Youth Ministry Monthly Update- May 18th, 2022
Hello Parents and Teens!I hope you are still enjoying this Easter season as we near the feasts of the Ascension and Pentecost. Congratulations to our teens who received the sacrament of Confirmation this past Sunday. The sacrament is truly a gift and I encourage each teen to cultivate that gift of faith first given by their parents and now taken on by each of them. On a personal note, my wife is very close to giving birth to our first child, she is due the 23rd. Once our baby arrives I will be taking a couple of weeks off to spend time at home with them. We have our summer schedule beginning in mid June. Depending on when the baby is born some events may need to be cancelled. Please keep us both in your prayers as we prepare for parenthood.
-Paul Cillo
Pastoral Associate for Youth and Young Adults
-Paul Cillo
Pastoral Associate for Youth and Young Adults
Reoccurring Reminders
Mentors needed for teen ministry!- We will be 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 will reach out to them.
Communications updates- We have a lot going on and we want all the teens of our parish to know about it. Fill out the communication form to help us connect with your son or daughter. Our service events are great opportunities for teens to meet me and learn more about what is going on at OMC while helping others. Events are promoted
Mentors needed for teen ministry!- We will be 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 will reach out to them.
Communications updates- We have a lot going on and we want all the teens of our parish to know about it. Fill out the communication form to help us connect with your son or daughter. Our service events are great opportunities for teens to meet me and learn more about what is going on at OMC while helping others. 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
Small Group RecapThis past year we had two small groups that met twice a month to connect and discuss different topics of faith. The guys group discussed the trinity, did a Bible study on the book of Job, and ended the year looking at living a moral life. The girls group did a study on women in the Bible, discussed the Holy Spirit, and ended the year sharing their own faith stories. Thank you to all the teens who committed to the groups and to Mike Breen, Katie Cillo, and Suzanne Laurito for leading the groups!
After prayer and reflection, I have decided to not continue with the small groups in the current format. Instead, next school year, we will meet every Sunday night for dinner and instead of having set small groups, we will break into groups based on who is there that night. I hope this format will allow more of our teens to come and experience small groups since there will be less of a commitment and more opportunities for teens to attend. Since we will be meeting every Sunday for dinner, I will need assistance with two things: 1) Adult mentors to help facilitate and assist with the small groups. 2) Families to provide meals (we will have a rotating menu)
After prayer and reflection, I have decided to not continue with the small groups in the current format. Instead, next school year, we will meet every Sunday night for dinner and instead of having set small groups, we will break into groups based on who is there that night. I hope this format will allow more of our teens to come and experience small groups since there will be less of a commitment and more opportunities for teens to attend. Since we will be meeting every Sunday for dinner, I will need assistance with two things: 1) Adult mentors to help facilitate and assist with the small groups. 2) Families to provide meals (we will have a rotating menu)
Summer Schedule
Sundays: 6:00pm-8:30pm Begins 6/12 and ends 8/21. No meeting 7/24 and 7/31
Mondays 9:00am-1:00pm
Tuesdays 2:00-5:00pm Begins 6/21 and ends 8/23. No meeting 7/26 and 8/2
Wednesdays 7:00am-9:00am Begins 6/22 and ends 8/24. No meeting 8/3
Fridays 9:00am-1:00pm
Spiritual check ins with Paul (30 minute sessions)
College and young adult Bible study- Students home from college, college age young adults, and young adults 30 and under are invited over to the Cillo's for a weekly Bible study, snacks will be provided. Wednesdays at 7. We will be starting in late June. Join the text list here
- Weekly dinner, brief faith discussion/reflection, and game/activity/socializing. Let Paul know if your family would like to host the event at your house otherwise we will meet at OMC in the large conference room and parish kitchen.
Mondays 9:00am-1:00pm
- Volunteer to cook and serve a meal at Face to face in Germantown. Three slots available each date. Open to all teens. See dates and sign up here.
Tuesdays 2:00-5:00pm Begins 6/21 and ends 8/23. No meeting 7/26 and 8/2
- Drop in to hang out, play games, chat with Paul, enjoy snacks and relax.
Wednesdays 7:00am-9:00am Begins 6/22 and ends 8/24. No meeting 8/3
- Join us for daily Mass (25 minutes) followed by a freshly made hot breakfast and hanging out.
Fridays 9:00am-1:00pm
- Volunteer to cook and serve a meal at Face to face in Germantown. Three slots available each date. See dates and sign up here.
Spiritual check ins with Paul (30 minute sessions)
- Schedule a time to talk with Paul about your faith, ask spiritual questions, or learn how to pray or grow as a disciple of Jesus. Teens are invited to meet as little as once during the summer or as often as once a week (10th-12th graders) depending on what they are hoping to get out of the sessions and their own maturity. Teens can also come with one or two friends for a small group session. A sign up genius with available times will be shared at the beginning of each month.
College and young adult Bible study- Students home from college, college age young adults, and young adults 30 and under are invited over to the Cillo's for a weekly Bible study, snacks will be provided. Wednesdays at 7. We will be starting in late June. Join the text list here
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.