Today's youth are exposed to so many ideas, images, and messages which leaves them vulnerable. Combining these natural stimuli with the normal tendencies of adolescents to push boundaries, challenge authority, explore who they are, and make sense of the world can easily create an equation for disaster. Technology puts the entire universe at the fingertips of this generation of young people. The amount of information people have access to today is extraordinary. Our kids do not see or hear as much about the compassionate, humane gestures that people do for others.
Instead, they are exposed to violence, war and a sexual culture sending endless messages of all kinds, both good and bad. Our kids are being exposed to images of hate, cruelty, violence, and plain vulgarity. I'm sure that most of us can recall when the professional baseball players were spitting in the umpire's face and the hockey players clubbing their competitors, and not being held accountable. Let's not forget the repulsive raunchiness that is displayed on daytime talk shows and the unsavory business practices by large corporations. How can we forget all the elected government officials admitting to adultery, drug use and bribery. Our kids are being bombarded with an unrelenting assault of immoral messages when combined with other social toxins, becomes more challenging to raise kids.
These sinister influences in today's society jeopardize all efforts our kids have to conform into becoming responsible adults possessing high standards of morality. I have been told, as many other parents have, that our kids learn good character traits by watching others conduct themselves in an appropriate manner. Like many other parents, I am extremely sensitive towards the well being of others. We all agree that all too often, our kids don't see or hear nearly as much about the compassionate, humane gestures that people do for others.
As a devote Catholic and having a family of his own, Frank knows the importance of laying the ground work for today's youth in becoming the future forerunners in upholding the traditional values of what is right and good in the world. He is helping them in mastering the skills of become the "new-sprung" icons of marriage, family life, or the single life which holy lay people offer. Frank's genuine devotion has commanded much appreciation amongst the parents as well as "his kids". Frank has conquered the daunting forces perpetuating malicious, frightening and obscured images. Leading by example, he has enhanced their moral growth by demonstrating the goodness that grows each time they put their needs aside to help others. The youth program includes a balance of fellowship, fun, education, worship, and service. Frank's words and actions reflect the values that we want to teach our kids; honestly, kindness, patience, and forgiveness, to name a few. When his young people get involved in a service project where they are giving back and being of service to others, you can literally see the Spirit rise in them. The needs in this broken world of ours are limitless.
Frank's philosophy of promoting the spiritual growth of today's teens is to,"target or goal; the target at which we aim our lives looks like an archery target with four rings". "At the center of the target, the bulls eye, we have Jesus, who came into the world to show us how to live life to the fullest. He is where we will find everything we're looking for; he is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. The next ring is labeled prayer. Prayer is how we come to know Jesus and to understand his word is the next ring. We were made to live together as one. The last ring out is discipleship because the fruit and grace borne from the inner rings of the target is to be taken out into the world to give away for the benefit of God's who creation. If we can't keep Jesus as our target, our goals cannot be met. We don't need to apprehend or acquire Jesus somewhere like a consumer product. Jesus is already in our hearts. The one thing that young people love about Jesus is that he's radical! Frank's ministry is about helping young people find Jesus within themselves through faith, love, compassion and generosity. These are all the things that make their lives full".
Being an active participant in my church and having known and worked with Frank for many, many years, I have witnessed the significant progress that he has accomplished in the moral development of teens and more importantly, the long-term effects it has produced. We as parents, have tremendous demands on our time, hemming us into a specific and confined circuit or track. They may seem as mountains, blocking out anything and everything that might exist beyond. Daily schedules, no matter how urgent or how bland, can become the ultimate reality to us. For the sake of our children's future, we need to continue to value the importance of Frank's ability in teaching our young people to grow and become caring, decent, human beings.