Hello everyone!
Ash Wednesday is this Sunday, and Lent will be starting soon! In this newsletter we wanted to share some resources to help you be more informed about this season of the Church, as well as share about the youth program and upcoming events.Lent is a liturgical season we celebrate every year. We abstain from meat on Fridays, fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, and strive to sacrifice these 40 days, but do we really know what this season is all about and why we do everything we do? It is so easy to forget the reason for this Church season, so we wanted to share some resources to remind us! Life teen is a great resource for both parents and youth, having blogs geared to high school and young adults. They have so many articles on Lent, with topics such as what to give up, what Lent is all about, and some of the bloggers even share their experiences of Lent. Here is a blog article by Mark Hart on Ash Wednesday that talks about why we put ashes on our heads!
For information about the events and Journey and Ignite, see below!
Thank you and God Bless!
-Sam and McKenzie
Security Volunteers Needed
If you would like to serve our youth program and are not sure how, we have a position that we need filled! We are in need of volunteers to help with security at youth nights. This role will make sure that all youth are safe and where they are supposed to be at all times. During pick up and drop off, security will be in the parking lot to greet youth and wait with them while parents come to pick them up. During the youth night security will walk around and make sure all youth are accounted for. To volunteer, you must have attended an EIM training within the last 3 years.
Enlisted
Enlisted is an event for 6th-12th grade students and parents hosted by Ablaze Ministries. The goal of Enlisted is to help participants live out their faith in the culture of today. This year, Michael Gormley will be speaking to the youth about the death penalty and what makes just war. Check out his testimony below. Chris Bartlett will be leading the parent session, which addresses the importance of parents in forming life long disciples. Child care will be provided.
Enlisted will be held in Christ the Good Shepherd Chapel on February 21st from 6-9 pm. Cost is $10 per participant. Please register on our website at ablazeyouth.org/enlisted or pay with the youth ministers and make checks payable to Ablaze Minsitries.
Journey nights:
Journey is a safe and fun place for youth from 9th-12th grade to grow in their faith. We do this through talks, testimonies, games, dramas, skits, activities, and small groups. We meet Sunday nights after the 5:30 mass, where we have dinner and social time and end at 8:30 pm. Please join us! We would love to have you!Journey is every Sunday 6:30-8:30 pm in the Gym at the St. Joseph Secondary Campus.
Last Week: Jennifer shared with us about Freedom and how only within laws can we be truly free to choose the good.
This Week: We will be having a small group based night, where the teens will activate their imagination and come up with realistic ways to follow the 10 commandments.
Ignite Nights:
Ignite is a safe and fun place for youth in grades 6th-8th to grow in their faith. We meet Sunday nights after the 5:30 mass in the St. Joseph's Secondary School Gym and end at 8:30 pm. We start the youth nights with dinner and social time, and then go into games, talks, small group, and other activities to help the youth grow in their faith. Please join us! We would love to have you!
Ignite meets on Sundays from 6:30-8:30 pm in the Gym at the St. Joseph Secondary Campus.
Last Week: We talked about the Beatitudes and what Jesus meant by these promises.
Next Week: We will be talking about Lent and Ash Wednesday. What did we do for Ash Wednesday and what are we doing for Lent? Why are we trying to do these things?
Upcoming Dates
Enlisted
February 21st 6-9 pm
Christ the Good Shepherd Chapel
Cost: $10
We are so excited to announce that registration is now open for Enlisted! Enlisted is an event for 6th-12th grade students and parents. The goal of Enlisted is to help participants live out their faith in the culture of today. This year, Michael Gormley will be speaking to the youth about the death penalty and what makes just war. Chris Bartlett will be leading the parent session, which addresses the importance of parents in forming life long disciples.
SAVE THE DATE:
Service Retreat
April 20th-21st
(Because of the retreat, we will not have youth night on April 22nd)
Nice to meet you!
If you have any questions or concerns please don't hesitate to contact us.
Sam Shepard
High School Youth Minister
sam@ablazeyouth.org
979-485-9910
ext. 710
McKenzie Neu
Middle School Youth Minister
mckenzie@ablazeyouth.org
940-485-9910
ext. 711
Quote of the week:
"Even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God. For gracious and merciful is he,
slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment."
slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment."