Last week was a good week for me. I had the opportunity to teach another class over the diocesan ITV network for our Catechist Certification process, and while doing so I was able to hear Father Henry Hildebrandt teach a segment on the Holy Spirit and Church. I was also invited to speak to a group of Boy and Girl Scouts during their annual Quest weekend. In both cases I was again able to witness people deepening their understanding of the Holy Spirit as our comforter and guide. I was reminded that I need to remain much more open to the working of the Spirit.

With this said, I would like to take this time to focus more on Church. Father Henry asked the catechists to share what they thought the children would say, if asked what "Church" was. The response varied from "the building" to "the people of God," as described in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

If Church is the "People of God," how can we the "Body of Christ," take this and tie it to our youth? Maybe even more importantly, how do we tie it to our own personal lives?

It was a year ago in December while attending a youth conference in Denver that one of the keynote speakers, held up a single Brazil nut. She said that it took up to 70 years for a Brazil nut to grow into a tree that would produce additional nuts. I did a little research and found that these trees can live to be 800 years old, and yes, the minimum time for a seed to grow into a tree that produces additional nuts is 30 years. The speaker went on to say that fathers and their sons continually go out and plant Brazil nuts, so that generations to come, 70 years from now, will be able to reap the benefits of their labors. What a powerful sacrifice to offer for the sake of many people.

As I heard this, I began thinking about Church. Over the centuries, we have been able to experience the same thing. Many years ago, people planted seeds that have helped the Church grow into what it is today. In the year 2004, the same thing is happening. Decisions are being made that will help the Church grow, so that generation after generation will be able to reap the benefits of our labors.

"The Life of a Brazil Nut," 70 years or more! How can we as an individual in the Diocese of Dodge City plant seeds that will not only help our young people, but our faith community grow stronger? What steps are we taking to provide a stronger Body of Christ for future generations? Are we planting Brazil Nuts?