Welcome back! In 2019, things may look a little different. This year, I am hoping to do a few more longer form writing pieces (still in the 5 Things mold), but focused a bit less on the headlines. This will help alleviate the time crunch which caused my fall schedule to be off. As always, feel free to check out the past recommendations and inspirations.
3 Things I Learned from SEEK2019
1) There are a lot of Catholics in the US
You’re probably thinking, “Great, tell me something I didn’t know, David.” But, SEEK and the Camp Summit hammered home this point for me. I witnessed 16,000+ Catholics celebrate Mass, sing praise, and fall down in adoration together. Over 400 priests attended the event and heard countless confessions. Over 200 Catholic organizations, communities, and institutions (including Camp Gray) sponsored and attended the event. Numerous schools brought contingents of students from across the country. I met students from practically every state, and even some from other countries. The whole event of SEEK inspired hope in the future of the Church.
2) Catholic Celebrities are a Real Thing
Many of you reading this will know the names of some of these celebrities. The list includes lay speakers like Scott Hahn, Chris Stefanick, Leah Darrow, and Sarah Swafford. Of course there are also the numerous religious speakers like Sr. Bethany Madonna, Bishop Robert Barron, and (literally everyone’s favorite) Fr. Mike Schmitz. I highlight these folks for two reasons: 1) They are relevant and profound speakers and folks in the Catholic world look up to many of them. 2) It is amusing and heartwarming to see young Catholic men and women giggling like little children and giddy about the opportunity to meet their idols.
However, these ‘Catholic Celebrities’ (like all of our earthly role models) are just humans striving for Christ. In his keynote, Fr. Mike described how he failed to act in a situation involving a student suffering a seemingly minor injury on a plane. He said, “It wasn’t that I wasn’t moved, it was that I didn’t move. It wasn’t that I didn’t care, but that I didn’t care enough to act.” While it is important for us to have role models, just remember that they are not perfect. Certainly, be inspired by those Catholic Celebrities to strive for heaven. But also know, that Fr. Mike (and all your role models) needs prayers and support as much as the next person.
3) Everyone Needs a Retreat
While SEEK is not necessarily a ‘retreat’ it is valuable to help us recenter and refocus. The need to slow down and rejuvenate ourselves cannot be overstated. We live in a world that constantly demands our attention: emails, texts, social media, our friends and family, and so much more. It is important for us to take the time to find the rhythm of life for which we are created.
We don’t need to scroll through Instagram. We don’t need to rewatch The Office for the 17th time. We don’t need to play more games on our phones or consoles. We need to find time for prayer. Find time for good meals and conversations with loved ones. Seek out talks and videos that will inspire you to live your best life. Find time to explore your hobbies and passions. Read more books. Go to the gym. Take a retreat and refocus.
Find those things that reinvigorate you and do them.
4) Headlines-
- Government Shutdown: Day 34….No Deal Yet, but here are Ideas
- The longest shutdown in US history still rages on. Here is a reminder of the 25% of government that is actually shutdown.
- Furloughed workers will miss their second paycheck at the end of the week.
- Both sides still seem entrenched. Trump wants $5.7B for a border wall. Democrats feel Trump went back on his original deal. Both sides think the other will get blamed for the shutdown.
- The Democratic Primary is Crowded…And It Has Just Begun (CNN)
- 2020 is expected to be crowded for the Democrats. Already eight folks (see below) have announced their candidacy. There is an expectation that big names like Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden, and Beto O’Rourke (to name a few) will also join the fray.
- Elizabeth Warren- 69, Senator of Massachusetts
- Kirsten Gillibrand- 52, Senator of New York
- Kamala Harris- 54, Senator of California
- Julian Castro- 44, Fmr. Sec. Housing & Urban Development
- John Delaney- 55, Former Rep. of Maryland
- Pete Buttigieg- 37, Mayor of South Bend, Indiana
- Tulsi Gabbard- 37, Rep. of Hawaii
- Andrew Yang- 44, Businessman of New York
- 2020 is expected to be crowded for the Democrats. Already eight folks (see below) have announced their candidacy. There is an expectation that big names like Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden, and Beto O’Rourke (to name a few) will also join the fray.
- Venezuela’s Two Presidents (Vox)
- Nicolás Maduro won reelection in May 2018, but citizens and observers claim the process was rigged. Enter opposition pary leader, Juan Guaidó who claimed he is the rightful president and has received the support of many countries including the USA.
- Patriots-Rams Super Bowl Matchup Set
- If you haven’t heard, this is the missed call that has Saints fans still mourning. If called, the Saints would have been able to run down the clock and kick a game-winning field goal as time expired. But, they lost in overtime.
- Both Championship Games went into overtime on Sunday. Tom Brady and the Patriots were both great and lucky against the Chiefs. Their win gives the Patriots their 4th Super Bowl appearance in 5 years and their 9th since 2001. It also sets up a rematch of the 2001 Super Bowl (Tom Brady’s first) against the Rams. Brady is 5-3 all time in the Super Bowl with 4 SB MVPs.
5) Recommendation of the Week – SEEK2019 Talks
Alright, so this might be somewhat cheating, as I have already discussed SEEK2019 a lot up top. However, take some time and watch these talks from the conference. They are profound, entertaining, and thought-provoking. The talks have the capacity to impact you in a profound way. Take some time over the next week, and watch these!
Peace, love, and all the above,
DJE