I am thankful for every family involved in the youth program and have enjoyed watching the increased growth of the youth group over the past few years. I feel very strongly that much of that growth can be directly attributed to the decision a few years back to move the youth group to Sunday nights after the 5PM Mass. In fact, Vatican II documents clearly state that "the liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows...From the liturgy, therefore, and especially from the Eucharist, as from a font, grace is poured forth upon us;" (SC no 10)
No doubt our ministry has received many graces these past years. All of us involved in leading the youth group do not make changes to this ministry without much discernment and discussion. However, due to our continued growth and the lack of space on Sunday nights, we have decided it necessary to move the middle school to Wednesday nights from 6:15PM-7:30PM, starting Wednesday, August 30th. The high school will remain on Sunday nights from 6:15PM-8PM. We will, however, still celebrate potlucks together on certain Sunday nights throughout the year.
A new 5:30PM parish Mass on Wednesday evenings will enable our middle school students to have the opportunity to attend Mass before youth group. In fact, I would like for as many middle schoolers as possible to help serve in some capacity during this Mass (altar servers, lectors, etc). Mass is not mandatory, but parents are encouraged to try and have their youth at the Mass. We will then go to SHH around 6:15PM for pizza and regular youth group.
It is our hope with this change that we can do more activities, both in service to others and as fun community experiences. Plus, this change to Wednesdays allows us to incorporate committed members of our high school group to serve as small group leaders for the middle school students on a night other than their own youth group night.
This change to Wednesday will be re-evaluated at the end of May 2018 to determine if we stay on Wednesday nights or move back to Sunday night after the new church is finished. Your input will be important in that decision and we value our families and the busy lives they live. We want to bring the best spiritual experience we can to as many youth as possible, so please let me know how I can help your family during this exciting but sometimes inconvenient transition to a permanent sacred space.
Many Blessings,
LeAnne McKendree
Director of Youth Ministry