C.J. kept a journal for the last few years of his life as he documented his journey with cancer and how his faith was challenged and tested. He also shared life and how his relationship and understanding of God grew as well. Here is just a peek into the amazing faith life of this young man:
June 21, 1974
Tonight I’m writing to record what must be a minor miracle. For the past 2 months, I have felt so physically and mentally low that I couldn’t remember what feeling good was like. At 18, I feel worthless, futureless, and worst-of-all, faithless.
But a couple of nights last week I went outside late at night and I talked to God. Notice I didn’t say prayed to Him but talked. I have always felt that I would have to accept whatever He has in store for me, but I never really understood this until last week. I also have always felt that you have to meet His plans head-on and deal with them as best you can, but I understood this better last week, too. I had begun looking to God as someone who set down a plan without any consideration for the person involved, but I know better now. In the talk I had with God, I tried to explain my feelings about the things that are happening to me, and somehow at the time, I felt I was getting a response. I felt I was communicating. As if He is answering my pleas Himself, things have changed for me lately.
I’m suddenly feeling better than I have in months. I know all of this may end tomorrow, but it has served as a reinforcement of my faith. Faith is something very hard for me to talk about, but I know if you can keep strong in your faith, everything else holds together easily. I am being totally honest when I say I depend on my faith. Wow. I’m getting into some heavy stuff. I’ve thought very, very much about my faith and could write pages and pages about it. I think to sum up all my feelings about it all I need to say is that I believe in God, I trust Him, and I find hope in Him. When you boil it all down, faith is actually a very simple thing.
The following ministry-specific job descriptions identify the type of work, term of service, and other details of each internship position:
SUMMER EVANGELIZATION COORDINATOR
30 hours per week (360 hours total)
May 2023 to August 2023 (based on school schedule)
$5000.00 paid directly to the institution of higher education at the end of the first semester (December 2023).
Up to $500 mileage reimbursement paid directly to the intern at the end of the internship (August 2023).
Collaborates with the Associate Director of Youth Evangelization in planning and implementing summer ministry events for middle and high school youth in order to help bring the young church more fully into a relationship with Christ (i.e. mission trips, service programs, prayer, community building activities, etc.)
Invests time to develop relationships with youth through interpersonal skills and small group leadership.
Coordinates registration databases, analyze ministry event evaluation, and provides research regarding youth ministry.
ANNUAL EVANGELIZATION COORDINATOR
Up to 10 hours per week (360 hours total)
August 2023 to May 2024 (based on school schedule)
$5000.00 paid directly to the institution of higher education in two $2500 payments at the end of each semester (December 2023 / May 2024)
Up to $500 mileage reimbursement paid directly to the intern at the end of the first semester in two payments (December 2023/May 2023).
Collaborates with the Associate Director of Youth Evangelization in planning and implementing summer ministry events for middle and high school youth in order to help bring the young church more fully into a relationship with Christ (i.e. monthly middle school events, retreats, social events, service programs, prayer, community building activities, etc.)
Invests time to develop relationships with youth through interpersonal skills and small group leadership.
Coordinates registration databases, analyze ministry evaluations, and provides research regarding youth ministry.
Participates in team meetings, strategy sessions, and professional development with pastors, deanery parish leadership, and Catalyst Catholic team.
MEDIA COORDINATOR
Up to 10 hours per week (360 hours total)
May 2023 to May 2024 (based on school schedule)
$5000.00 paid directly to the institution of higher education in two $2500 payments at the end of each semester (December 2023 / May 2024)
Up to $500 mileage reimbursement paid directly to the intern at the end of the first semester in two payments (December 2023/May 2023).
Collaborates with the Associate Director of Communications and Parish initiatives in planning and implementing deanery-wide media and communications efforts.
Assists with ongoing updating of communications databases.
Creates copy and graphics for communication with target audiences through direct mailing campaigns and social media (Instagram and Facebook).
Captures and edits photographs and videos of ministry events.
Utilizes working knowledge of media resources including Canva, Squarespace, Flocknote, Neartail, etc.
ATHLETIC MINISTRY COORDINATOR
Up to 10 hours per week (360 hours total)
May 2023 to May 2024 (based on school schedule)
$5000.00 paid directly to the institution of higher education in two $2500 payments at the end of each semester (December 2023 / May 2024)
Up to $500 mileage reimbursement paid directly to the intern at the end of the first semester in two payments (December 2023/May 2023).
Collaborates with the Associate Director of Athletics in planning and implementation of deanery athletic programming for youth (PreK through 12th grade).
Assists with day-to-day operations (i.e. scheduling, scoring, overseeing concession stands, first aid, etc.)
Manages equipment, uniforms, and concession stand products.
Reviews and updates sport-specific rule books and training materials for volunteer coaches.