Last night, I gave a talk at Joe Bologna’s for Firestarters. Here is an outline of the talk, so you can share, as I think that these points may be good for all, and not just the young adults. 🙂

Here’s a link to a Word version of this, which will be prettier and formatted for printing.  🙂

1. Know your faith
a. You can’t hang on to what you don’t have!
b. But I’m busy!
     i. Have a portion of the Bible or CCC e-mailed to you.  The e-mail can serve as a reminder, plus we tend to make time to read e-mail when we don’t make time to sit down with a book.
          ii. Multitask.  Attend events like F3 which can combine friend-time and meal-time with something that can inform you in your faith.
          iii. Listen to faith-related podcasts.  You can find homilies and talks online that you can listen to on your daily commute, while running or anytime.
         iv. Fill your feed-reader with websites from orthodox Catholic bloggers.  This way, their posts will collect for you to read whenever you have a free moment.

2. Maintain your relationship with God
a. Pray
        i.  Make time
1. Set an alarm on your calendar.
2. Set aside a specific time per day.
          ii.  Make a point to pray before meals, when you wake up, when you go to bed
          iii.  Visit the chapel, even if just for 5 minutes, e.g. on your way to the store or on your way home
          iv.  Make sure your prayer isn’t just a list of things you want
b. Make use of the sacraments – they actually work!

3. Stay motivated
a. Keep your eyes on the prize!
  i.  Figuratively – we want to end up home in Heaven:  what in my life will/will not help me get there?
          ii.  Literally – add something visual to your environment that will remind you
1. This is not just for your home!  Maybe also your car, workplace, rosary in your pocket…
b. No man is an island
          i.  Make and foster friendships in your life that nurture your faith
          ii.  Try to work together, support each other
c. Serve others
          i.  Great way to stay humble and focused on what’s really important in life
d. Think of it as staying spiritually healthy
          i.  While you are at it, don’t forget to exercise both your body and your mind.  We are body/soul mixes, and neglecting either part is unhealthy

4. Don’t despair!
a. We all mess up!
          i.  Don’t rationalize your way into greater sin
          ii.  Go to confession
          iii.  Forgive yourself and move on
          iv.  Forgive others
b. Pick up where you left off

And, kind of going along with this theme, here is a link to a great article from the National Catholic Register, outlining “Ten Silly Reasons You Won’t Pray Today (and Why You Should Reconsider).” Enjoy!