Youth Ministry Monthly Update- November 15th, 2021
Hello Parents and Teens,
The end of another Liturgical year is almost upon us! As we prepare to reflect on our blessings and give thanks to God, I invite you to consider joining us as we assemble and send our Boxes of Joy this week. Giving back and paying it forward are wonderful ways to express gratitude.
Advent is also quickly approaching. Advent and Lent are two seasons that are easy to enter into as disciples of Christ. OMC has many opportunities to enter into Advent as we prepare for Christmas. I sincerely hope each teen thinks of one thing they can do to keep this season connected to God. I looking forward to encountering the teens this Advent and celebrating the birth of Christ on Christmas. God bless!
Reminders:
Stay connected and help us connect with your teens by following the instagram page and filling out the communication form. The communication form will allow teens to receive text reminders for upcoming events
The end of another Liturgical year is almost upon us! As we prepare to reflect on our blessings and give thanks to God, I invite you to consider joining us as we assemble and send our Boxes of Joy this week. Giving back and paying it forward are wonderful ways to express gratitude.
Advent is also quickly approaching. Advent and Lent are two seasons that are easy to enter into as disciples of Christ. OMC has many opportunities to enter into Advent as we prepare for Christmas. I sincerely hope each teen thinks of one thing they can do to keep this season connected to God. I looking forward to encountering the teens this Advent and celebrating the birth of Christ on Christmas. God bless!
Reminders:
Stay connected and help us connect with your teens by following the instagram page and filling out the communication form. The communication form will allow teens to receive text reminders for upcoming events
Volunteers needed!- Thank you to the adults who have already signed up for our teen events. The presence of adult volunteers have been wonderful at our last few events. Your continued support is essential for teen ministry. You can sign up for a shift for the next few months here. I will continue to be at every event as well.
Arrival and Dismissal - Please pick up your teen in the OMC parking lot. Let me know via flocknote, a note, or email if your teen is going home with someone else or walking home. Unless we hear from a parent we are assuming each teen is being picked up my an immediate family member.
Arrival and Dismissal - Please pick up your teen in the OMC parking lot. Let me know via flocknote, a note, or email if your teen is going home with someone else or walking home. Unless we hear from a parent we are assuming each teen is being picked up my an immediate family member.
Recap of Recent Events:
All Hallows Eve3- We gathered for prayer, reflection, and pumpkin carving prior to All Saints Day and All Souls Day. At all of our teen events we aim to bring our faith into our everyday life. This event like many others was the combination of faith, community, fun, and service.
Upcoming Events
Box of Joy Service Project (open to 6th-12th graders)- Join us as we collect toys, school supplies, clothes, and hygiene items for children in other parts of the world. Our goal this is is to fill 75 boxes. Please also consider donating money to cover the cost of shipping. We will need help from teens on both nights below! Watch this video for more info.
Monday November 15th 7:00-8:00PM parish Hall - On this night we will be sorting through donations, assembling the boxes, and making holiday cards.
Thursday November 18th 7:00-8:00PM Parish Hall -On this night we will be filling the boxes with the collected donations.
Monday November 15th 7:00-8:00PM parish Hall - On this night we will be sorting through donations, assembling the boxes, and making holiday cards.
Thursday November 18th 7:00-8:00PM Parish Hall -On this night we will be filling the boxes with the collected donations.
Advent Bible Study Tuesdays 7:30-8:30 in the Teen Room (parish office)
Advent is a time of preparation. Enter into this season by joining our weekly Bible study. Each night will focus on the Gospel readings and will include time for reflection, prayer, and discussion. All teens in 8th-12th grade are welcome and no commitment is necessary. Come as you are able. November 30th, December 7th, 14th, and 21st.
First Friday Adoration - December 3rd
Remember teens can come late as long as they stay to the end. For December we will have dinner and a board game night. Trust me when I say the board games we play are not your typical board games. We will have Exploding Kittens, The Catholic Card game, Throw Throw Burrito, Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, Guitar Hero, corn hole, Splendor, Carcassone. Feel free to bring your own!
5:00-5:30 Personal Adoration/prayer
5:30-6:00 Communal Evening Prayer Service
6:00-6:30 Dinner - Vegetable Fried Rice, Teriyaki Chicken, Pot Stickers, and other snacks
6:30-8:15 Social
8:15-8:30 Closing prayer service
Adults, volunteer to help out.
Remember teens can come late as long as they stay to the end. For December we will have dinner and a board game night. Trust me when I say the board games we play are not your typical board games. We will have Exploding Kittens, The Catholic Card game, Throw Throw Burrito, Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, Guitar Hero, corn hole, Splendor, Carcassone. Feel free to bring your own!
5:00-5:30 Personal Adoration/prayer
5:30-6:00 Communal Evening Prayer Service
6:00-6:30 Dinner - Vegetable Fried Rice, Teriyaki Chicken, Pot Stickers, and other snacks
6:30-8:15 Social
8:15-8:30 Closing prayer service
Adults, volunteer to help out.
Chestnut Hill Presbyterian Church Visit- Sunday December 12th 10AM
We will continue to worship with other Churches by visiting Ches Pres. This is an opportunity to learn about other Christians while we recognize our shared faith in Jesus and God. Afterwards we will have brunch and talk about the experience. This is not about observing but rather about entering into the broader christian community while recognizing the uniqueness of our Catholic faith. Teens are encouraged to attend the vigil mass or the 7:30 mass in order to receive Jesus in the Eucharist.
Christmas Party- Wednesday December 29th 6:00-9:00pm
Join us for our first ever Teen Ministry Christmas Party. More details will be shared in the December 20th update.
We will continue to worship with other Churches by visiting Ches Pres. This is an opportunity to learn about other Christians while we recognize our shared faith in Jesus and God. Afterwards we will have brunch and talk about the experience. This is not about observing but rather about entering into the broader christian community while recognizing the uniqueness of our Catholic faith. Teens are encouraged to attend the vigil mass or the 7:30 mass in order to receive Jesus in the Eucharist.
Christmas Party- Wednesday December 29th 6:00-9:00pm
Join us for our first ever Teen Ministry Christmas Party. More details will be shared in the December 20th update.
Ongoing Service opportunities and other events
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.
2021 Scripture Challenge- The scripture challenge continues. Teens are invited to join at anytime and try to memorize some of the verses from the list. For each verse they know will receive a raffle ticket for the upcoming drawings. Remember to only focus on one verse at a time rather than the whole challenge.
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.
2021 Scripture Challenge- The scripture challenge continues. Teens are invited to join at anytime and try to memorize some of the verses from the list. For each verse they know will receive a raffle ticket for the upcoming drawings. Remember to only focus on one verse at a time rather than the whole challenge.
- 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.
Gospel Reading Plan- Have you ever wanted to read all four Gospels? Follow the reading plan. You can also find short reflections for each day on the OMC Parish Teen Ministry youtube page. All videos for the Gospel of Mark have been completed and the Gospel of Matthew is underway.