Youth Holiday Update

The next few weeks are full of great opportunities for our teens to come together in faith, fellowship, and service! On Sunday, November 23, teens will help make the parish Friendsgiving warm and welcoming by greeting guests, serving food, and assisting with setup or cleanup while they give thanks, share fellowship, and continue growing together in faith.

In December, there are several ways to serve and celebrate as a Youth Ministry. On Sunday, December 7, we’ll support the IHM Christmas Market. All families are invited to donate Christmas wrapping paper so our teens can host a gift-wrapping station for all who attend. It’s a fun and festive way to spread Christmas cheer while serving our parish community!

Then on Sunday, December 14, we’ll celebrate with our Youth Ministry Christmas Party. An evening full of games, food, and holiday fun you won’t want to miss! It’s the perfect way to relax, laugh, and celebrate the season with friends.

Finally, on Saturday, December 20, we’ll host our annual Babysitting Night. This event was a big hit last year, and we’re excited to once again give parents a night out while our teens help care for the younger children of the parish.

All teens are invited to join in these wonderful opportunities to serve, connect, and celebrate as a parish family!

Upcoming Youth Ministry Events

 Sunday, January 11 | 6:30–8:00 PM – Youth Ministry Night

 Monday, January 19 | 9:00 AM–1:00 PM – SERVICE: MLK Day of Service

 Sunday, February 1 | 6:30–8:00 PM – Leadership Team Meeting

 Sunday, February | 5:00–8:30 PM – Babysitting Night

Youth Ministry Service Project: College Care Packages

A group of IHM teens in 8th grade through high school gathered to assemble college care packages for the graduated members of our Youth Ministry. The event was filled with laughter, teamwork, and a genuine spirit of giving. Each box was packed with snacks, school supplies, and heartfelt notes to remind our college students that their parish family is praying for them as they approach finals.

Afterward, many of the teens stayed to attend the All Souls Remembrance Mass, taking time to pray for loved ones who have gone before us. It was a beautiful evening of faith, service, and community—living out what it means to care for others both near and far.

Up Next for Youth Ministry

Youth Ministry will next come together on Saturday, November 15, to support the Parish Retreat, offering their time and energy in service and hospitality.

Upcoming Youth Ministry Events

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

Sunday, November 23 | 11:30–3:30 PM – SERVICE: Community Friendsgiving

Sunday, December 7 | 9:00 AM–2:00 PM – SERVICE: Gift Wrapping at the Christmas Festival

Sunday, December 14 | 6:30–8:00 PM – Youth Ministry Christmas Party

Saturday, December 20 | 5:00–8:30 PM – Babysitting Night

Trunk or Treat Weekend Fun!

Last weekend was full of faith, fun, and community spirit! Our IHM Trunk won first place at the Scotch Plains community Trunk or Treat on Saturday. Thank you to everyone who helped decorate and represent our parish so creatively!

On Sunday, the celebration continued at IHM with our indoor Table or Treat in the Nazareth Center. Hosted by Parish Life Ministry, families enjoyed candy, games, and plenty of smiles. Thank you to all who participated and volunteered to make both events such a success!

Up Next for Youth Ministry:

Join us on Sunday, November 2 nd to assemble college care packages for IHM graduates, and on Saturday, November 15 th to support the parish retreat. All teens are invited to join in these great opportunities to serve and grow in faith!

Upcoming Youth Ministry Events

Saturday, November 15 | SERVICE: Babysitting and Hospitality During the Parish Retreat

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

Sunday, November 23 | 1:30–3:30 PM – SERVICE: Community Friendsgiving

Sunday, December 7 | 9:00 AM–2:00 PM – SERVICE: Gift Wrapping at the Christmas Festival

Sunday, December 14 | 6:30–8:00 PM – Youth Ministry Christmas Party

Saturday, December 20 | 5:00–8:30 PM – Babysitting Night

Our Teens Are Amazing!

The teens of our parish continue to impress us with their openness, honesty, and faith. At our recent Youth Ministry Night, high school students gathered for snacks, games, and heartfelt discussion about how faith helps us handle life’s challenges. Together, we explored what it means to trust God through stress, family pressures, and the uncertainty of the future.

It was a night filled with laughter, real conversation, and reminders that God walks with us through every crossroads. Thank you for keeping our youth in your prayers and for supporting this ministry that helps them grow closer to Christ and one another.

We Need Your Help!

Our next Service Night will be focused on creating college care packages for the graduated members of our youth ministry. These packages will be sent to teens in their first years of college as a way to share love from our parish family and offer encouragement as they wrap up their first semester. Donations of snacks, small gifts, and handwritten notes are greatly appreciated!

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, Nov 2 | 5:00–6:30 PM – SERVICE: College Care Packages o All High School Teens – Bring a Friend! o Attend All Souls Mass at 7:00pm together in the Church afterwards

• Saturday, November 15 | SERVICE: Babysitting and Hospitality During the Parish Retreat to 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 o All High School Teens – Bring a Friend!

Youth Ministry Fall 2025 Line-Up

The Youth Ministry has a great lineup of fall events ahead! Join us for Youth Ministry Night on Sunday, October 19, a chance to build friendships, enjoy fun activities, and share honest conversations about faith and life. Then, get in the spirit of the season by volunteering at Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 25, where teens can help represent IHM in costume, hand out candy, and celebrate with our community or join us the next day, Sunday, October 26, for our parish’s indoor Table or Treat in the gym.

Looking ahead, help us support our IHM college students by assembling College Care Packages on Sunday, November 2, followed by attending All Souls Mass together at 7:00 PM. Finally, mark your calendars for a Service Opportunity on Saturday, November 15, assisting with babysitting or hospitality during the Parish Retreat. Check the flyers in the bulletin entry for full details on each event!

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 | Attend All Souls Mass at 7:00pm 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!

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.