their Advent wreaths.  We also celebrate two important feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of Guadalupe.   The church tries to focus us on our families and waiting. 

Advent is also the season of fighting the cultural pattern of filling our life with even more activities than we can possibly fulfill.  There is Christmas shopping, Chrismas concerts, Christmas parties, Christmas baking to fill every waking moment of Advent.  Culture tries to focus us on spending money and time on material things.  It does seem to be a losing battle.

Retreats during Advent try to promote the message of waiting in anticipation of Christ, but can run into that same cultural barrier that the rest of the world presents.   There is more and more antagonism about having to go on retreat during this time because of the cultural pattern that permeates our world.  I am asking that you pray for all retreatants, especially during Advent.  Help them to slow down and give God time to make God’s presence known.

The weekend of December 11-13, St. Boniface of Germantown will be bringing over 80 youth and adults for a Confirmation retreat.  On December 15th, the DRE’s and DYM’s of District 4-5 will join us for lunch.  On December 18th, Messmer Prep will be here for a day of reflection with their 8th graders.  On December 18-20, Lumen Christi Parish of Mequon will come for their 1st of 2 Confirmation retreats.  Prayers are needed for all retreatants, but Advent begs for added prayers.  I know we can count on all of you for prayers.

Prayerful Advent,

Margie