Becoming the Best Version of Yourself

Becoming the Best

Version of Yourself

by Ian Mascarenhas

   Many youth and young adults are transitioning to different phases of their lives in this time period.  Some got confirmed recently, some are graduating high school or college, and some may have changes to other areas of their lives.

   Whatever transition you are going through, make your next phase bigger and better.  Reach for the things that help you achieve your full potential.  Challenge yourself to accomplish the incredible.

   That is what “Becoming the Best Version of Yourself” is all about.  Your life is full of possibilities, you have tremendous abilities and talents.  Another potential you have is you can be a person of impact.  Our world is changing, and you can be a great part of that.

   But, also know, the challenges and struggles and issues get bigger too in these next phases of your lives.  The way you will handle them is with the help of the Support Group you have around you.  Yes, your family is a huge part of your Support Group.  Others that you let in will be part of your S.G.!

   The “Best Version of Ourselves” is not built individually.  We are built up through Team, Communities, Church, FAMILIES.  Stay connected, stay open to the groups that help develop us.

   Also make sure the biggest part of our development team is God.  We can’t even see the Best Version of Ourselves without God being present and involved.  God’s participation in our lives is mutually interactive; its not a monologue, its a dialog.

   So transition, but don’t separate/disconnect!

from OMC's June 2015 youth newsletter -- Up-Words

Confirmation: Initiation or Graduation? Or Is It Both?

Confirmation: Initiation or Graduation?  Or Is It Both?

by Ian Mascarenhas

   In the early stages of helping with Youth Ministry I used to hear, “Confirmation is an initiation, not a graduation.  I understood what was meant by that, you don’t graduate out of Church participation.

   Yes, Confirmation is a Sacrament of Initiation, along with Baptism and Holy Communion.  But as I continued with Youth Ministry I realized more and more that it is both initiation and graduation.  What is a graduation?  It is a transition from one part of our life into another.  Our life beyond the graduation has responsibilities and challenges that increase.

   After Confirmation the involvement in catechesis classes that have been a necessary part of the preparation is changed.  As a confirmed Catholic the responsibility for living faithful lives, growing in faith and continuing to study God’s messages are ongoing — forever — for all of us.

   Jesus keeps inviting us to come celebrate, come spend time together, come build the relationship, come share the experiences of faith and come meet God the Father.  As Jesus told some disciples in John 2: 39, “Come and you will see.”  It’s the same for each of us, be open to having a closer relationship with God.

   Our openness is so important to deepen our faith and strengthen connections with God — The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit.  Be open to where God calls you, whether it be in continued learning opportunities at OMC, growing in faith through ministries or to any other options that God offers.  Welcome to your new beginning.  Share your faith!

from OMC's May 2015 Youth Ministry newsletter -- Up-Words

‘That you might have life ...

‘That you might have life ...

by Ian Mascarenhas

   Jesus came that we might get reconnected with the kingdom of God, our faith family (John 10: 10), abundantly.  We are blessed that our God considers us worth recovering, worthy of reconciling.

   We were given this gift, freely; and it is life, eternal life.  It is not a handout, but rather a hand-up.  It is something beyond anything we could do for ourselves.

   Max Lucado wrote, “Jesus considered your place in heaven more important than his.  So he gave up his so you could have yours.”

   Jesus’ offering/sacrifice is so precious and valuable, beyond anything we could comprehend.  Yet it is not forced upon us, but requires our openness, acceptance and availability. 

-- from April 2015 OMC's Youth Ministry newsletter -- Up-Words

Who Am I?

Confirmation Retreat (March 2015)

As I traveled my journey in faith

   A thought crossed my mind:  “I can’t relate.”

“Stay connected,” Jesus says, “Come walk with Me.”

  We are asked quite simply, “Can you quietly be?”

I continue my “Who Am I?” search.

Building connections are steps on the path.

  Strengthening our community with bonds that last.

“Love one another,” is the message/mission we share.

  Through our words and actions others become aware.

From “I” to “us and we” — our holy destiny.