Ralph and Paul - The two of you would make a superb combination in working together to help the AOD find solutions for camp-based ministry for youth. Perhaps you can help those involved to forgive, understand, and move forward. You both love Malo, have a passion for the Church and youth ministry, are smart and articulate, and most importantly, are trustworthy. As we used to say at Camp - Go for it! That is my point. Thats all I got. The long PS that follows is just blah blah blah... I remain, praying for new life for youth ministry at Malo, Wojtyla, and any and all other great places where youth can feel Gods presence and love... Jim Wahlen PS - The blah, blah, blah part... I share your love for Malo, as well as the hurt, pain, and frustration of these lost 30 years. I have two daughters who did not have the opportunity to deepen their faith at Malo. But our grief does not help us move forward. We understand how essential Malo (and Wojtyla, and other camps) are in youth ministry. How can the two of you, Paul and Ralph, best help the AOD appreciate that importance? I dont have the right to question the AODs motives or love for ministry for young people. Forgive and set aside (if you can), whatever righteous frustration you have for the past, and work closely with them (as Fr. Jerrard would) to help the AOD develop solutions for outdoor youth ministry. Not as injured parties with a list of demands, but as partners with shared concerns for and willingness to find solutions for camp-based youth ministry at a resurrected Malo and/or Wojtyla and/or other locations. At the same time, work together as a team to gain real understanding for the AODs position and decisions, the constraints they face, and their best intentions to grow the Catholic youth community. Learn the AODs views on whether (and, if so) how a resurrected Camp St Malo, or some other similar Catholic faith-based outdoor camp, can help the AOD serve Christ and deliver much-needed ministry to youth. My guess is that the good people at the AOD have their own pain, frustration, and regret for how Malo has been used these past 30 years, as well as the recent massive injuries from the fire and flood (watch out for hail and locusts...) With forgiveness, can you help them move forward to a new age of outdoor youth ministry? [I cant believe I just used the phrase new age. Sorry.] Can the two of you help all of us understand what their issues and constraints and concerns are, so we can think creatively and pray fervently for great solutions? It goes without saying that those of us who were profoundly and fundamentally transformed by our experiences at Malo would love to see it come to life again. Ralph, thank you so much for not only being our fearless leader back in the day, but for also continuing to carry our passionate torch for Malos future. When (not if) that becomes a reality, we will all thank God for a prayer answered. That said, obviously the reality of the situation is not in our favor. The AODs past priorities (made pretty clear over 30 years), the necessary reclamation of the site, the additional investments for rebuilding pretty much everything other than the Chapel, the legal and zoning and insurance requirements, ... they all pose pretty steep challenges - an uphill climb worthy of a Peppy Plugger award on a Friday Special! In the meantime, while working with the AOD to overcome these challenges, work with another reality - Camp W is providing active outdoor Catholic youth ministry. I am not familiar with Camp W, other than what I could gather from their website. I am sure it is not perfect, but it does appear to be a really great program. To be sure, it is not Malo (but then, what is? seems an unfairly high standard!). Camp W seems like it is an active, outdoor Catholic youth ministry in the image of Malo. While working with the AOD, perhaps we can also work with the good folks at Camp W to help develop and strengthen their ministry, in honor of Fr. Jerrard and Malo. (Not as a substitute for Malo, but as a complement.) Paul and Ralph, the two of you would make an incredible team in working together with the AOD to find great solutions for the resurrection of Malo, support and further development of Wojtyla, and other ministries for Catholic youth. Please let me know how I can help and be of service, with prayers, or anything else I can offer. As He taught us to say...Thy will be done...
Posted on: Thu, 23 Jan 2014 04:41:34 +0000
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