Box of Joy 2025

After a Sunday filled with two wonderful events at two different locations, the youth of our parish are filled with joy and gratitude! Our teens in grades 8-12 came together to fill 50 Boxes of Joy, each one packed with gifts, school supplies, and prayers for children who might not otherwise receive a Christmas present this year. Their generosity and teamwork made a powerful difference and reflected the true spirit of giving.

Several of our teens joined other youth groups from around the area for a special Youth Mass and Eucharistic Adoration at our neighboring parish, St. Helen’s in Westfield. The evening was filled with uplifting music, prayer, and reflection, a beautiful opportunity for our young people to encounter Christ and grow deeper in faith as a community.

It was a weekend full of service, worship, and connection, a reminder of the amazing things that happen when young hearts come together in faith!

Upcoming Events

Note: The schedule has changed. Our regular meeting time is now Sundays, 6:30–8:00 PM (unless otherwise noted), with new service opportunities added.

• Sunday, Oct 19 | 6:30–8:00 PM – General Group Night (Church Basement). All High School Teens – Bring a Friend!

• Saturday, Oct 25 | 2:00–5:30 PM – SERVICE: Scotch Plains Trunk or Treat. All High School Teens – Bring a Friend!

• Sunday, Nov 2 | 5:00–6:30 PM – SERVICE: College Care Packages. All High School Teens – Bring a Friend!

• Sunday, Nov 2 | 7:00 PM - Attend All Souls Mass together in the Church afterwards.

• Sunday, November 15 | SERVICE: Babysitting and Hospitality During the Parish Retreat. All in 8th through 12th grade

• Sun, Nov 16 | 6:30–8:00 PM – Disciples in Action Meeting (formerly the Peer Leadership Team)

• Sun, Nov 23 | 1:30–3:30 PM – SERVICE: Community Friendsgiving. All High School Teens – Bring a Friend!

Kicking Off 2025-2026 Season

At our Youth Ministry Kick-Off Night on Sunday, September 28th, teens came together for food, fun, and faith. We began by sharing a meal, then jumped into icebreaker activities that encouraged everyone to get to know each other, build teamwork, and grow in community.

In the Silent Line-Up, teens were challenged to put themselves in order from oldest to youngest without speaking any words. This meant they had to get creative, using hand motions, counting on fingers, or gestures, to communicate. We also tried the Human Knot, where teens stood in a circle, reached across to grab hands, and then had to work together to untangle themselves without letting go. Later, we participated in an activity called I am Like an Iceberg, where we reflected on what we show to the world “above the surface” and the deeper feelings, struggles, and strengths that often remain unseen “under the surface.” These activities reminded us that, just like in our Catholic faith, we are called to communicate with kindness, work together as the Body of Christ, and look beyond appearances to see each other as God sees us, fully known and deeply loved.

We had a great discussion about how these activities connect to Scripture, including 1 Samuel 16:7, where God reminds us that “people look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

We’re also excited to share some upcoming opportunities for teens to stay connected:

Sunday, October 15 – Two exciting events at the same time!

+Box of Joy Service Night (Grades 8–12)
All 8th–12th graders are invited to help us donate and fill a Box of Joy. In partnership with Cross Catholic Outreach, we’ll be creating Christmas gift boxes for children who may not otherwise receive a present this season.

+Encounter Night (Disciples in Action Team)
The Disciples in Action (formerly Peer Leadership Team) are invited to join Marielle at St. Helen’s Church. We’ll attend 6:00 PM Mass together, then take part in the Jubilee of Youth & Young Adult with praise and worship, Holy Hour, fellowship, and glow-in-the-dark karaoke. RSVP directly to Marielle by calling the office or email at MarielleCarroll@ihmparish.net

Upcoming Events

Note: The schedule has changed. Our regular meeting time is now Sundays, 6:30–8:00 PM (unless otherwise noted), with new service opportunities added.

• Sunday, Oct 19 | 6:30–8:00 PM – General Group Night (Church Basement) o All High School Teens – Bring a Friend!

• Saturday, Oct 25 | 2:00–5:30 PM – SERVICE: Scotch Plains Trunk or Treat o All High School Teens – Bring a Friend!

• Sunday, Nov 2 | 5:00–6:30 PM – SERVICE: College Care Packages o All High School Teens – Bring a Friend!

• Sunday, Nov 2 | 7:00 PM Attend All Souls Mass together in the Church afterwards.

• Sunday, November 15 | SERVICE: Babysitting and Hospitality During the Parish Retreat o All in 8th through 12th grade

• Sunday, Nov 16 | 6:30–8:00 PM – Disciples in Action Meeting (formerly the Peer Leadership Team)

• Sunday, Nov 23 | 1:30–3:30 PM – SERVICE: Community Friendsgiving o All High School Teens – Bring a Friend!

Excited to Meet You! Your New Youth Minister

My name is Marielle Carroll, and I am so excited to introduce myself as the new Youth Minister here at Immaculate Heart of Mary! I am a lifelong member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish and have had the joy of growing up and attending school right here in Scotch Plains. In this role, I’ll be working closely with our teens and their families to grow in faith, build community, and serve others. I will also be leading Confirmation preparation, Baptism preparation, and helping young families engage more fully in parish life.

While our official programs will kick off in September, I’d love the chance to meet you sooner! I’m in the parish office Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and you are warmly invited to stop in this summer to say hello. Whether you’ve been involved in youth ministry before or are brand new, I’m here to walk with you on this journey of faith.

I truly look forward to getting to know our teens and young families, hearing your ideas, and creating opportunities for us to grow together in Christ. It’s an honor to serve this parish and to accompany our community in discovering the joy of living out our faith.