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Category Archives: Youth
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St. Mary Natchez youth find love of service at home
By Joanna Puddister King
NATCHEZ – In past summers you could find youth from around the country taking part in the annual Catholic Heart WorkCamp, but this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic many youth were sidelined from the service projects that brought them to much needed communities near and far that need help. But the St. Mary Basilica Natchez CYO group did not let it get them down, they found projects in their own hometown to tackle.
Between July 20 and July 31, 2020, groups of CYO members and adult sponsors worked to beautify the outdoor areas of Cathedral School and the yards of six elderly and homebound parishioners as well as help with a local Habitat for Humanity project.
Youth director, Carrie Lambert said, “This felt like it had more of a spiritual impact on the teens than going out of town to a work camp because the youth knew the people they were working for, asked questions about Habitat, and really felt like they had accomplished something and were appreciated when they were done.”
“They feel this way at Catholic Heart as well, but when the smiles looking back at you are from people you know – you’re touched in a different way.”
Bonding is a big part of mission trips, like those taken through Catholic Heart WorkCamp. Last year, the youth spent time in St. Croix in the Virgin Islands, working to beautify schools and churches damaged by Category 5 Hurricane Maria in Sept. 2017. After working, the youth enjoyed the beach and the sights of island life.
This year, the youth bonding experience was still special even though work was only completed in their own hometown.
“I loved watching the team work, the leadership and the hard work my teens put into this camp. I am so very proud of what they did and their attitudes while they were doing it.,” said Lambert.
“We at St. Mary are so blessed by the number of adults and parents who volunteer their time and energy to work alongside our teens throughout the year. The overall experience ended up feeling a bit like traveling on the Road to Emmaeus – feeling like we were accompanying one another and finding Christ in what we were doing and He was working there alongside us.”
Going forward the CYO will pair up with the Knights of Columbus for work days during the year.
“The main theme of our youth programs is ‘Faith in Action,’” said Lambert.
“Doing work for people simply because you want to help someone out is a wonderful way to put your ‘faith in action.’”
Youth news
Youth work camp at Cathedral school
NATCHEZ – On Monday and Tuesday, July 20 and 21, a group of CYO members and adult sponsors worked to beautify the Cathedral School flower beds and playground sites for the approaching opening of school.
Thirty-five youth along with nine adults did a fantastic job sprucing up the property. The youth engaged in multiple jobs throughout the week.
VBS is a treasure in Madison
Volunteers finish up home repair projects
By Laura Grisham
SOUTHAVEN – Sacred Heart students and Frater Hubert Liassidji, SCJ Jonathan Nguyen, Jacob Smith and Frater John Huan Nguyen, SCJ finished up a pre-COVID painting project this week. Volunteers began working on Edna’s home in Holly Springs earlier this year. The pandemic halted volunteer work mid-March. The elderly woman was extremely grateful to have this phase of the repairs complete.
Hello Summer from St. Anthony
Youth news
Pomp and pandemics …
Thank you teachers
Youth
Star student
JACKSON – A Saint Andrew’s Episcopal School student with a perfect 36 composite score on the American College Test (ACT), combine scores of 144 and average of 99.50 has been named Mississippi’s Top ALL-STAR Scholar for 2020. John C. Kees is the son of Lara and Chris Kees, parishioners of Cathedral of St. Peter Jackson. John will receive a $24,000 scholarship provided by the Kelly Gene Cook, Sr. Charitable Foundation, Inc. Kees plans to attend college and study Biology.
Kees designated Thomas B. Riesenberger of Jackson as his STAR Teacher. Riesenberger has been teaching for nine years and this is his first time to be named STAR Teacher. (Photo courtesy of Lara Kees)
Parishioners show appreciation for Father Rusty
VICKSBURG – St. Paul Vicksburg held a parade past the church on Tuesday, May 5 to show appreciation for all that Father Rusty has done for the parish virtually in the past several weeks. Organized by Allyson Johnston, the parade was a way for church members to show their appreciation for all the work he has put in to keep them virtually connected during a time of social distancing. (Photo by Mary Margaret Edney)
Students love teachers
MADISON – Third grader, Caroline McCoy ‘chalked’ her driveway to show her love for St. Anthony school teachers. (Photo courtesy of Kati Loyacono)
Teacher appreciation week
FLOWOOD – St. Richard third grader, Elizabeth Jennings cheers for her teacher Shea Luckett during the school’s teacher appreciation week parade. (Photo by Tereza Ma)
Diocese Catholic Youth Conference
The Office of Youth Ministry sponsored the third annual Diocese of Jackson Catholic Youth Conference (DCYC) on Feb. 14-16 at the Vicksburg Convention Center. Nearly 200 participants gathered from all over the diocese for the weekend celebration. The theme this year was “Holy Ground” coming from the Apostolic Exhortation from Pope Francis entitled Christus Vivit. This document was written with the young church in mind and addresses several key factors regarding faith and vocational discernment expressed by young people themselves. The theme comes from paragraph 67 “Each young person’s heart should thus be considered ‘holy ground.’”
The speakers and presenters focused on the value and worth of each young person in their talks and breakout sessions. The keynote presenter and worship leader for the weekend was Rita West of Covington, Louisiana. West led lively music before all sessions as well as worship music during adoration on Saturday evening. Father Nick Adam, Father Aaron Williams and diocesan seminarians led a session on Vocations Saturday morning. They focused on the importance of discernment and how they are working with young people all over the diocese in varying degrees of the process.
Youth ministers from around the diocese led breakout sessions on Saturday afternoon focusing on how holiness can be lived in everyday life. Other activities included small group sessions, games, Mass, reconciliation and a social on Saturday night. The weekend concluded with Mass celebrated by Bishop Joseph Kopacz.
This was the third year hosting the conference in Vicksburg. Groups from sixteen parishes representing five of the six deaneries were in attendance this year; parish group participation was up from previous years as was the overall attendance. For more information about events sponsored by the Office of Youth Ministry please contact coordinator, Abbey Schuhmann at 601-949-6934 or abbey.schuhmann@jacksondiocese.org.
Youth news
Christmas visitor
COLUMBUS – Lower elementary students at Annunciation school had a special visitor, The Grinch, during library in December. (Photo by Katie Fenstermacher)
Christmas singing
Virtual reality
VICKSBURG – Students receive a unique experience with the XR (Extended Reality) Lab at Vicksburg Catholic School. The schools aim is to be the “Campus of the Future.” (Photo by Lindsey Bradley)
A Catholic school tradition – Mass
JACKSON – Father John Bohn gives the Body of Christ to St. Richard student, Clark Bergin during a St. Richard school Mass. (Photo by Meredith McCullough)
Hey – Let’s read together
NATCHEZ – Kindergarten students Natalie McLemore and Ally Stampley enjoy morning reading time at Cathedral school. (Photo by Cara Moody Serio)
Science experiment time
Youth news
Feast day for St. Francis Xavier
VICKSBURG – On Tuesday, Dec. 3 Vicksburg Catholic School elementary students participated in Mass to celebrate Saint Francis Xavier’s feast day.
On right Father Rusty Vincent blesses first grade students during the feast day Mass. (Photos by Lindsey Bradley)
Dashing though the streets
MERIDIAN – Timothy Duong, Denise Quedado, Ashton Taylor dash through the streets for the Candy Cane Fun Run. (Photo by Celeste Saucier)
Checkmate Father MarkNATCHEZ – Cathedral School third graders Quin Branton and James Gammill enjoyed learning the game of chess with Father Mark Shoffner. The students received a little free time for meeting their Accelerated Reader goal early. (Photo by Cara Moody Serio)
Here we go a caroling
GRENADA – The youth of St. Peter won first place Overall in the Grenada Christmas parade, themed “Here we go a caroling.“ Father Savio is holding up the banner as the children carollers look on in delight. (Photo courtesy of Michael Liberto)
Mapping the path of Jesus
GREENVILLE – Mrs. Lee’s religion class created salt dough maps of the travels of the public ministry of Jesus before the holiday break. (Photo by Nikki Thompson)
Children Celebrate Our Lady Guadalupe
MERIDIAN – On Dec. 8 at St. Patrick parish’s Celebration of Our Lady Guadalupe, Macario Espino, jr. picks up a fresh made tortilla for his delicious meal after the procession and Mass. (Photo by Tereza Ma)
St. Nicolas visits
(Right) MERIDIAN – On Dec. 6, 2019 St. Patrick School students had a special visit from St. Nicholas. First graders Aiden Walker, left, and TJ Dunn race to check their shoes for gifts from St. Nicholas. (Photo by Helen Reynolds)
