We are excited to announce a renewed
commitment to our Youth at St. Mary.
We have recently formed a Youth Committee to guide and support youth initiatives in the parish. The Youth Committee is comprised of Fr. Elie, Lois Kilsey, Chris Kilsey, Elmer Stanley, Cory Dupont, Stephanie Chowning and Joe Samra (anyone who would like to join the committee is welcome!). This summer we have met to review needs, make recommendations and form action items. The Youth Programs will include Sunday School teacher training, Family Nights, Parent Programming and a “reboot” of our Teen SOYO.
A key element to our planning for the future is the hiring of a part-time Youth Coordinator. This position has been made possible by a grant from the Charitable Gift Program of our Church. The Parish Council is authorized by our Constitution to use one half of the previous years profits from this fund for operating expenses of our Church once the fund exceeded $250,000. The Charitable Gift Committee as well as the Parish Council overwhelmingly supported the use of the funds for this purpose. What better way to utilize some of the profit from this endowment than to support our youth, the future of our Church? We are grateful to the Charitable Gift Program and all its participants for their support.
This success of this youth initiative will not be based solely on one person or a youth committee, rather it will be the result of our entire parish getting behind it and making it a priority. The future of our church will depend on our success.