St. Michael the Archangel

Over the past years I have begun to notice a drop off in devotions to saints, archangels and the Blessed Mother. People always look at these things of being from the past or something my grandparents do. However, I am here to tell you the importance of these devotions and using the saints and angels as a way to help yourself in your spiritual life and doing battle with the enemy.

So many times I feel that people downplay the existence of spiritual warfare in the modern world that it is truly scary. Having this in mind I think it is important to recognize the feast day of St. Michael and the Archangels feast day this Thursday, September 29th. Without the works of the archangels think about the things that would have never happened in the Bible: We see Gabriel coming to Mary to announce that she will bear Jesus (kind of important). The archangels are there for St. Joseph telling him to take Mary as his wife because she conceived by the Holy Spirit and to flee to Egypt after the birth of Jesus from Herod. We see the archangels continually doing battle with the devil and St. Michael helping kick out Lucifer and a third of the angels from Heaven when the fall of Lucifer and creation of Hell occurs.

My most favorite of the Archangels has to be St. Michael as the picture seen here. St. Michael is just an amazing warrior in the spiritual realm it is hard for us not to notice him. He is always there ready to help us fight in our own battles with the devil. He not only helps us fight, he can help protect us from evil moments of evil in our world.

I always put St. Michael in the Amazing Awesomeness Majestic Warrior category. I know he kicks it with Jesus in Heaven and they talk about what is on the agenda for the day only to come up with to Drop Kick the Devil in the Face. I good analogy I like to show how effective St. Michael is... "its like being in a wrestling match with your friends and having Hulk Hogan on your team." So he is a star player when it comes to spiritual warfare. You have to ask yourself, why not bring out the big guns to battle the Devil every day? So today I have to tip my hat to St. Michael and the archangels of Heaven, without them I have no clue as to were we would be.

Here is the St. Michael prayer that I challenge everyone to say daily. You would be amazed as how well this prayer works in moments were you find yourself struggling to not fall into temptation. So here it is. Hope you enjoy.


Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -
by the Divine Power of God -
cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen.

Win A Free Trip To The March For Life

So All Juniors and Seniors of Gtown you have the opportunity of a lifetime to participate in this years Pro-Life Oratory Contest. This is the third year that the oratory contest has taken place within the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

The Pro-Life Oratory Contest consist of high school junior and seniors across the area competing with 5-7 minute speechs on a Pro-Life issue. These issues are on topics regarding the Tragedy of Abortion, Euthanasia, Infanticide, or Embryonic Stem Cell Research.

First place winner receives $200 Cash and FULL registration to attend the March For Life. Second place receives $100 Cash and half price to attend the March For Life. It is a great honor to be chosen to go on and represent the Diocese of Baton Rouge to compete at the state and national level.

Last year our very own Katelyn Lamy won 2nd place in the Diocese and benefited from a half paid trip to the March for Life with us.

You can download the form as seen above via pdf for registration and more information. Let me know if you are wanting to do this.

"Living on Hope"

When first look at the hit movie Napoleon Dynamite one can only think of the cheesy characters in the movie. Think about each character from Pedro for President, Kip training to be a cage fighter & chatting with babes all day, Unlce Rico wanting to relive nonexistent glory days of 1982, and Napoleon participating in the happy hands club & talking about mythical creatures. However, when we look deeper into the movie past all the one liner quotes and the sensational dance scene by Napoleon there is more then meets the eye.

Napoleon's gift he shows throughout the movie is perseverance. He never gives up no matter what happens, even when his own family Uncle Rico continually humiliates him. Napoleon continually Lives on Hope. Though Napoleon gets continually rejected he always offers his friendship. He continually searches for community and friendship which is hardwired into our souls. That is something so amazing because he does not try to be anything that he is not. How many times in our own lives have we found ourselves trying to be something that we were not? Napoleon does not care what anyone else thinks of him.

On a similar note, the film affirms that everyone is worthy, no matter how geeky, different, or damaged. This obvious mirrors the teaching of JPIIs Theology of the Body in that everyone is created by and for Love. We are created in the image of the living God. This is such an amazing thing to see in the movie how Napoleon always offers people acceptance even when he was rejected. He sees the beauty in people even if it is displayed in a weird way. We see this best when he tells Deb how pretty she is in telling her that she could be drinking whole milk instead of 1%.

Throughout the movie we see the tether ball court as an important landmark for the characters, especially Napoleon. The movie ends and begins at the tether ball court with Napoleon asking Summer and Deb if they would like to play him. The first results in rejection, where we continually see rejection occur, and the last acceptance were the movie ends with Napoleon and Deb playing together. So from start to finish we walk through the journey of Napoleon from zero to hero. Napoleon pretty much changed the culture of his school and family just by being himself throughout the movie. If God can use Napoleon this way it is living proof that God uses anyone. We should never give up on the dreams that God has for us! It is simply our vocation to lead others to Christ. We continually see throughout the Bible of God choosing the weak to lead the strong.

Next time you find yourself watching the ridiculously awesome movie of Napoleon Dynamite. So the moral of the movie is to don't try to be anything then who you are. We must find our identity in Christ and put that into action. Notice how Napoleon "Lives on Hope" and tells Pedro "Listen to your heart... that's what I do!"

Jesus: The Bread of Life

Over the past few years we have seen a new trend of underground art. This art form as you can call it is a way for people to come together in one central location to do something that brings surprise and attention to every day people that happen to witness it. You may know this as "The Flash Mob!" I came across this video randomly of a Eucharistic Flash Mob in Preston, England organized by some Capuchin Franciscans. This was staged by the friars and some local missionaries in England to help bring revival to the Church in England.

What an amazing thing to see the people that come to kneel before Jesus as they continually invite all to do as they pass. I always think of the phrase "Let The Children Come To Me." Jesus simple shows up in middle of this busy intersection and he obviously takes care of everything. Just as Christ had crowds that were drawn to Him in His ministry over 2000 years ago, we see that He still has the power to do so more then ever.

Last night at St. George we had the ability to put down the business of our lives and spend time with Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament through Adoration. Adoration is such an amazing gift were we can come face to face with the God of the Universe and just be in His presence. All it

How often do we see in our own culture the lack of the Lord's presence within our streets? Just as Jesus was brought into the streets of Preston, England as seen above through this video we too must bring Jesus into the places we go. Maybe we do not have the ability to carry the Eucharist with us were we go, however can we not be the Face of Jesus to all that we meet? We must be the hands and feet of Christ to all our peers, friends, family, and whoever that God puts into our life. We must continually answer the call of "Come Follow Me." It is when we daily choose to follow Christ that not only our lives are transformed, but also the people around us.

March for Life 2012

Check out this Righteous Video of last years March for Life 2011 Trip! It is time to make the decision for 2012.

It is that time of the year again when the St. George High School Youth Group will be preparing for our annual March for Life Pilgrimage. We will be headed to Washington D.C. from January 19-24 with the Diocese of Baton Rouge for a pilgrimage experience like no other. Registration has begun and space has begin to fill. Last year St. George took 25 participants on the trip of the total 350 from all across the diocese. Deadline to sign up is October 1 for a guaranteed spot on the trip. Space is limited hence we had a waiting list of 60 people that were unable to go across the diocese. Start to make the decision now to come to the March for Life pilgrimage. You can find more information at www.youthmarchforlife.com, which has the link on the bottom of the blog under places to visit.

Also, every year we have a few parents that attend the event as chaperons for the trip. If you are interested in attending the event as a chaperon in any way I would love to talk with you about this amazing experience.

Take note of our annual March for Life Benefit Dinner which will be held next weekend on Saturday, September 17 at Our Lady of Mercy Church. We make sure money is never an issue for youth. Scholarships are available for those in need.

Feel free to leave comment on your thoughts of the March if you have ever attended and it has affected your life.

If you have any questions or would like to join us for this year’s march please contact me. Have a wonderful day and God Bless.

Signs of the Times

Hello Everyone,
So after much thought and prayer I have decided that Gtown should go into the digital discipleship business.  After having our youth group night on technology and realizing that so many people are not actually using Facebook.  I think this will be a better way to get things in front of your face including: news, information, spiritual/formation material, interesting things I happen to find online, and conversation starters.  So let me know what your thoughts are on the new page.  Remember it is still under the construction stage.

Pax Christi,
Matt