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We are back after a couple weeks off. Here are a few updates for you.

We are mourning the loss of cancelations right along with you. In late March we moved Proof and Confirmation Preparation online, hosted an online game night series in May, and at least a couple of our small groups continue to meet online. Youth Ministry staff has been working on making those changes as successful as possible and has shifted their time now to coming up with alternatives for our summer camps/trips and planning for the coming school year. We appreciate your patience, understanding, and all the prayers you have been offering.

As we navigate through this pandemic we'll continue to update you on the status of activities, alternatives, and future planning. If you haven't noticed we added a section to these updates for parents containing resources focused on supporting your family's spiritual growth and health. We will continue to include that section in these updates as well.

In Person Weekend Masses

You are on the Youth Update list so you should also be getting updates from the greater parish which include details about Masses. The past two weekends were a test run, look for more information about the coming weekends soon.

Transitioning to a new Pastor has been an added variable so we appreciate your patience. We want to get back to Mass as much as you do!

Mixed Message about Mass and the Eucharist

We have a moral obligation to attend Mass weekly, but our Bishops have suspended that obligation in light of the pandemic. So, if you are anything like me you might be asking, "Is the Mass really that important?" I can't wait to have that conversation with you in person, but for now this homily, from Fr. Mike Schmitz, is outstanding. In it he asks all of us the question, "Why does everything always have to be about us?" It is a question that should cut to the heart of every single person who has ever been told that the Eucharist is truly the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Click the button below to listen.

No Longer Optional - Homily

We were asked to hold off on anything in person through the month of June. Father Sauer (our new Pastor) will be starting on July 1st and we should have more information about in person activities/events soon thereafter.

Bishop Quinn has let parishes know that they can begin the process of setting dates for their Confirmation Liturgies. This will be one of the first things we discuss with Fr. Sauer upon his arrival. Look for updates later in July.

Rochester Steubenville Conference

Those of you who signed up for Steubenville received a note from Dana about an alternative on-line conference option; if you didn't receive that note contact Dana.

High School Service Trip

We have been working on an alternative to the High School Service Trip and will have information to share in the coming weeks.

Camp Summit

The Camp Summit team has a tentative date (July 26) for a one-day Camp Summit Event; we should have more information for you this week.

Thank you to Ethan Morcom, his family, and Boy Scout Troop 83. Ethan completed his Eagle Project here on the Youth Center patio. He took out the stone benches along the perimeter, leveled the patio pavers, and built some great new benches that turn into picnic tables!

Thank you to all the parents and other adults who were able to join us a few weeks ago for our Youth Ministry Listening Forum. If you were unable to attend and/or just want Dana or I to know something or have a question for us we are here for you!

We know that racial injustice is on your minds, it is for sure a constant drumbeat on all our news stations and in our public discourse. Here is a great resource from an African American Catholic Priest's perspective. It would surely inspire some great dialogue as a family.