Wednesday May 02nd 2007, 12:30 am
Filed under: DJ Bill's Shows
So what is YOUR initial reaction to that statement? I am guessing it would be something like “Yes! I agree 100%!” or something more like “No way! All you need is God!” or maybe more like “What is an inflatable obstacle course?”
Whatever your reaction is this was a statement made by a member of a Diocesan Youth Council member from the Diocese of Rochester, NY who was accustomed to always having one at their junior high youth rally during the entertainment and activity time.
Now, I enjoy the inflatable stuff as much as the other guy but this rally decided to instead of place money into this type of entertainment, they would invest in something new, different and exciting! Yep. They invested in DJ Bill.
Change can be tough. Change can be difficult. However, trying something new can have AMAZING RESULTS!!
The nice thing about investing in my show was that I was able to be a part of the whole day not just the entertainment and activity time. I was able to start up the youth rally with spontaneous fun and games while people were entering the room. I even had made a rule that for the first 30 minutes no one could sit down. As people came in, they saw that everyone was standing and no one was sitting down so they stood too! Right before the MC’s took the stage I taught everyone the Catholic Dance and challenged them to share their faith by teaching it to their friends at the schools and churches. This was happening before the day was scheduled to begin.
Later that day before the official entertainment time I had everyone play a large group game that luckily no one broke any bones and everyone had a great time!
When the official time came for entertainment, no one even missed the obstacle course and enjoyed the music and fun that was provided.
After gathering again for dinner and Mass, once again I was called on to engage the group while releasing them for dinner. Slowly releasing groups for dinner while having the rest work up a healthy appetite!
At the end of the day we all celebrated Mass and left on a high note praising God for his goodness and his call to “Walk His Way!”
I don’t think anyone missed the inflatable obstacle course but I promise you they all had fun!
May 2nd is only one week away! Mark your calendar now!!
My guess is that you are like…ok DJ Bill. Why am I marking my cool calendar on May 2nd? Well, that is an easy answer. I am going “Inside the Youth Minister’s Studio” to be interviewed! There will be a 10 minute podcast that will allow people to get to know a little more about who I am, why I am a DJ who does National things and what the toughest things that face my ministry and youth ministry as a whole.
My friend Scott Miller who works out in Baltimore for the Archdiocese of Baltimore made a New Year’s resolution to post a weekly podcast of youth ministers, youth leaders and Catholic entertainers on his blog. So far, into May he has kept his resolution and I am who will be on May 2nd!
Check it out, let Scott know that you are thankful that he is doing this and continue to support him by checking out all of the posted interviews!
Finally..I found a video of the Catholic Dance on YouTube! I did a search for my friend Jesse Manibusan and found 2 videos. Once was him in Las Vegas during a “Dance Off” and the other one was some people who were in attendance of the show who filmed Jesse dancing to the Catholic Dance! It is me up on stage and my crazy voice over the main speakers. Crazy!! The thing is that this video shows a large group of people doing the Catholic Dance. Check it out…
I am still going to do a video of the Catholic Dance at some point but until then this is a small taste of what the Catholic Dance is. It is silly, it is fun, it is something that a group of people can do to celebrate their joy and love for Christ! It is all about Full, Active, Conscious Participation in your Catholic Faith!
It is very true. I am more than a DJ. In fact, in certain ways I am not a DJ at all. I do not use LP’s or Records. I do not “Scratch” or “Mix”. What I do is entertain! I create an environment for groups of youth that is fun, inviting, free and very much God focused. I do use music and yes…most of the things I end up doing resemble “exercise” but above all I connect with youth and adults by allowing them to be themselves. I perform and speak and have fun. Through it all I allow kids to be kids but challenge them to look differently. Look differently at the music they listen too. Also challenge them to look at the skills that God has given them and how they can use them to better themselves, their family, their parish and their world.
I have branded myself as “DJ Bill” so people can remember who I am and that I can provide music, entertainment and dancing…but I am much more than just a DJ.
Don’t take my word for it…if you look at my “rave review” section of this website you can read what some of the people who have seen me have said. The title of this blog entry is from my friend Kevin who I worked for in Nov. 2006. He is a great Diocesan Youth Leader and said some very nice words about me. (Thanks Kevin!) I also have a few more to add over the next few days so check back often.
GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME! Now believe it and LIVE IT!
Yes…it is true. Go to Google, Yahoo or MSN and do a search for Catholic Dance and we are the number 1 and number 2 results!
I am glad to see that for those keywords my site comes up first. Not sure how many people in the world are searching right now for the words Catholic Dance but it is nice to know that if they are…they will find my little site.
Hopefully after National Catholic Youth Conference 2007 in Ohio we will make this site very popular for all the youth across the USA! It is good to have a goal!!
