Gary Foote

Invitation to Inspiration

Posted on Saturday, August 14th, 2010 at 10:50 am.

This past Wednesday I had the opportunity to spend the day with many youth ministers at a “Youth Ministry Convocation.” This particular convocation was a lot of fun for me because I was able to connect with a few youth ministers who I have known for over 13 years but have not seen for some time. One of my youth minister friends, David, shared with me something that surprised me. As we were talking about our years working in youth ministry during the lunch break, he casually said, “And of course you know you were my inspiration for beginning my work in youth ministry as a missionary.” I’m not sure if David saw the look of shock on my face, but I didn’t comment on what he said and just gave him the opportunity to continue to tell me about how God has worked in His life and in His ministry. After our lunch break was over, I began to think about what David had shared with me.  It has been 10 years since David and I worked as Catholic youth missionaries. Since our time in the “missionary field,” we both have continued to work in Catholic youth ministry. During my years working in youth ministry, I’ve had the blessing of mentoring and training many great youth ministers, but David’s words really struck me. While recruiting and training youth ministers, I have been very aware of what I was doing. However, David never asked me to train him, mentor him, or anything of the sort. At the time when David began working in youth ministry, I was just a novice myself so I really didn’t have much to offer him. So what was it exactly about my relationship with David that inspired him to start his youth ministry career as a missionary? I remember having a conversation with David before I began my year of missionary work where he asked me what I planned on doing with my life. I told him about how I had committed to working as a Catholic youth missionary for the next year. After giving him all of the details, I then said, “David, why don’t you apply to be a missionary too?” Over 10 years later, here we are still working in Catholic youth ministry. The inspiration that I was able to offer to David was an invitation. I invited him to think about serving God, the Church, and young people. He embraced the invitation and allowed it to be an inspiration.

Catholic theology teaches us, “faith is our response to God” (Catechism of the Catholic Church #26). God initiates (or “invites”) us to embrace Him in every opportunity where we respond with faith. This invitation can be our inspiration to deepen our relationship with the Holy Trinity but only if we allow it. As I look to a new week, I hope that I can recognize the many times that God will initiate something and ask me to respond with faith. I pray that I might be able to allow His invitation to be my inspiration.

P.S. David, if you read this blog, thank you for being such a wonderful and holy man of God. You’ve challenged me to become a better man through the witness of your life. God bless you, your beautiful wife, and your ministry!

A Youth Ministry Move

Posted on Monday, August 9th, 2010 at 4:56 pm.

For those of you who read my blog on a regular basis, I owe you an apology. As you know, it’s been a while since I last wrote. I’m sorry for the lapse in updates.

The past six weeks have brought much change to my life and ministry. I had the blessing of receiving three job offers to relocate to my home state of California and begin a new chapter in ministry. Through much prayer, thought, and discussion, my wife and I discerned that after ten years it was time to move back to be near family and friends beginning a new chapter in ministry. Anyone who has moved knows that three words must be lived during the moving process in order to remain sane: change, flexibility, and patience. This particular cross-country move challenged me to the limits in all three of these areas. There were cancelled plane flights, three separate car accidents (one vehicle was totaled, thank God no one was hurt), and a lot of damaged household items. After each “incident” occurred, I had to ask God one question, “Lord, what are you trying to teach me in this moment?” Often times the response was “Trust in me.” To make a long story short, we are all here in California safely and are extremely blessed to be near family and friends once again. By the grace of God, our ministry is going very well too!

Looking back on everything that has taken place, I have had to ask myself, “What am I doing to allow God to ‘move’ me closer to Him?” Am I allowing Him to ‘change’ me from the inside out? Am I being ‘flexible’ in following His will and plan for my life, or do I too often think that my ways make more sense than His? Am I being ‘patient’ with God? Do I show my gratitude to Him for being ‘patient’ for me? The same three key words of my cross-country move (change, flexibility, and patience) have become the catalyst for examining a spiritual move from what is familiar in my spiritual life into something that has the potential of leading me into a much deeper intimacy with God.

My invitation to you is to ask yourself the question, “Is it time for a move?” Most likely it is not time for a physical move, but we can all benefit from an occasional spiritual move. I pray that if it is your time for a spiritual move that God will bless you abundantly as you embrace all that He has to offer to you. Be open to change, be flexible, be patient, and most of all, be holy!

Legacy

Posted on Saturday, June 19th, 2010 at 3:19 pm.

This past spring, I led a series of apologetics workshops for a high school diocesan youth conference in South Carolina. The overall theme for the conference was, “Legacy.” I enjoyed the opportunity to work with many teens and their youth ministers in equipping them to teach and defend their faith in a more effective way. When I was not presenting, I had the opportunity to listen to some of the other speakers and reflect on “Legacy.”

My first reflection focused on one of the main points of the conference: Our God is not a God of the dead, but a God of the living (see the Gospel of Mark 12:26-27). His legacy is one of life. Often times when we think of legacy, we think of what is left behind once someone leaves this life and enters into life eternal. This rule doesn’t apply to God though because He remains continually present on the earth.

God’s legacy is a legacy of true presence, and not only remembrance (see the Gospel of Matthew 28:20).  It is true that God is present everywhere, but there are two ways by which He makes Himself especially present to His beloved children that I primarily reflected on.  Jesus promises that the Father will send the Holy Spirit to “teach us everything” (John 14:26). The Holy Spirit has been sent not only as our guide and companion for our earthy journey, but as the very presence of God to dwell within us! God also makes Himself uniquely present to us in every one of the sacraments, and chiefly in the Eucharist. Jesus Christ’s body, blood, soul, and divinity are present in the Most Holy Eucharist, which we can receive on a daily basis! We do not simply remember the great things God has done throughout all of history, but we are privileged to continually live with Him through His legacy of true presence.

My second reflection was this: as humans, we do not share in the legacy of true presence that belongs to God. Our souls are eternal, and we can all pray and hope that someday we will be united together as one in the beatific vision that is Heaven. We will be remembered in history, but we will not continue to be continually present on the earth as God is. So the question that we have to ask is, “What will our legacy be?”

My hope is that there will be three things I am remembered for. Number one, I hope that my wife will always remember me as a good and loving husband. I know that I am not perfect and that my wife is a saint in the making for having to live with me day-in and day-out. My wish is that when I die, my wife will be able to say, “He loved me with all of his heart and always tried to lead me closer to God and His Church.” If that is what she is able to say, then I’ve fulfilled my vocation as a husband. Number Two, I hope that my children will be able to have many memories of the time we spent together praying, playing, and loving. My kids are extremely important to me. I am well aware that I am not the perfect father and make mistakes, but I hope that they will be able to say, “Dad always loved us and tried his best to be the best father he could be. He taught us about God and our faith, and we will continuously strive to become holier people because of his encouragement.” Number three, I hope that everyone else I come into contact will be able to say after I pass away, “Gary who?” I know at first glance, this may seem like a weird hope, but let me explain. I want to be transparent. I want to be able to always lead to God and His Church and “get out of the way” so tat the focus is never on me, but on God. It can be very tempting to want the most Facebook friends, Twitter followers, or dare I say it, tangible friends outside of social networking. I understand that I have a lot of work to do, but I am optimistic that by the end of my life, I might be able to full heartedly recite the words of St. Paul, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives within me” (Galatians 2:20).

Go Joe! A Catholic Youth Ministry Hero

Posted on Monday, June 7th, 2010 at 2:34 am.

This past week I was a witness to an amazing miracle. Two of the teens involved in the youth ministry program I oversee, Anthony and Andrew, went to the beach for a fun day of swimming and relaxing. Anthony’s older sister Katherine went along with them and so did his older brother Joseph (who volunteers on my adult youth ministry team). Going to the beach on a hot summer day was a very normal activity for these four. Unfortunately, this particular day at the beach would not be normal, but life changing for them all.

Everyone decided to go for a swim together. They were all having fun when all of a sudden a very strong current began as the tide went out. The four were separated and left to fend for themselves as they battled the strength of the sea. Katherine and Andrew made it to a sandbar and took refuge there. Joseph and Anthony swam towards the shore. Anthony ended up getting trapped by the current and yelled for help. Joseph swam towards Anthony with all of his strength and reached him. He tried to hold Anthony and swim him back to shore, but the current was too strong for him alone and Anthony was taken under water. Joseph’s body was completely exhausted from fighting the ocean and he yelled for help. Four people on the beach saw what was taking place and joined together as a team to help Anthony. One of the people from the beach dove into the water where he had last seen Anthony and was able to find him and bring him up to the surface. The four people from the beach were able to get Anthony beach, but he was not breathing and did not have a pulse. While Anthony’s rescue was taking place, Joseph was able to struggle through the ocean back to the beach. Completely exhausted, he saw his brother lifeless on the beach and without any hesitation began CPR. By God’s grace, Joseph was able to get Anthony’s heart to beat again and was able to get him breathing as well. Someone called 911 and an emergency crew arrived. The emergency responders took Anthony to a children’s intensive care unit where he remained unconscious that night. Joseph, Andrew, and Katherine also went to the hospital.

When Anthony was stabilized, Joseph called me and I went immediately to the hospital with one of our parish priests who offered the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. By this time, Anthony’s parents were already at the hospital patiently waiting. Their youngest son laid in an intensive care unit and no one knew what would happen. The doctors and nurses were preparing us all of the worse that Anthony may have some brain damage and may never be the same again. Anthony’s father looked at me and asked, “Will you pray for us?” Of course I would pray and continue to pray for the family.

A miracle happened the next evening. Anthony woke up and was able to talk some. The morning after he woke up I was speaking to one of the nurses and she told me that Anthony had a very long journey ahead. Anthony is a very faithful and determined teen, so I knew if anyone had a fighting chance, it would be him. The net morning Anthony woke up again. But this time, he could move his entire body and began to talk. By the end of the day he was changing the channel on the t.v. in his room and asking if he could have chocolate ice cream cake with snickers in it. The doctors were amazed by the recovery that had taken place. By a miracle, the next afternoon Anthony was well enough to go home.

I am completely amazed and in awe over what God has done in Anthony’s life. Not only am I amazed at Anthony’s miraculous recovery, but at the complete sacrifice that Joseph made for his brother. Time and time again as Catholics we talk about John 15:13 which says, “Greater love hath no man than this, than a man lay down his life for his friends.” Joseph was ready and willingly to lay down his life for his brother. He didn’t think twice about whether or not he too would be taken by the ocean. He gave all that he had, and God provided for His insufficiencies by bringing the four people off of the beach to help bring Anthony back to the shore. Joseph’s sacrifice was not over yet though. He gave of himself immediately once more by giving his beloved brother CPR and by the grace of God brought him back to state of breathing and heart pumping.

The sacrifices Joseph made speak volumes to me. God knows that we are so weak, yet He still loves us. When we offer to God all that we have in complete and unreserved sacrifice, He can and will work miracles just like He did in allowing Anthony to live. How different would our lives be if we all surrendered to God and allowed Him to work powerfully in our weakness like Joseph did? What miracles what He bring about through our willingness to give all that we have and allow Him to do the rest? My prayer and hope is that I have the strength to be more like Joseph and give my all out of love for others and allow God to make up for all that I lack. Thank you Joseph for your witness. Thank you God for your mercy and the gift of Anthony’s life

Catholic Youth Ministry: Stopping the “Turn-Over Trend”

Posted on Saturday, June 5th, 2010 at 1:23 am.

Over the past few weeks I’ve spoken with many priests at various parishes throughout the country who all share the same frustration: the high turnover rate of youth ministers at their parishes. These priests commented on the many challenges that parishes face due to inconsistency as youth ministers come and go. As I listened intently to the dissatisfaction of the priests time and time again, I asked the priests one question, “Father, what are YOU doing to ensure the success of the youth minister?” Often times, the response was silence.

Youth Ministry is a difficult job. Youth ministers are expected to be experts in many different fields. They are given the responsibilities of developing the spirituality of adolescents, planning retreats, coordinating social events, balancing a budget, fundraising, organizing mission trips, promoting diocesan events, continually forming adult volunteers, providing a safe environment, attending parish meetings, studying youth culture, arranging liturgies, visiting schools, keeping constant communication, and connecting with youth and their families in appropriate ways.

Although all of the tasks are given to youth ministers to complete, too many times resources are not made available to ensure that the tasks will be completed successfully. Generally, Catholic Youth Ministers in the United States are severely underpaid, overworked, lack consistent training, and support.

Understanding is the key to solving the problem of the high turnover rate of youth ministers. Pastors need to be mindful of the following:

1) What are the needs of their particular parish?  Once the needs are known, the proper youth minister can be hired based on his or her gifts and talents aligning with the needs of their parish.

2) Youth ministers are ultimately an extension of the pastor. A youth minister can never replace a pastor, nor should he or she be expected to. Youth have a need for their pastor to be present in their spiritual life, even if it is just for a few minutes a week to say hello.

3) Youth ministers often resign from parishes because they cannot afford to stay. Many youth ministers will take on additional jobs waiting tables or working at coffee shops in order to make ends meet. Youth ministers stay longer in parishes when they can afford to.

4) Priests are “obliged to make spiritual retreats (Code of Canon Law Canon 276).” Youth ministers also need to be encouraged to make retreats in order to develop their personal spiritual life so that they can be models of holiness for youth similar to priests.

5) Pastors must also understand the full scope of the responsibilities that are required by their youth ministers. In being fully informed, pastors can monitor youth ministers’ schedules and ensure that they are not in charge of too many tasks at one time.

Pastors are not the only part of the equation that needs to seek to understand. Youth ministers also need to understand some important dynamics for successful ministry:

1) As an extension of the pastor, the youth minister must understand the vision of the pastor for his parish, including his vision for the youth ministry program. Youth ministers need to be experts on the subject of youth but also need to realize that the pastor is ultimately responsible for the spiritual well being of his parishioners.

2) Youth ministers need to set concrete boundaries and let their pastor know what those boundaries are. For example, if a youth minister works on Sunday to provide a youth based liturgy followed by a youth night then Monday should be taken as a day-off in place of Sunday. Clear communication regarding boundaries is a necessity so that pastors know what their youth ministers are doing for the youth and what they are doing for themselves to live a balanced life.

3) Youth ministers need to realize that most pastors are supportive of them. It can be very difficult to feel supported when a pastor does not spend a lot of time with the youth or youth minister. However, the very fact that the pastor hires a youth minister shows that he is in support of the youth. Like youth ministers, pastors have incredible amounts of demand for their time. Youth ministers need to let their pastors know in advance specifically how and when their presence is needed. Youth ministers also need to realize that a pastor may not always be available but that doesn’t mean he is not be supportive.

4) Parishes are faith communities composed of many types of members with various needs. As a youth minister, how do you support the overall vision and direction of the pastor for his parish? How does the youth ministry program you offer “fit in” to the goals of the parish as a whole? Remember, you are not the pastor with your own congregation. Youth ministers are extensions of the pastor trying to lighten his load as his representative, not his replacement.

Working together, youth ministers and pastors can realize that they share a lot in common in the ministerial responsibilities. With a little understanding, pastors and youth ministers can become great allies and supports for one another. Remember that communication and understanding are paramount in making a youth ministry program work well. Don’t forget to pray together. Keep in mind that we are all imperfect Catholics seeking to live out our lives as best as we can in response to our universal call to holiness. Together with God’s grace, pastors and youth ministers can bring stability, peace, learning, spiritual fruit, and even fun to their parish and end the “Turn-Over Trend.”

A Day to Remember

Posted on Monday, May 31st, 2010 at 3:51 pm.

Americans have been celebrating Memorial Day for a very long time. The first Memorial Day was celebrated on May 30, 1868 to honor soldiers who had fought in the Civil War.

Every year when Memorial Day comes around, I always think about the wonderful men and women who gave their lives in order to secure our freedoms as Americans. The word “Memorial” closely relates to the word “Memory.” What is it about these men and women that is most important to remember? Is it their service to our country? Is it the sacrifice they made when they breathed their last breath? Is it their legacy of family and loved ones who are left behind? All of these things (and probably many more) are important for us to reflect upon on this special day devoted to Memorial.

The tradition of honoring someone for his act of service, sacrifice, and legacy goes back much further in time than 1868.  “Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me’ (Luke 22:19). Every time the Mass is celebrated, we remember all that Jesus Christ has done for us over the past 2000 years! One of the most significant prayers that the faithful pray during Mass is the Memorial Acclimation. The priest will lead the prayer by saying, “Let us proclaim the mystery of faith.” We respond with one of the 5 following responses:

1)   Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.

2)   Dying, you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory.

3)   When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus, until you come in glory.

4)   Lord, by your cross and resurrection, you have set us free. You are the Savior of the world.

5)   Keep in mind that Jesus Christ has died for us and is risen from the dead. He is our saving Lord, He is joy for all ages.

As we honor the many men and women who gave so much for us, let us also remember the incredible love of our God who gave His life for us. Jesus Christ’s life, death, resurrection, and ascension bring us great hope of an eternity consumed by the love of God. As we remember our fallen soldiers, we can continually pray for them, hoping that one day we will all be united together as one family with our one God.

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Posted on Thursday, May 27th, 2010 at 5:18 pm.

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