Youth Ministry Monthly Update- April 20th, 2022
Hello Parents and Teens!
Happy Easter! I pray that all of you were able to enter into these last few days as we celebrated the Easter Triduum. We are entering the final few weeks of the school year. Below you will see the remaining events that we have scheduled. Our finalized Summer schedule will be shared in the May update. You will see some of the ideas we have at the bottom of this update. With the confirmation retreat behind us, 7th graders are now invited to come to our remaining events. I hope to see them in the next few weeks as well as over the summer. Please fill out the suggestion form here to let me know what events you are interested in. Parents please consider signing up your teen for the monthly email updates as well so they can hear about the events planned for them directly.
-Paul Cillo
Pastoral Associate for Youth and Young Adults
Happy Easter! I pray that all of you were able to enter into these last few days as we celebrated the Easter Triduum. We are entering the final few weeks of the school year. Below you will see the remaining events that we have scheduled. Our finalized Summer schedule will be shared in the May update. You will see some of the ideas we have at the bottom of this update. With the confirmation retreat behind us, 7th graders are now invited to come to our remaining events. I hope to see them in the next few weeks as well as over the summer. Please fill out the suggestion form here to let me know what events you are interested in. Parents please consider signing up your teen for the monthly email updates as well so they can hear about the events planned for them directly.
-Paul Cillo
Pastoral Associate for Youth and Young Adults
Reoccurring Reminders
Mentors needed for teen ministry!- We will making some changes to teen ministry as we enter our third year in September. I am looking for adults who will be willing to help mentor teens through small group leadership. Please let me know who you want to be a teen ministry mentor and I reach out to them.
Communications updates- We have a lot going on and we want the teens of our parish to know about it. Fill out the communication form to help us connect with your son or daughter. Events are promoted
Mentors needed for teen ministry!- We will making some changes to teen ministry as we enter our third year in September. I am looking for adults who will be willing to help mentor teens through small group leadership. Please let me know who you want to be a teen ministry mentor and I reach out to them.
Communications updates- We have a lot going on and we want the teens of our parish to know about it. Fill out the communication form to help us connect with your son or daughter. Events are promoted
- In the monthly update
- Via text leading up to it
- On Instagram
- With Altar announcements at mass
- In the Bulletin
- On the board in the church Vestibule

Lenten Recap
Service- During Lent, teens came together to shop for ingredients and to make a fresh home cooked meal for a Philadelphia Women Shelter. We look forward to doing this again next Lent!
Praying 101 Small Group- Over Lent we had a couple of teens meet every Wednesday to learn different ways of praying and to develop a habit of prayer. Small groups remain the best way for our teens to grow in their faith and form meaningful connections with other teens and adult mentors. We will be expanding our small group model in September.
Service- During Lent, teens came together to shop for ingredients and to make a fresh home cooked meal for a Philadelphia Women Shelter. We look forward to doing this again next Lent!
Praying 101 Small Group- Over Lent we had a couple of teens meet every Wednesday to learn different ways of praying and to develop a habit of prayer. Small groups remain the best way for our teens to grow in their faith and form meaningful connections with other teens and adult mentors. We will be expanding our small group model in September.
***Upcoming Events***
Easter Family Event- Sunday April 24th 10-11 and 12-1 We will be hosting a family Easter event on Sunday April 24th. There will be an Easter egg hunt, tye dye, face painting, cornhole, light refreshments, and crafts. We need teens (7th-12th) to help prep and run the activities. Sign up for one of the shifts. Sunday May 1st- Adulting 101 3:00-5:00 Teens are invited to learn some life skills during are second adulting 101. We will once again talk about personal finance, as well as baking, bike repair/maintenance, and home/fire safety. First Friday Adoration and Evening Prayer- May 6th 5:00 PM- Join us as we start our month with some adoration and communal prayer. See the schedule below. Teens can come late as long as they stay for closing prayer. The communal evening prayer is very beautiful though and parents are welcomed to stay. I need an adult to bbq some burgers, hot dogs, and sausages while we are at adoration. 5:00 personal silent adoration 5:30 Communal evening prayer (sung) 6:00 Dinner and social 8:00 Closing prayer. |
Summer Preview

Weekly Service at Face to Face- 3 volunteer spots for each date.
Sunday Night Gatherings- Dinner followed by outdoor games/activities. We will spend a brief time discussing a Gospel passage.
Afternoon drop in hours- Opportunity for teens to stop by and hang out. Snacks, candy, and drinks will be available.
Weekday Mass and Breakfast- Start your day with mass (only 25 minutes) followed by a nice hot breakfast. This was our most popular event last summer and is a great way to start your day.
Summer Spiritual Check ins- Teens have the opportunity to meet with Paul over the summer to discuss their faith, learn how to pray, or catch up. They have the option of meeting once a week, once a month, or just once over the summer. Open to college age adults too.
College and young adult Bible study- Young Adults home from college or simply college age are invited over to the Cillo's for a weekly Bible study, snacks will be provided.
Sunday Night Gatherings- Dinner followed by outdoor games/activities. We will spend a brief time discussing a Gospel passage.
Afternoon drop in hours- Opportunity for teens to stop by and hang out. Snacks, candy, and drinks will be available.
Weekday Mass and Breakfast- Start your day with mass (only 25 minutes) followed by a nice hot breakfast. This was our most popular event last summer and is a great way to start your day.
Summer Spiritual Check ins- Teens have the opportunity to meet with Paul over the summer to discuss their faith, learn how to pray, or catch up. They have the option of meeting once a week, once a month, or just once over the summer. Open to college age adults too.
College and young adult Bible study- Young Adults home from college or simply college age are invited over to the Cillo's for a weekly Bible study, snacks will be provided.
Ongoing Service and Other Opportunities
Teen Gospel Reflections- Teens and their parents are invited to subscribe to the weekly Gospel Reflection. The reflection is sent out every Friday at 2:00 and is based on the upcoming Sunday Gospel. Teens are also invited to write a short reflection for our community. Check out past reflections Here.
Hosts for Hospitals
Please consider spreading the word for Hosts for Hospitals and maybe even serving as a host. Our neighbors across the street at St. Paul's reached out asking for our help. Many people come to Philadelphia to receive specialized treatment. Many need help covering the cost of lodging. Learn more about how you can help at their website.
Volunteer at Face to Face
Over the summer, teens were invited to volunteer at Face to Face. This is a wonderful way to meet members of our community and serve a meal. Teens can sign up for shifts using the volunteer hub. While they can volunteer on their own, parents are encouraged to go with teens if its their first time, especially if they are in 8th-9th grade.
Hosts for Hospitals
Please consider spreading the word for Hosts for Hospitals and maybe even serving as a host. Our neighbors across the street at St. Paul's reached out asking for our help. Many people come to Philadelphia to receive specialized treatment. Many need help covering the cost of lodging. Learn more about how you can help at their website.
Volunteer at Face to Face
Over the summer, teens were invited to volunteer at Face to Face. This is a wonderful way to meet members of our community and serve a meal. Teens can sign up for shifts using the volunteer hub. While they can volunteer on their own, parents are encouraged to go with teens if its their first time, especially if they are in 8th-9th grade.
Weekend Mass Schedule
Saturday Vigil: 4:30 pm Sunday: 7:30 - 9:00 - 11:00* am *Livestream Weekday Mass Schedule Monday-Friday: 7:00 am |
9 E Chestnut Hill Ave - Philadelphia PA, 19118 Phone 215-247-0430 * Fax 215-247-2506 Copyright © 2015 |
Reconciliation/Confession
Wednesday: 7:00 - 8:00 PM Saturday: 3:30-4:00 pm First Friday Eucharistic Adoration September - June Exposition: 7:30 am - 5:30 pm Vespers & Benediction: 5:30 pm |