Youth Ministry Monthly Update- December 28, 2020

Merry Christmas! As we continue to celebrate the birth of Christ may we continue to be transformed by the presence of God in our lives. Back in November, I was planning and looking forward to several Advent activities for YM. With the safer at home restrictions we were forced to rethink Advent.  In a sense we went back to the basics to a simple Bible study where teens gathered to read and discuss the readings for each Sunday. Through the study I was reminded that sometimes the best thing to do is to clear away the excess and simply provide a chance for people to encounter God. He will do the rest. I look forward to being able to gather together in person when we are able to do so. God Bless!

​Reminders:​

• Stay connected and help us connect with your teens by completing the sign up form and communication consent form.

Communication with minors consent form

Youth Group Sign up form
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• Gospel Reflections- We have had some of our teens write reflections for the Sunday Gospel. These are written by teens for teens, although the entire parish can benefit! The reflections are shared on Instagram, flocknote, and the parish website every Friday. Please let me know if your teen (8th-12th grade) would like to write one! Thank you to the 14 teens who have shared reflections.

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December Recap:​​

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• High School small groups: The two High School small groups continued to meet through December. Due to the ban on indoor gatherings, the teens grabbed their blankets, dressed in layers, and continued to meet outside around a fire. The girls group has been focusing on deepening their understanding and habits of prayer while the guys group has been studying the words and actions of St. Peter in the Gospels. I hope to add two more groups in the near future. If you are interested in helping to form or join a group let me know.

Advent Zoom Bible Study:  We went virtual for the first time this year. Teens gathered each Monday to reflect on the Old Testament reading and Gospel for each of the Sundays in Advent. We welcomed some new faces as well. If you missed out, we will be doing a similar Bible Study (hopefully in person) for Lent. Take the poll to let me know if Monday or Tuesday works better for you!

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• Giving Tree Delivery: Thank you to the families who helped to deliver the Giving Tree Gifts to St. Raymond of Penafort Parish, St. Joan of Arc Mission, and Guadalupe Family Services.​

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Upcoming Events

• 2021 Scripture Challenge- Teens, how well do you know the Bible? Have you memorized any verses to share with others and for your own encouragement? Take our 2021 Scripture challenge. Click the video below for all the details. Raffle prizes will be given out at every event in 2021. Join the text list to be sent the verse every Sunday, check Instagram, or install the Verses app and join out group. Links are in the video description as well!​​

• Bible in a Year Podcast- with Father Mike Schmitz- Tune into this new podcast starting on January first. Each day Fr. Mike will read a few chapters from the Bible and give a brief reflection. Each episode will be 20-25 minutes. If you listen to every episode you will hear the entire Bible! Consider reading along as well.​

Movie Night- Fatima Join us Friday January 22nd at 6:00 to pray the rosary and then watch Fatima (PG-13, released in 2020). Fatima depicts the miraculous apparition of Mary to three children in Portugal in 1917. Before the movie we will learn briefly about what the Church teaches on apparitions.

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Adoration, Evening Prayer, and Indoor yard games- Friday February 5th, 2021 5:00pm-8:00pm. Join us at 5:00 for Adoration followed by Evening vespers. After the closing Benediction we will head to the parish hall where there will be giant Jenga, spikeball, Kan Jam, cornhole, and snacks. Please let me know if you have a cornhole set that we can borrow!

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Congrats and thank you to Frank Amuso and Nora Furletti for joining the Parish Pastoral Council. Frank was selected through the regular process and Nora was appointed as the teen rep. Together they will join Nora Blatney who is starting her second year as a teen rep. It is great to have these three teens serving our parish and contributing their time and insight. Please keep them in your prayers!

OMC YM Snow Patrol- We are currently putting together a list of people in the neighborhood who could use help shoveling snow. If you know anyone who could use help in the future please let me know. If your teen would be willing to help for a couple of hours on the next snow day let me know as well!