|
| click to visit the LIFE TEEN web site |
|
From the Desk of Carolyn Coules I am very excited to kick off Life Teen Ministries today. We
will have minor changes to our program that I believe will greatly enhance it. One of these changes will be having teen leaders
who will help plan Life Nights. I’m so glad to be working with the youth of our parish because they have a fresh perspective
of life and our faith. Youth Ministry is fairly new in the Church, it really began to develop as a ministry in the 1990’s.
Through the advocacy of John Paul II Youth Ministry spread like wildfire throughout the Church. This fire
of Youth Ministry reached me my Senior year of High School. After my encounter with Youth Ministry my life has never been
the same (I really mean that!!!). I was able to see that our faith was not just an idea or an illusion to make men happy,
but it was actually based upon a person and this person was reaching out for me and bidding me to come out of my comfort zone
to reach out to others in His name. I began to realize through my weekly Youth Ministry meetings that we are God’s hands,
eyes, feet, head, and heart on this earth and if we do not reach out to others and proclaim the gospel of Jesus through our
words and actions then no one will.
Youth Ministry is not just a program, it is a calling to youth
encouraging them to encounter Christ. Youth Ministry is a continuing of the faith journey begun at baptism. One of the most
crucial ages in life is adolescence. That is because it is at this point in time that we begin to ask ourselves “who
am I?” and “what is my purpose?” The Church has always reachedout to her children in times of need to help
them. The Church that has sought the needs of the faithful so that She can fill them, is not the Pope, or the Bishops, or
even the priests, the Church is not one person, but all of us.
There is a saying “It takes
a whole village to raise a child” well put that phrase in the Catholic perspective and say “ it takes a whole
community of believers to raise a Christian.” It is for this reason that I’m reaching out to you. This parish
has always been supportive of Life Teen Ministries. To make our program more successful we need your support and especially
your prayers.
We will be continuing the pop bottle fundraiser this year. You were so generous last
year we hope you will be the same this year. We need you bottles to help fund the hospitality and supply needs of the teens.
Teens also love candy so if you are feeling sweet, please drop off some in the parish center with a note that says Attention:
Life Teen. One of the comments teens made to me last year is that they feel at home when theyeat. It’s my goal to make
them feel welcome and at home in our parish community so please help me continue making them feel this way. If you would like,
place your name in the bag that contains the candy and we will add you to our prayer list. All people on the prayer list will
be prayed for at every meeting. May the Lord bless you and keep you close to His heart.
Pax Christi, Carolyn Coules
|
