Fall 2002 Newsletter

REAP Team Newsletter
Read It and REAP!
Fall 2002

GIVEAWAY #7 The Rappin' Priest

Be one the first two people to reply with the correct name of the following man, and you'll win a hackey-sack.

Name the Franciscan priest who lives in South Bronx, NY and is well known for his music, including rap songs, such as "The Zipper Zone." Here is a hint.

News from our last givaway!!! AND THE WINNER IS...

The best reply from our "What's in the Can?" contest came from Jen of Hazelwood...Congratulations. She received "the can" in the mail to do with it whatever she wishes. Here's her response:

The activity "What's in the Can?" was a great insight as to how we should not judge each other by appearance. The can had no label so in order to know what was in it we would have to open it. In a way the same goes for getting to know one another. To know what a person it really like you really have to "open" them up.

*****

Ask Heather

If you have a random question about LOVE, SEX, or RELATIONSHIPS, please send it my way (heather@reapteam.org). You might see your question published in future editions of this nifty little newsletter.

Dear Heather,
I've had sex in the past and know it has really affected me--I want to live chastity now. As a young man, can I really start over and how can I heal so that I can truly love women in the future? --Lost

Dear Lost,
MOST CERTAINLY you can start over with Christ. "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone away; Behold the new has come!" - 2 Cor 5:17 For a thorough answer to your question, read the first two parts of...Starting Over

*****

MOVIE MANIA...

If you're anything like us in the REAP office, you love to hear about Catholics in the media and anything concerning "The Lord of the Rings". So, it's extremely cool to know that a strong Catholic, JRR Tolkien, wrote the book series that inspired the movies. "Fellowship of the Ring" was just released on Video/DVD. Next in the series, "The Two Towers", will come to the big screen this December (yippee!). Learn about some of the Christian symbolism in Tolkien's stories online.

*****

Keep the Holy Spirit Stirred UP!

The REAP Team believes that making a commitment to Christ is the most important aspect of a teen's life. This decision "stirs up" the Holy Spirit that was given to us at Baptism. To view actual talks from teens and adult on HOW to keep the Holy Spirit stirred up, check out our new Video Testimonies.

*****

Sometimes Life is Too Funny...

The following are excerpts of letters sent to landlords.

· The toilet is blocked and we cannot bathe the children until it is cleared.

· The toilet seat is cracked: where do I stand?

· I am writing on behalf of my sink, which is running away from the wall.

· I request your permission to remove my drawers in the kitchen.

· Will you please send someone to mend our cracked sidewalk? Yesterday my wife tripped on it and is now pregnant.

*****

Cool Websites...

-Easily listen to great Christian music online

-Check out this easy way to look up anything in the Catechism

- Cool spiritual movies, e-cards and more

*****

REAP Team members in "Celebrity Status"

Prayer warrior and former REAP Team member Colleen Carroll, recently wrote a book, "The New Faithful...Why Young Adults Are Embracing Christian Orthodoxy." It is an awesome book about the energy and passion of young Christians. Also, we are extremely blessed that it mentions our humble, local REAP Team! Reviews on the book are available online.

See Amazon for an inexpensive copy of the book...

REAP Team member Stacey Holgate (now Stacey Chik) recently had an article published online. Check out her article "Marital Chastity and Natural Family Planning"--it's awesome and quite deep. You go Stacey!

Heather Gallagher, REAP Team employee, was written about in the publication Everyday Catholic. This publication is stuffed into over 250,000 Church bulletins across the country.

*****

Sweet analogy about the mystery of God and our understanding of it:

"We are like a small paper cup and God is like the immense ocean", by Dan Finucane of REAP

Be Christ in your community--Ideas for doing something special for others...

This fall, you could be a blessing to others! Please check out Hugs and Hope, a ministry designed to share the love of God with families of critically ill children. Through this website, volunteers from across the country can send emails, cards, gifts, and donations to the children, their siblings, and parents. Many of the families have no other support outside of Hugs and Hope and many endearing friendships have been made through this organization.

Retreat Opportunities:

- A QUEST retreat is offered for teens ages 14 to 16. It will take place November 22 -- 23 at Our Lady Parish in Festus. For more details and a registration form, call 636.933.2088.

-All high school women are invited to attend "We are Women of God!"--an overnight, faith-filled and woman-centered experience. November 8 --9, 2002 at Maria Center. To register or get more details, call Kellie at 314.662.3284

*****

REAP NEWS

Fundraising Update...

Whenever you think about it, like now, please pray for the REAP Team's fundraising effort. We have a goal of raising $25,000 by the end of December -- in order to keep the REAP Team on solid financial ground.

So far, thanks be to God, we have raised just over $10,000 in donations and pledges! To make a donation to the REAP Team, you can send a check or money order payable to "The REAP Team" to us at the following address -

The REAP Team
27 Grand Circle Drive
Maryland Heights, MO 63043

Thanks for your prayers and any other support you can offer!

SPORTS EQUIPMENT and a DIGITAL CAMERA needed!

If you, or anyone you know, would have access to, and the ability to donate, sports equipment that we could use on our retreats, we'd really appreciate it. We frequently go through many footballs, soccer, volley and basketballs, as well as frisbees and baseball equipment. Wal-Mart gift certificates would even be awesome so we could stay well stocked on such items.

Also, we are seeking a digital camera to enhance our web ministry. If you know anyone who would be willing to donate one, we'd truly appreciate that as well.

WANT TO WORK IN RETREAT MINISTRY???

The REAP Team will be hiring a part-time employee for the spring semester (January -- May, 2003), as we sadly say goodbye to Paul Halfmann, a REAP member for over 13 years. He'll still be volunteering, but no longer on staff. The position would include working 14 hours per week as a team member on retreats. This typically ends up being two day retreats per week (sometimes evening and weekend hours might be necessary). If you, or someone you know, might be interested in the job, please contact the REAP office (314.298.9597) and send in an resume (see address above).

*****

(To be removed from this e-mail list at any time, simply send a message with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line, and your e-mail address in the body of the note.)