Speaking to Youth: Respect Message!

*Please note: the following news story is the property of this author and can only be published with his permission.

by: Daniel S.

Daniel Smrokowski, parishioner and student at Roosevelt University, spoke in Holy Family Hall at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish before a dozen high school students on Sunday, February 28, 2010. With experience from Special Olympics, Smrokowski talked about how everyone should respect those with intellectual disabilities. Dr. P, youth minster, knowing of Smrokowski's ambassadorship with Special Olympics, asked him to bring his message to the youth ministry.

Smrokowski spoke about a national campaign called "Spread the Word to End the Word" which is backed by both Special Olympics and Best Buddies International. In this campaign, everyone is encouraged to go to http://r-word.org/ to learn how to help in eliminating use of the word "retard(ed)" in everyday speech. It is hurtful to everyone with intellectual disabilities.

Smrokowski also talked about Special Olympics. He described his experiences as an athlete on the SEASPAR Special Olympics Swim Team, as well as its Slammers high school basketball team. Smrokowski is a Global Messenger (spokesperson) for Special Olympics Illinois. Trained in March 2009 as a Global Messenger, he speaks to community groups such as the Knights of Columbus.

Smrokowski encourages everyone to listen to his Special Chronicles Podcast, available online and by free subscription at http://specialchronicles.tk/.

The February presentation to Holy Trinity youth concluded with a quote from Albert Einstein. Einstein once said, "It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” Smrokowski interprets this to mean that we all have gifts. What matters is how hard we try.

Ash Wednesday Reported Reflection

by: Daniel S.

CHICAGO-- The date was Wednesday, February 17, 2010 and it was Ash Wednesday. On the Roosevelt University campus in the Academic Success Center disability services office, I came in with my ashes on my forehead and it actually served as a vital reminder to other Catholics and even one friend who is Jewish asked me if he can go to a Catholic church to receive ashes. I also heard and saw some commuters on the train, after seeing my ashes, talking about Ash Wednesday and encouraging one young male Amtrak employee, who I discovered was Catholic, to head to Mass to receive ashes. I even recommended Old St. Patrick's Church which is a few blocks away from Union Station on Adams street near the highway (the name of the highway escapes me since I don't drive in the city).

Someone else even told me that they saw ashes being distributed at the train station-- this sparked a question: is it okay for clergymen to distribute ashes at the train station or on the street?

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"Lent Is Here" blog post from the college radio program that I host

May you all a blessed and holy season of Lent!

God Bless,

~Daniel

Online Friends Vs. Reality Friends

We all have friends--but do we have more friends in reality or just in virtual reality, online? This is the question that I would like to ponder today. I was recently thinking about how many friends I have ... in real life compared to all of my online friends on social networking sites such as Facebook or the SQPN Community that I have never actually personally met compared to all "few," but still good friends that I have in real life. This is a growing aspect in our 21st century, online-driven society, as more and more people are using the Internet to communicate through Facebook, Twitter, or even online community sites such as SQPN Connect, the place where the SQPN Community meets! Now, before I continue I would like to take this moment to tell you about what SQPN is.

SQPN is the Star Quest Production Network, in which they are a new media network of free Catholic programming. At SQPN.com, you will find many awesome, interesting, and some just humorous Catholic podcasts! There are even some podcasts that are not even geared for Catholics, but are geared for everyone in society...so please do not let the term, "Catholic," turn you away, but instead let the "SQPN" network invite you to new possibilities of inspiration! I can promise you that once you listen to one show, you will want to listen to many others, and I can tell you that you will learn something new about the world, about the faith, technology, movies, TV Shows, or culture!

It is through networks like SQPN that I have many new "social" friends online. In reality, I can honestly say that it is because of the Special Olympics that I have made some more friends ... and friends that you can actually see! So, is this a good or bad thing to have more friends online or in reality? Well, I would let you decide for yourself and come to your own conclusion.

Please prayerfully consider helping the Star Quest Production Network this year with a donation during their 2010 Giving Campaign. Along with donating either a one-time donation (which is what I did), you can also make a monthly donation. But, there is another way to support SQPN and that is through your purchases on Amazon! On SQPN.com, there is an Amazon store link where you can purchase the same awesome items at the same low price and if you buy through the Amazon link on SQPN.com, a portion of the profits will go to and help SQPN!

Click here to donate to SQPN.

Shop at Amazon and Support SQPN: US Store! ~ Don't live in the US? Don't worry, Have no fear! You can also go to the SQPN Store: Canadian Store, Canadian Store, German Store, French Store. So, the next time that you make a purchase at Amazon, please consider going to the SQPN Amazon store link first!

Thanks and have a great day!

God Bless,

Daniel

A Very Special Birthday Greetings Today!

Hello everyone,

Today in honor of my birthday today, I am posting another post on my blog. This post is going to be that along, just a quick post to celebrate my birthday. Today is a pretty big birthday... is an age where there are more adult responsibilities. I don't really feel that much older--at least right now. But, I can say that it feels good to be one more than twenty years old. What else do I say? I think I need to rethink the whole blogging thing-- what do you blog about? I do enjoy podcasting. As you know from my previous post, I have started a new podcast - "Special Chronicles." I am excited for a couple of presents that I have asked about and these include: a Behringer Podcastudio Bundle; as well as some headphones that cover your whole ears that are noise cancellation. For more information later. And, keep a look out for episode #2 of my new podcast coming out within the next couple of days... as soon as I learn how to use the podcastudio bundle and record another episode! And, thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday on facebook, in person, and any other birthday greetings!

Thanks,

Daniel

COMING TO A PODCAST NEAR YOU: Special Chronicles Podcast

I would like to share with you my new podcast that I am starting. I will begin recording soon. I'm just waiting for approval to use this one song as my theme song, and hopefully will hear back within the next day or so.

Check out my website and leave feedback:

Call my Voice Feedback #: (630) 384-9137

email: specialchronicles@dansmrokowski.com

Podcast website: Special Chronicles Podcast

I look forward to hearing from you!

-Daniel

Winter Travel Trip to Camp Hill, PA

Hello readers,

During the New Years holiday, I took a trip to Harrisburg, PA (specifically-- Camp Hill, PA) to visit my cousins. Read my travel blog post for more about my trip and the transportation that I took there.

Here are some of my latest updates for you to check out:

• My Travel Blog

• A Conversation With Dan & Ry website
• Listen here to A Conversation With Dan & Ry or here.
• Listen to Episode 4: Holiday Hoopla - listen here or here.

Also, I would like to encourage you to check out:

• KLove
• SQPN - The Star Quest Production Network - Leading the Way in Catholic New Media
• Busted Halo - an online magazine for spiritual seekers

Wishing you and your family a very merry and blessed Christmas and a happy new year!

God bless,

Daniel

Announcing WYMC, a new media production network!

Hello bloggers and readers,

I would like to share with you a new blog-website that I've created for this new media production network that my cousin, Ry, and I have created. I would like to announce to you our new media production network where we specialize in fascinating, exceptional multimedia shows-- WYMC: what yoda my cheese production network.

Please check out our blog-website, linked below, for updates and episode releases of our affiliated podcasts.

WYMC: what yoda my cheese blog-website

Stay tuned for new episodes of my podcast, PhotoCast! Also, I will soon be ustreaming live again- Check out the Live Podcast Shows page on my website when I broadcast live; and be sure to follow me on twitter for a tweet when I broadcast live.

And, remember to listen to my show, R U Inspired?, on WRBC: the blaze, RU's student-run streaming radio station. Listen this Friday, Dec. 18th, 2009 from 3-4PM CST for inspirational, Christian holiday Christmas music in honor of the Christmas holiday approaching in a week.

God Bless,

Daniel