At 3.26am it finally happened.

The beginning of the school year is one of the busiest times I have in my role as Director of Youth Ministry at St Cecilia Catholic Church in San Francisco. One of the main responsibilities I hold is to lead the Youth Group at the parish, it is never dull I can tell you!

So our largest activity, and first of the academic year, is the annual SCYG (St Cecilia Youth Group) Lock-In. Essentially 78 teenagers, 2 male chaperones, 1 female chaperone, an unwitting friend, and I, "locked in" to our school's pavilion (sports hall for the English reader). I get no sleep at all. I find myself on tenter hooks as my charges sleep and, perchance dream.

The build up is nothing less than a roller coaster ride of fun, sports, a film or two, Mass, and lots of catching up. Spirits are high to say the least! So, it comes to the time of the evening when I turn the lights down and watch. Groups form circles with their heads together, lying in sleeping bags, and telling ghost stories, jokes, etc. it is difficult for young people to settle in this kind of situation. It is expected and I rather enjoy seeing them all interact.

But...sleep. For them, not me. I am responsible for these kids, and I imagine this is what a parent feels like when their child is at a party, or children are at their house visiting. I sit up, watch over my charges, and feel a sense of fulfillment. I came half way across the world for this job. Listening to the sound of 78 young people sleeping, I don't know. It may sound weird, but it makes me smile.

At 3.26am it finally happened.