Spiritual Preparation - Youth 2000 Redding!

This past weekend was the first big step of spiritual preparation for both Honduras AND World Youth Day in Sydney. Our Lady Queen of the World Parish, where I serve as a youth coordinator, took a group of about 40 youth and young adults 3 hours north to Redding, CA for a Youth 2000 Retreat (for more information about Youth 2000, please visit their website!).

I was able to reunite with Jeremy (my companion on the Honduras trip), who made a 6 hour trek down from Mount Angel Seminary in Oregon with his seminarian brothers. Not only that, but I was able to reunite with my Franciscan friar friends, particularly Father Juniper Sistare, and Brother David Valenzuela. Needless to say, both of them are extremely excited for me to be visiting the Honduras mission. In fact, Father Juniper was the one who initially told me about the opportunity to serve in this way! Lucky us, we also are honored to have Father Juniper as our World Youth Day chaplain, as well!!

Adoration, praise and worship, faith sharing, fellowship...it doesn't get any better! I am SOOOOO proud of the youth of our parish, as they set this retreat on FIRE! Their enthusiasm for the Lord not only surprised me, but kept me going when I was ready to fall over and take a nap :) God bless you guys! As much as you all say that I inspire you, I think the inspiration poured in the opposite direction more so this weekend than ever!!!

Here are some pictures from the weekend, with a LOT more to come :)

Filipino Seminarian brothers from Mount Angel Seminary in Oregon.

JR and Dominic Figueroa, one of our World Youth Day pilgrims from Napa.

Jesse Burgard, my future godson to be baptized this coming Easter Vigil,
eating at Denny's at 1:30 in the morning.

Joseph and JR with little Joseph Drewsen.
Little Joseph told them that he wanted to be a priest, too!

JR with my amazing brothers in Christ,
Chris Mossbacher and Ted from Grass Valley, CA.

The youth hanging out in the hotel room Friday night.
(No, we didn't all sleep in that room!)

Champions of the placebo effect -
shots of Rockstar energy drink with breakfast the next morning

OPA!

California native, Brother David Valenzuela.

Consecration to Our Lady.

Some of our group with the Filipino semiarians.

Me with Jeremy and JR. We weren't ready yet!

Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the altar!

7 priests at mass on Friday night. AWESOME!

Fr. Juniper incensing the Lord.

Fr. Juniper giving me a special blessing
before saying goodbye.

Leading worship with my core members and
the Redding core members!

My best friend in Christ, Manolito JR Jaldon.

GOOD MORNING, JESUS!