By Sam M. Lucero
Catholic Herald

Youth share laughs, lessons at Rice Lake rally

SUPERIOR -- Catholic youth minister Jesse Manibusan used song, Scripture and Spam to deliver his motivational message to some 200 participants at this year's diocesan Youth Rally April 21 at St. Joseph School gym.

While the first two components are common ingredients at most youth rallies, the Spam connection set Manibusan's presentation apart from previous youth rally speakers.

So did his hefty physical stature.

The bleach blond Hispanic musician wore high top sneakers, shorts and a yellow T-shirt emblazoned with a happy face. Even at a Ricky Martin concert Manibusan would stand out in the crowd.

But his appearance was part of Manibusan's message: no matter how different you seem to be, God believes in you and loves you.

As for the Spam, not only is it one of Manibusan's favorite delicacies, he said it stands for important traits that can help guide one's life: Spirit, Peace (And) Mercy.

Manibusan had the teens laughing and singing along with him in a song about Spam. It used the music of the Backstreet Boys' popular "I Want It That Way." In chorus they sang, "I always want to hear you say, I want Spam my way."

Manibusan told the gathering that while so many negative cultural influences touch their lives, it is good to have a strong faith tradition to embrace.

"God gives us life. We may have disappointments, We may be really angry ... or depressed," he said. "It's good we can have a moment to say to God, 'Thank you for life.'"

While it was his first appearance in the Superior diocese, Manibusan is no stranger to youth rallies. He has performed at Catholic youth gatherings across the country and in Canada. In 1999 he was emcee and presenter for the National Catholic Youth Conference in St. Louis, Mo.

While not on the road, Manibusan is a pastoral musician at St. Joseph's Basilica in Alameda, Calif. He holds a master of arts degree in multicultural ministries from the Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley, Calif. He also has his own Web site -- www.jessemanibusan.com -- that includes Spam trivia.

In Rice Lake, Manibusan reminded the youth that as children of God they will be loved despite their mistakes. Faith is about ordinary people, he said, and they are called to holiness, just as Mary, the mother of Jesus, was. "What Mary said is what we need to say above all else: 'I am a child of God.'"

Ordinary people are called to a life of ministry, the speaker said. He urged youth to talk with a priest and learn how ordinary their lives are. "Be open to God, just like Mary was open to God."

Manibusan said that at times young people do not feel they should be loved by God.

"If you knew some of the things in my life you would say, 'Why is God using Jesse' " as a minister? he said. "It's not about me. It's about God.

"It's not an issue of whether we believe. It's an issue that we know God believes. Every time we mess up he says, 'Get up. I believe in you. Don't be afraid to be who you are. Get over it. Know who I am. Look to me and see a reflection of yourself,'" said Manibusan. "This is about God believing in us."

After playing a game of Simon Says, with prizes of M&Ms and a can of Spam, Manibusan talked about peer pressures and sexuality.

"We as Catholics need to understand what love is and what love isn't," he said. "If we want a model of love, we do not look to the TV or to CDs."

True love is found in people who reach out to people in need. "When someone says, 'I want to make love to you,' that's not love," he said.

The speaker explained how he "makes love" to his wife. It starts with putting on a pair of latex gloves. Then it continues by filling up the kitchen sink with water and dish soap and then washing dishes.

"Anybody who's in a relationship knows that (love) means taking care of the other person," he said. "What happens in the bedroom is called celebrating our sacrament" of marriage.

His message to the youth: "When someone says 'I want to make love to you,' say: 'Here's a broom. Step to it.'"

Manibusan ended his address by challenging youth to take seriously the words that are spoken at Mass. "... Don't ever take that prayer for granted," he said, adding that "Whatever Jesus touches changes. May our lives be changed."

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© Superior Catholic Herald, 2001