PARISH COUNCIL UPDATE
May 17, 2024
The parish pastoral council convened for its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, May 8th. It was a pleasure to welcome Tim, Thomas, and Alexandria, leaders from our youth ministry, who provided an update on the ministry's activities. They outlined the ministry's recent history, starting from when Rachael Flanagan was recruited in 2019 to revive the previously dormant teen ministry. Initially, the program engaged around 12 to 15 teens in bi-monthly meetings and has since expanded. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, which necessitated a shift to weekly virtual gatherings, the ministry has grown to serve 35-40 teens. The current program fosters a teen leadership team that organizes events and includes initiatives like a feeder program for 7th and 8th graders, as well as a college care program for those attending college.
Tim, Thomas, and Alexandria expressed a desire on behalf of their ministry to establish a monthly children’s mass and volunteered to assist with its organization. They also wish to participate more actively in regular masses by serving as lectors, ushers, and altar servers. Furthermore, they have outlined ambitious plans to expand their ministry by inviting friends and schoolmates to upcoming events and leveraging social media to enhance outreach. The council members were deeply impressed by the dedication of these young individuals to their faith and the parish community. They committed to supporting the ministry’s proposals and initiatives.