A New Transition of Sorts...

Dear Friends,

As of this month, I am beginning a new phase in my ministry life! As some of you know, I have been serving the Catholic Faith for almost 23 years in Youth Ministry. Recently, I have been accepted as a Candidate for the Diaconate in the Church, and beginning in August, my wife Karen and I will embark on a 3 and 1/2 year journey that will focus on my becoming an ordained Deacon in the Catholic Church. With God's help, and many prayers, this journey will become complete in December of 2013.

Relating with this step in ministry, I have also accepted a new position at my Parish, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Madison, Alabama. I am transitioning my role on the Parish Staff from Youth Minister to Director of Liturgy and Music. I will be assisting in the welcoming of a new YM, and helping guide the new program, offering any help I can. My new role is actually a continuation of a significant part of my job description that has evolved over the last couple of years. Liturgy and music, and the planning that goes with it, is a new adventure for me, and one that I think will begin to open another facet of ministry opportunity. I am excited to apply my gifts and talents to this new area, and I know I have a lot to learn! Please pray for patience, and an openness to new possibilities... I am ready to give this my all!

With respect to my 23 years in Youth Ministry, I humbly offer that I am NOT leaving! I have always felt God's call to serve the youth of our world, and I will continue to BE one who loves to bring the Faith to our young people. My journey into serving the Church's Liturgy and Music will expand my foundation in ministry that is very much grounded in "The Vision of Youth Ministry". While I may be handing off the role of Youth Minister in the parish, I am always a Youth Minister, and will continue to apply and adapt all that I have learned about ministry in my future journeys in serving and working for the Church.

With respect to the GregCast, I will continue to focus my efforts and attention to expanding this aspect of my personal ministry, for this is my LOVE; and the blogging and podcasting that have become "The GregCast" will continue to be a special part of my daily grind in the understanding of God's challenge for us all! The goal of the GregCast has always been to share the Faith "out loud", and that's just what this little extravert needs! So, stay tuned to the same 'ol "little guy", and his goofiness, as we all wrestle with the "meaning of it all"!

Thanks for everything, and we'll see you soon. The next GregCast is on the horizon! BTW, my vacation this summer was my first ever CRUISE... Wow! I saw really deep blue water, and beautiful sea green shallows. Snorkeling opened up a whole new world for me, and putting me in front of unlimited dining just might have stunted my vertical growth for good... My gut, on the other hand, grew just fine!

Peace,
Greg