March Youth Ministry Updates
Diocese of Ogdensburg
Pax et Bonum,
Kelly Donnelly
High School Youth Rally: May 6
This event will be full of opportunities for youth to grow in their faith through a powerful keynote, engaging workshops, and prayer, as well as opportunities for exciting games and fellowship.
Youth Ministers can register teens and chaperones at www.rcdony.org/youthrally/rally
Registration is $25 until April 1, and $30 after April 1 - - register soon!
Catholic Heart Work Camp
Guggenheim
12-15 Year-Olds:
Week 1: July 2-7
Week 2: July 9-14
Week 3: July 16-21
Week 4: July 23-28
Week 5: July 30-August 4
16-18 Year-Olds:
Week 6: August 6-11
Catholic Commercial Contest
Get more information at https://c2bc.ewtn.com/.
Mark Your Calendars for the Middle School Youth Rally!!
Youth Minister Certification Workshops Coming Up!
Random Tips
One necessary component of building disciples is developing a strong prayer life. Lent is an ideal time to try a prayer experiences like Stations of the Cross with your teens. If you aren't praying the Stations of the Cross in a room that already has images of the Stations, one idea is to images of each Station from a different artist/different artistic style, so the teens can see how diverse sacred art is.
Check out thee resources for teen-friendly meditations on the Stations:
Stations of the Cross:
Script for LIfeteen Stations of the Cross: http://www.archwinnipeg.ca/wcm-docs/youth_resources/youth_resource-1238107982.pdf
Creighton Online Ministries Stations of the Cross (the website includes several printer-friendly formats, as well as an audio version): http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/stations.html
Catholic Relief Services Stations of the Cross (inspired from tenets of Catholic Social Teaching - - this could pair well if you are doing a Lenten session on solidarity and/or almsgiving): http://www.crsricebowl.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/US16190-RB-Stations-of-the-Cross.pdf
Service:
It's hard to believe it, but spring is almost here! This is a great time to start planning and organizing a spring cleanup/yardwork for elderly parishioners or doing a spring-cleaning trash pickup in your community. You could easily pair this with a session on Stewardship/Caring for Creation (this short video is a great introduction into Caring for Creation from the USCCB and Catholic Relief Services https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSnXuCxiHXE)
Knowledge:
If you're looking for short, well-made, inspiring films on a wide-range of topics, check out ODB Films. Formerly known as Outside da Box, ODB Films has a variety of films that can be useful for presenting on many topics, as well as prayerful and testimony-style films. You need to pay to download the films, but many of them can be streamed for free, and the prices for streaming and downloading are quite reasonable. Check it out at: odbfilms.com/films
Mystery Players
March 16: St. Bartholomew's in Old Forge at 7:30
March 24: Holy Family in Watertown at 7:30
March 26: Notre Dame in Ogdensburg at 7:30
April 1: St. Joseph's in West Chazy at 7:30
April 8: First United Methodist in Watertown at 7:30
April 9: St. Peter's in Lowville at 7:30
April 14: St. Patrick's in Watertown at 7:30
Upcoming Events
March 19 - Regional Youth Event in Lowville. Mass and Mission at St. Peter's in Lowville with Bishop LaValley at 4, and then join downstairs for pizza, fun, and faith! The gathering will conclude at 7:15.
March 25 - Lenten Retreat. Open to grades 6-12. Malone from 10:30-5:00. Spaces are limited. Register at www.rcdony.org/lentenretreat by March 18.
March 26 - Lenten Retreat. Open to grades 6-12. Canton from 11:30-6:00. Spaces are limited. Register at www.rcdony.org/lentenretreat by March 18.
March 27 - Operation Andrew in Plattsburgh. Informal prayer, dinner, and discussion for those discerning a vocation to the priesthood. Contact the Office of Vocations or your pastor.
March 30- Operation Andrew in Watertown. Informal prayer, dinner, and discussion for those discerning a vocation to the priesthood. Contact the Office of Vocations or your pastor.
April 1 - Youth Minister Certification Courses 1 & 2 in Gouverneur. Email Vicky at vlalonde@rcdony.org
April 2 - Lifeteen. "The Happy Beggar." Food, prayer, and games. 6:00-8:00 in Plattsburgh. Email plattsburghlifeteen@gmail.com
April 3- Operation Andrew in Massena. Informal prayer, dinner, and discussion for those discerning a vocation to the priesthood. Contact the Office of Vocations or your pastor.
May 6 - High School Youth Rally. Held at IHC in Watertown. Open to grades 9-12. Youth leaders must register chaperones and youth at www.rcdony.org/youthrally/rally
If there is an upcoming event in your parish/region that you would like shared in an upcoming newsletter, please contact Kelly at kdonnelly@rcdony.org.
Prayer for Lent
Lord, in these days of mercy, make us quiet and prayerful;
In these days of challenge, make us stronger in you;
In these days of emptiness, take possession of us;
In these days of waiting, open our hearts to the mystery of your cross.
Amen.
- Angela Ashwin