Serving & Growing in Faith

This past week, some of our 8 th graders joined the high school team for a meaningful service project in collaboration with the Knights of Columbus. Guided by their leadership, our teens created care packages for our students who are about to be confirmed. These packages will serve as a reminder that they are supported not just on the day of their Confirmation, but as they continue living out their faith beyond it.

What made this experience especially impactful was the opportunity to learn why these item smatter. The Knights took time to walk our teens through each resource included in the care packages, explaining how they can be used in prayer and in everyday life. It transformed a simple service project into something more meaningful, helping our teens grow in their understanding of the tools available to them as they deepen their relationship with God.

This collaboration was also a powerful witness to what it means to be part of a parish community. Brining together different generations to share, serve, and learn from one another is what strengthens our faith and keeps it alive.

In this week’s Gospel, we are reminded to trust in God and to follow the path that leads us closer to Him. Experiences like this help our teens begin to understand what it looks like by serving others, learning their faith, and taking steps to live it out each day. Thank you to the Knights of Columbus for their leadership and generosity, and to our teens for their willingness to serve and grow.

Scan. Follow. Belong.

Scan the QR code to follow IHM Youth Ministry on Instagram – real moments, upcoming events, service, faith, and fun… all in one place. Don’t miss out. Scan & follow today!

Upcoming Youth Ministry Events

Sunday, May 3 | 6:30–8:00 PM – Youth Ministry Night

Saturday, May 9 | 9:00–11:30 AM – We Are His Witnesses Prayerful Discussions for Parents & Young Adults

Tuesday, May 12 | 6:30–9:00 PM – We Are His Witnesses Prayerful Discussions for Parents & Young Adults

Sunday, May 31 | 6:30–8:00 PM – Service Project Night (Grade 8-12)

Confirmation Retreat 2026

We recently had the opportunity to host our Year 2 Confirmation Retreat, as students from Holy Trinity in Westfield and Our Lady of Peace in new Providence joined our Immaculate Heart of Mary candidates here at IHM; it was a powerful day of prayer, reflection, and connection as teens stepped away from their normal routines to focus on their faith and prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Throughout the retreat, candidates were invited to listen more closely to God’s voice through talks, small group discussions, and time for personal reflection. They were challenged to think about who they are, who God is calling them to be, and how they can live their faith with intention.

This connects directly to this Sunday’s Gospel where Jesus describes Himself as the Good Shepherd. He reminds us that His sheep know His voice and follow Him. In a world full of noise and distractions, that can be difficult, especially for teens. The retreat created space to slow down and begin recognizing that voice more clearly.

As our candidates continue their journey toward Confirmation, we pray that they carry this experience with them. We pray that they grow in confidence, learn to trust in Christ, and choose to follow Him in their daily lives. Thank you to everyone who helped make this retreat possible. Please continue to keep our candidates in your prayers as they take this next step in their faith.

Scan. Follow. Belong.

Scan the QR code to follow IHM Youth Ministry on Instagram – real moments, upcoming events, service, faith, and fun… all in one place. Don’t miss out. Scan & follow today!

Upcoming Youth Ministry Events

Sunday, April 26 | 6:30–8:00 PM – Service Project Night (Grade 8-12)

Sunday, May 3 | 6:30–8:00 PM – Youth Ministry Night

Saturday, May 9 | 9:00–11:30 AM – We Are His Witnesses Prayerful Discussions for Parents & Young Adults

Tuesday, May 12 | 6:30–8:00 PM – We Are His Witnesses Prayerful Discussions for Parents & Young Adults

Sunday, May 31 | 6:30–8:00 PM – Service Project Night (Grade 8-12)

Rite of Service 2026

Sometimes, we don’t immediately recognize how God is at work in our lives. In this Sunday’s Gospel, two disciples are walking and talking about everything that has happened when Jesus joins them, but they don’t realize it’s Him. It’s only later, through their conversation and in the breaking of the bread, that everything becomes clear.

This experience can resonate in a special way for families with middle and high school teens. Faith isn’t always obvious or easy to understand. There can be moments of questioning or feeling distant. But just like in the Gospel, Jesus is present in the ordinary moments, walking with us through daily life, especially in our relationships and conversations.

This past week, our year 1 Confirmation candidates completed the Rite of Service. They had the opportunity to meet with parishioners and share how they have served in the community, within our parish, and in their families. These conversations were a powerful reminder that faith grows when it is lived and shared.

As families, this is an invitation to continue those conversation at home. Ask your teens where they see God in their life. Share your own experiences. Like the disciples on the road, we come to recognize Jesus more clearly when we walk together, listen, and remain open.

May this Easter season be a time of growing awareness of Christ’s presence in our homes, our parish, and one another.

Scan. Follow. Belong.

Scan the QR code to follow IHM Youth Ministry on Instagram – real moments, upcoming events, service, faith, and fun… all in one place. Don’t miss out. Scan & follow today!

Upcoming Youth Ministry Events

Sunday, April 26 | 6:30–8:00 PM – Service Project Night (Grade 8-12)

Sunday, May 3 | 6:30–8:00 PM – Youth Ministry Night

Sunday, May 31 | 6:30–8:00 PM – Service Project Night (Grade 8-12)

Peace Be With You

This week we are reminded that the joy of Easter continues, and that the risen Jesus Christ meets His disciples with peace, mercy, an da mission. In the Gospel, He gives them the Holy Spirit and sends them out, even after they had doubted and fallen away.

This Sunday, also known as Divine Mercy Sunday, connects deeply to what our Confirmation candidates are experiencing right now. Our Year 1 candidates will complete the Rite of Service, sharing how they have served our parish and community this year. Their work reflects the call to live out mercy, not just in words, but in action.

Our Year 2 candidates will gather for their Confirmation Retreat as they prepare to receive the Holy Spirit next month. Like the disciples in the Gospel, they are being called to move from simply following Jesus to being sent out with purpose.

This week is a powerful reminder that Confirmation is not the end, it’s the beginning. A call to trust, to serve, and to live faith boldly each day.

“Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”

Living Stations of the Cross

Our parish was blessed to experience a powerful and prayerful Living Stations of the Cross presented by our Youth Ministry. Through each station, we were invited to walk with Jesus and reflect more deeply on His sacrifice and the depth of His love.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our middle school and high school students who participated. Their reverence, dedication, and faith brought the Passion to life in a meaningful way for our entire community.

Thank you as well to all who attended and prayed with us. It was a beautiful reminder that Christ’s journey to the Cross continues to call each of us to faith, reflection, and love.

Scan. Follow. Belong.

Scan the QR code to follow IHM Youth Ministry on Instagram – real moments, upcoming events, service, faith, and fun… all in one place. Don’t miss out. Scan & follow today!

Upcoming Youth Ministry Events

Saturday, April 18 | 10:00 AM–6:00 PM – Help Support the Confirmation Retreat

Sunday, April 26 | 6:30–8:00 PM – Service Project Night (Grade 8-12)

Sunday, May 3 | 6:30–8:00 PM – Youth Ministry Night

Sunday, May 31 | 6:30–8:00 PM – Service Project Night (Grade 8-12)

Easter is Here!

Easter is here, and it’s not just one day, it’s a whole season. Just like spring, everything around us is changing, longer days, new life, fresh starts. Easter is the same kind of invitation, but for your life.

For teens, this matters more than you might think. Life can feel busy, stressful, and sometimes overwhelming. Easter reminds us that nothing is stuck. No mistake, no pressure, no situation has the final say, God brings new life out of anything.

The Easter season is your chance to reset:

• Start fresh – What’s one thing you want to do better? Begin again.

• Grow – Just like spring, small changes lead to real growth over time.

• Find hope – Even when things feel uncertain, God is still working.

• Stay connected – Don’t let Easter be a one-day thing. Keep showing up to Mass and youth ministry.

Easter isn’t just something we celebrate, it’s something we live. Let this season be a chance to refocus, take your faith seriously, and see how it can actually make a difference in your everyday life.

Scan. Follow. Belong.

Scan the QR code to follow IHM Youth Ministry on Instagram – real moments, upcoming events, service, faith, and fun… all in one place. Don’t miss out. Scan & follow today!

Upcoming Youth Ministry Events

Sunday, April 12 | 6:30–8:00 PM – HS Youth Ministry – Retreat prep and future planning

Saturday, April 18 | 10:00 AM–6:00 PM – Help Support the Confirmation Retreat

Sunday, April 26 | 6:30–8:00 PM – Service Project Night (Grade 8-12)

Sunday, May 3 | 6:30–8:00 PM – Youth Ministry Night

Sunday, May 31 | 6:30–8:00 PM – Service Project Night (Grade 8-12)

Keep It Real

Holy Week is here and it’s not just another week on the calendar. It’s a chance to step out of your routine and experience something deeper. As we remember the final days of Jesus’ life, we’re invited to slow down, pay attention, and see what this story really means for us today.

For teens, this week is about more than just going through the motions, it’s about being intentional:

• Make the time – Prioritize Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter.

• Be all in – Give your full attention during Mass and prayer.

• Keep it real – Talk to God honestly, even if it’s simple.

• Live it out – Choose kindness, patience, and service in your daily life.

We also have two great opportunities to get involved. Join us for our Holy Thursday Teen Night on April 2 at 6:30 PM, where you’ll learn more about Holy Week and take an active role in the Mass by serving as an usher, bringing up the holy oils, or participating in the washing of the feet. Then, on Friday, April 3 at 7:00 PM, be part of our Living Stations of the Cross as a reader or actor, helping to bring this powerful story to life for our parish community.

Don’t sit on the sidelines this week. Holy Week is meant to be experienced. Show up, get involved, and discover what it means to truly live your faith.

Upcoming Youth Ministry Events

Sunday, March 29 | 6:30–8:00 PM – Living Stations of the Cross Rehearsal

Thursday, April 2 | 11:00 AM–1:30 PM – Spring Garden Service Project

Thursday, April 2 | 6:30–9:00 PM – Holy Week Lesson and Holy Thursday Mass

Friday, April 3 | 5:30–8:00 PM – Living Stations of the Cross

Jesus calls Lazarus

In this week’s Gospel, Jesus calls Lazarus out of the tomb and brings him back to life. It is one of the most powerful moments in the Gospel, a reminder that Jesus brings hope, new life, and light even when things seem at their darkest.

As we approach Holy Week, this Gospel invites our teens to draw closer to Christ and walk with Him through the most important moments of our faith. Holy Week is more than just something we hear about at Mass; it is an opportunity to experience the story of Jesus in a real and personal way.

Teens are invited to take part in several upcoming opportunities to enter more deeply into this time. We will gather for a Holy Week lesson to better understand the meaning behind each of the sacred days. Teens are also encouraged to attend the Holy Week liturgies, where we remember the Last Supper, the Passion of Christ, and celebrate the joy of the Resurrection.

In addition, our teens will have the opportunity to participate in the Living Stations of the Cross, helping bring the story of Jesus’ journey to the cross to life for our parish community.

Just as Jesus called Lazarus out of the tomb, He continues to call each of us to step forward in faith. Holy Week is a powerful chance for our teens to answer that call, grow as disciples, and experience the heart of our faith together.

Upcoming Youth Ministry Events

Friday, March 27 | 5:45–8:00 PM – Pizza and Prayer (Dinner and Stations of the Cross)

Sunday, March 29 | 6:30–8:00 PM – Living Stations of the Cross Rehearsal

Thursday, April 2 | 11:00 AM–1:30 PM – Spring Garden Service Project

Thursday, April 2 | 6:30–9:00 PM – Holy Week Lesson and Holy Thursday Mass

Friday, April 3 | 5:30–8:00 PM – Living Stations of the Cross

Build It To Last

This past Sunday, our HS Youth Ministry gathered for a night focused on Lent and the kind of people we are becoming through it. We began with a fun team challenge called “Build It to Last.” Students worked together to build the tallest free-standing structure using simple materials. The room quickly filled with creativity and teamwork as groups experimented with different designs. As we stepped back to look at the finished structures, one lesson became clear: the tallest ones only stood when they had a strong foundation. That simple activity helped introduce an important truth… what we build our lives on matters.

From there, students moved into our main activity, “40 Days = 10 Years.” In small groups, they imagined what kind of person someone might become if they took Lent seriously year after year. Together they reflected on how the three pillars of Lent shape our character: Prayer builds stability, Fasting builds self-control, Almsgiving builds unity and compassion.

We talked about how Lent is spiritual training. Athletes train so they’re ready when the game begins. Musicians rehearse so they’re ready for the performance. We practice during Lent so they’re ready for real life.

Throughout the evening, students were invited to think about how the habits they practice today shape who they will become tomorrow. Lent is an opportunity not just to give something up, but to grow stronger in faith, character, and love for others, habits that will carry them far beyond these 40 days.

Upcoming Youth Ministry Events

Sunday March 15 | 12:00–2:30 PM – St. Patrick’s Day Mass & Luncheon

Sunday, March 29 | 6:30–8:00 PM – Living Stations of the Cross Rehearsal

Tuesday, March 31 & Thursday, April 2 | 11:00 AM–1:30 PM – Spring Garden Service Project

Thursday, April 2 | 6:30–8:30 PM – Holy Week Lesson and Holy Thursday Mass

Friday, April 3 | 5:30–8:00 PM – Living Stations of the Cross

Thirsty for Encouragement

This week’s readings remind us that we all thirst for something deeper. In the desert, God gave water to His people when they needed it most. At the well, Jesus offered living water that truly satisfies. That same theme of water, of being filled and refreshed, came to life in our Youth Ministry on Sunday, 3/1.

Teens gathered to assemble College Care Packages for former members of our youth ministry. These packages, filled with snacks, notes, and small reminders of home, are being sent to encourage them as they move through their spring semester. After packing the boxes, we sat down and asked: Why do small things mean so much when someone is far from home? Have you ever received encouragement at just the right moment?

We talked about how something as simple as a handwritten note can feel like a cup of cold water to someone who is overwhelmed or lonely. During Lent, the Church calls us to look outward. Almsgiving isn’t about the size of the gift, it’s about love and intention. A care package becomes meaningful because it says, “You are remembered. You are supported. You are not alone.”

To our teens and families: who in your life right now might be thirsty for encouragement? This week, consider how you can offer living water through a message, a small act of kindness, or time given freely. Even the smallest gesture can refresh someone’s heart.

Upcoming Youth Ministry Events

Sunday, March 8 | 6:30–8:00 PM – Youth Ministry Night (HS Students Only)

Sunday March 15 | 12:00 PM – St. Patrick’s Day Mass & Luncheon

Sunday, March 29 | 6:30–8:00 PM – Living Stations of the Cross Rehearsal

Friday, April 3 | 5:30–8:00 PM – Living Stations of the Cross

Never Walk Alone

High on the mountain, Peter, James, and John witnessed Jesus transformed in glory and heard the voice of the Father say, “This is my beloved Son… listen to Him.” That moment changed them. They didn’t go looking for it, they simply chose to be there.

Lent offers our teens that same invitation: to step away from the noise of everyday life and make space to encounter Christ. One powerful opportunity is the Stations of the Cross every Friday at 7:00pm in the church. All teens are invited to come and experience this meaningful Lenten tradition. Walking through the stations helps us see the depth of Jesus’ love and sacrifice in a personal way. It reminds us that following Him isn’t always easy, but we never walk alone.

Choosing to be present at something like the Stations of the Cross can be a moment of transformation. It gives teens the chance to listen, reflect, and grow as disciples. Just as the apostles were changed by what they witnessed, our teens, too, can be changed by simply showing up and opening their hearts to Him this Lent.

Upcoming Youth Ministry Events

Sunday, March 1 | 6:30–8:00 PM – SERVICE: College Care Packages

Sunday, March 8 | 6:30–8:00 PM – Youth Ministry Night (HS Students Only)

Sunday March 15 | 12:00 PM – St. Patrick’s Day Mass & Luncheon

Sunday, March 29 | 6:30–8:00 PM – Living Stations of the Cross Rehearsal

Friday, April 3 | 5:30–8:00 PM – Living Stations of the Cross