Book Fall Fundraisers Early!

We have continued to grow every season and this fall will not be an exception. In fact we've already geared up for a large increase in the number of fundraisers this year as youth ministry budgets decrease in response to the tight economy.

The jewelry/rosary fundraiser continues to feature a 50% profit with the consignment inventory. There are many new items this fall, including some new "guy" jewelry in response to requests.

As our inventory has increased, so has the amount of profit per fundraiser that youth groups have made. Parishes that did our fundraiser this spring and summer have said that it looks like a whole different fundraiser than it was three years ago!

Our goal is to continue to be the best fundraiser of its kind. We expect to pass the half a million dollar mark this school year. That's how much youth groups have raised with our jewelry and rosaries. Congratulations!

Let us help you. Call now and set your fall dates: 1-866-338-0879.

 A priest was walking down the street when he came upon a group of about a dozen boys, all of them between 10 and 12 years of age.

 The group surrounded a dog. Concerned lest the boys were hurting the dog, he went over and asked "What are you doing with that dog?"

 One of the boys replied, "This dog is just an old neighborhood stray. We all want him, but only one of us can take him home. So we've decided that whichever one of us can tell the biggest lie will get to keep the dog."

 Of course, the priest was taken aback. "You boys shouldn't be having a contest telling lies!" he exclaimed. He then launched into a ten minute sermon against lying, beginning, "Don't you boys know it's a sin to lie," and ending with, "Why, when I was your age, I never told a lie."

 There was dead silence for about a minute.  Just as the holy man was beginning to think he'd gotten through to them, the smallest boy gave a deep sigh and said, "All right, give him the dog."

Wishing to encourage her young son's progress on the piano, a mother took
her boy to a Paderewski concert. After they were seated, the mother spotted
a friend in the audience and walked down the aisle to greet her.  Seizing
the opportunity to explore the wonders of the concert hall, the little boy
quietly got up and eventually explored his way through a door marked "NO
ADMITTANCE."

When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother
returned to her seat and discovered that the child was missing. Suddenly,
the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on
stage.

In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently
picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." At that moment, the great piano
master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano and whispered in the
boy's ear, "Don't quit. Keep playing." Then leaning over, Paderewski reached
down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm
reached around to the other side of the child and he added a running
obligato. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed a
frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience. The audience
was mesmerized.

That's the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly
noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren't exactly graceful flowing
music. But with the hand of the Master, our life's work truly can be
beautiful. The next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen
carefully. You can hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear,
"Don't quit. Keep playing." Feel His loving arms around you. Know that His
strong hands are there helping you turn your feeble attempts into true
masterpieces.

Remember, God doesn't call the equipped, he equips the called. And He will
always be there to love and guide you on to great things!

-- Author Unknown

A Fundraiser From The Trenches

Last winter Dave Dearden, youth minister at St. Julie Billiart in N. Dartsmouth, Massachusetts, told me about his Goblin Insurance fundraiser. His group sells a $5 insurance policy with pseudo-legal jargon printed on orange paper. It guarantees a speedy clean-up after Halloween for the policy holder if their home or yard is messed up by trick-or-treaters. They always make good money and have never been called for a clean-up!

Bob, a Catholic youth minister, got home from the church at his usual hour of 5 p.m., only to discover that it had not been one of his wife's better days. Nothing he said or did seemed to be right.

By 8 p.m. things had not changed, so Bob suggested he go outside, pretend he had just gotten home, and start all over again. His wife agreed.

So Bob went outside, came back in and, with a big smile, announced, "Honey, I'm home!"

She replied sharply, "And just where have you been? It's after eight o'clock!"

Youth Ministry Tips

Tip #3

Use the U. S. mail. Send birthday cards and personal, affirming notes to each of your young people. Send postcards and announcements on a regular basis. Even with e-mail and text-messaging, teens still appreciate real mail!

Tip #106

Always plan ahead to make the best use of small groups. If your topic for discussion requires trust and personal sharing, take that into account. Sometimes a close group of teens will share better in this case. If you want discussion to go deep, consider allowing a “clique” to meet together. On topics requiring less trust for discussion, break up the usual groups.