Connections Winter2005: Contents

Highlights...

Called To Witness: Rwanda 2004 On September 10, 2004 seven NFCYM Called to Witness participants attended an orientation with Catholic Relief Services in Baltimore and departed for Kigali, Rwanda. Over the next seven days, the travelers were immersed in the small African country that was the site of the largest genocide of the past fifty years: nearly one million people killed wihin 100 days in 1994. The participants stayed together in the capital, Kigali, and then divided into three groups, each staying in a different parish community, meeting the Rwandan people in their homes and on the hills. Kathleen Carver, the NFCYM staff person on the trip, provides a brief travelogue and introduces the participants' reflections that have been published on NFCYM's website.		Leadership Perspectives From the Executive Director Bob McCarty Bob McCarty reflects on our tendency to form groups which can create "gaps" in community. While group-building is a healthy part of adolescent development, Bob wonders if our society has abused this dynamic—in social relationships, politics, and even within the church. And where does this leave youth ministry? Board Update Rev. Thomas A. Dunne, S.D.B. Archdiocese of Boston Living in a "time of transition" brings new situations and challenges—for youth ministry and all sectors of society. Fr. Tom Dunne finds an inspiring example in corporate America and draws new insights on how youth ministry leaders can adapt and grow through changing times.

'Round the Regions... ...reporting from Region 11.

Other Feature Articles in this issue... Encuentro 2006: an introduction to "Tejiendo el Futuro Juntos" / "Weaving the Future Together" and the entire encuentro process leading up to the event. Second Wind 2005: Are you ready for your "second wind"—the biennial retreat for experienced diocesan leaders? Also, read about the European Catholic Youth Conference: The third such gathering for youth from families serving in the military across Europe was held in Speyer, Germany.

And Don't Miss... A Publishing Management Committee report on a whole crop of new publications available from NFCYM; A list of new diocesan directors of youth ministry; Our occasional round-up of news and events throughout the country: Did You Know?

A Final Note Management guru, Tom Peters, says that innovative organizations learn the value of bringing creative products and services online fast and then making course corrections as needed. He calls this a "Ready, Fire, Aim!" mindset—in opposition to the "Ready, Aim, Aim, Aim..." philosophy of many organizations. Connections "fired" with its first online, bimonthly edition last summer. We are proud of the results and the feedback, but found we needed to "aim" a little more. We were a little too optimistic projecting a bimonthly publishing schedule, even for an online magazine, so we've returned to our quarterly publication calendar. Look for our next issue in the spring.