I know, I know. WHY on EARTH am I sharing plans for the FALL? We are in the midst of a worldwide pandemic and have no idea what the next few months will look like. Well, I think in some ways we are all nostalgic for some normalcy. I’m sure we have all been hearing people say things that are reminiscent of “going back to normal,” such as returning to the mundane daily activities of grocery shopping without stockpiling on toilet paper, attending school in person, hugging those we love, or eating a meal at a local restaurant instead of ordering take out, sitting in our favorite pew at mass instead of streaming mass or sitting in taped off sections, and being able to hang out with friends without sitting six feet apart and wearing masks. It’s safe to say that we all miss parts of what our lives used to look like.

While this pandemic has proved itself devastating and confusing, we cannot forget the ways in which this time has served as an opportunity for stillness and growth, allowing space for the Holy Spirit to actively move in our lives. And maybe, by reflecting on everything we’ve learned, we can better understand the need for our faith and our Church community.

For many of us, we witnessed our schools closing and graduations postponed or canceled. We experienced our favorite restaurants and small businesses temporarily shut down. We started watching Mass online, a concept completely unforeseeable to us as Catholics. We FaceTimed our friends, started learning remotely, and probably felt inconvenienced by all of these changes.Whatever our circumstances may be, this experience is not walked alone. And neither is our return back into the “real world.”

After Jesus’ Resurrection, the apostles gathered with Him and He said to them, “‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age’” (Mt. 28:19-20). His disciples had been waiting anxiously in anticipation for Christ’s return after His crucifixion, and when He came back, they were sent to go out into the world with this challenge: to trust in the promises of the Holy Spirit.

You can imagine that this was extremely difficult for the apostles. But after Jesus left, the apostles didn’t just sit around. They moved. They loved others. And most of all, they continued to worship with an even greater zeal for their faith. During these past few months of the pandemic, we have been given the same invitation to believe in the Father’s faithfulness, no matter how long the waiting. Just as Christ prepared the hearts of His disciples before His Ascension into Heaven, I think the Lord has been doing the same thing for us by pruning our hearts and strengthening us through dependency on His love.

As we move forward, we ought to ask ourselves how we can continue to respond to this call as followers of Jesus. When our worldly distractions resume, how do we continue to cling to our faith and our faith alone?

Maybe it’s not about returning back to normal. Maybe it’s looking forward to a “new normal,” or better yet, the new life that God is preparing us for at this time. We are encouraged to pray for an end to the coronavirus. However, there is a danger in holding onto the expectations that our lives were better before. Our daydreaming about the future or reminiscing about the past isn’t that productive if we aren’t taking into account everything we’ve learned in between. This is not only an opportunity to feel reinvigorated to return to Christ in the Eucharist but to open our hearts to the present moment, and despite the solitude we are experiencing, allow Him to strengthen us as His disciples. The COVID-19 pandemic has taught me not to remain stagnant, but to lean into Christ in this way and the extraordinary life to which He has called me. Christ doesn't want us to go back to normal, He wants us to go to Him! That is the “new normal.”

As we slowly journey out of the COVID-19 pandemic together and begin to meet again, I pray that the Holy Spirit would activate our hearts to set us forward on mission, not backward into normalcy.

Youth Ministry Schedule Fall 2020

August:

August 31st, September 1st and 2nd: Join us as a family at Saint Martin Parish for a special Mission by Fr. James Sichko from 7pm-8pm. Morning sessions are also being offered for this event starting at 10am each day. See attached flier for more info.

September:

Saturday, September 12th: Walk for life! We encourage all families to participate in this online event hosted by Clarity! If you’d like to raise money or walk to help support Clarity this event is for you! It will take place online from 9am-12pm on September 12th. Visit www.supportclarity.org for more info!

Friday, 25th: Semester Kick-off Fire Night at Saint Christopher! Come join us for prayer and fellowship around the fire from 7m-10pm at Saint Christopher. This event is open to all youth in the 6 th-12th grades. We ask that you please bring your own chair or blanket for around the fire and to please abide by the social distancing guidelines and bring a mask for when social distancing is unattainable.

Sunday, 27th: Tioga Falls Prayer Hike! All youth in the 6th-12th grades are encouraged to join us for a hike at Tioga Falls! We will meet in the parking lot of Saint Christopher at noon to carpool to and from Tioga. Parents can pick their youth back up at Saint Christopher at 3. Due to state regulations we ask that you abide by the social distancing guidelines and bring a mask for when social distancing is unattainable.We will need drivers for this event! If you are over the age of 21, have your safe environment training, and an up to date background check through the Archdiocese of Louisville and would like to help with transport for this event please contact Ashley Law. RSVPs and Permission forms are required for this event and can be found attached or on the church website under the youth ministry tab.

October: Respect life month!

Sunday, 4th: Youth Group Baby Shower to collect donations for Clarity at Saint Martin! Our youth will be in the Parish Hall from noon-3pm to collect donations for the Clarity Solutions Pregnancy Center! Clarity is a local ministry that offers life affirming help and support to pregnant and parenting women and men. Please bring material donations to the Parish Hall at Saint Martin from noon-3pm on Sunday, October 4 th or contact Ashley Law to set up another pick up or drop off time and location. Thank you in advance for your generous contributions! Please see attached Flier for supplies details.

Sunday, 11th: Homeless Shelter supply drive at Saint Christopher! Our youth will be collecting Supplies for our local homeless shelter at Saint Christopher in the PLC from noon-3pm! Supplies needed include: Men and woman hygiene products, hats, gloves, socks, hand warmers, etc. If you are unable to drop your donations off at this time please contact Ashley Law to set up another pick up or drop off time and location. Thank you in advance for your generous donations!

Sunday, 18th: Pumpkin carving and fall party! All youth in the 6th-12th grades are invited to join us for a fun time of pumpkin carving and fall games at Saint Martin in the Parish Hall from noon-3pm. Please RSVP by the 15th so we can get the right amount of pumpkins and supplies. As always, friends in the 6th-12th grades are welcome to join us as well! Due to state regulations we ask that you abide by the social distancing guidelines and bring a mask for when social distancing is unattainable.

Sunday, 25th: Prayer Hike! All youth in the 6th-12th grades are encouraged to join us for a prayer hike! We will meet in the parking lot of Saint Christopher at noon to carpool. Parents can pick their youth back up at Saint Christopher at 3pm. Due to state regulations we ask that you abide by the social distancing guidelines and bring a mask for when social distancing is unattainable.We will need drivers for this event! If you are over the age of 21, have your safe environment training, and an up to date background check through the Archdiocese of Louisville and would like to help with transport for this event please contact Ashley Law. RSVPs and Permission forms are required for this event and can be found attached or on the church website under the youth ministry tab.

Sunday, 25th: The Case for Life Workshop! Join us from 6pm-8pm at Saint James Catholic School Gymnasium (401 Robinbrook Blvd., Elizabethtown, Ky. 42701). The Right to Life Kentucky Heartland Association is sponsoring a Pro-Life Workshop for all 8th-12th grade students and parents! There will be free pizza and beverages provided at 5:30pm and there will be no cost, but please RSVP to Ashley Law so we have enough! This workshop will help us communicate the pro-life message intelligently and graciously without the need of vitriol and angry dialogue. By focusing on two crucial questions, “what are the preborn?” and “what makes humans valuable?” we will learn to simplify the abortion debate and to refute logical fallacies of pro-choice rhetoric in a compelling manner.The workshop leader and speaker will be Mr. Mike Spencer of Life Training Institute (prolifetraining.com and prolifemike.com). Mike considered himself “pro-choice” until shortly after coming to faith in Christ in 1983. Mike travels extensively throughout the United States equipping pro-lifers on high school and university campuses, in churches and serving as the keynote at pro-life banquets and conferences. Mike is a gifted communicator who has a passion to equip others to speak to the often emotional and divisive issue of abortion in a way that is both gracious and kind. Parents are responsible to provide transport to and from event.

November:Sunday, 1st: All Saints’ and All Souls’ day celebration! All 6th-12th grade youth are encouraged to join us for a day of prayer and fellowship at Saint Martin from noon-3pm! We will meet in the Parish Hall at noon. Due to state regulations we ask that you abide by the social distancing guidelines and bring a mask for when social distancing is unattainable.

Sunday, 8th: Open Gym/Youth Group! All youth in the 6th-12th grades are invited to join us in the PLC at Saint Christopher from noon-3pm for a fun time of games and fellowship!

Friday, 13th: Youth Group Fire Night! Come join us for a night by the fire filled with s’mores, prayer, and fellowship at Saint Christopher from 7-10pm. This event is open to all 6th-12th graders! Friends are invited!

Sunday, 15th: Open Gym/ Youth Group! All youth in the 6th-12th grades are invited to join us in the Parish Hall at Saint Martin from noon-3pm for a fun time of games and fellowship!

Sunday, 22nd: Christ the King Celebration and Thanksgiving Potluck! For all youth in the 6th-12th grades! Join us at Saint Christopher in the PLC from noon-3pm for a time of prayer and food! Bring your favorite holiday/fall dish to share with the group!

December:

Sunday, 6th: Supply drive for Home of the Innocents at Saint Martin! Our youth will be collecting donations for Home of the Innocents at Saint Martin in the Parish Hall from noon-3pm. Items needed include: Chap stick, full sized hygiene products, lotion, combs, brushes, towels and wash clothes, laundry detergents and dyer sheets, ect.

If you are unable to get your donation to us at this time please contact Ashley Law to set up another time for pick up or drop off. Thank you so much for your generous donations!

Sunday, 13th: Supply drive for Home of the Innocents at Saint Christopher! Our youth will be collecting donations for Home of the Innocents at Saint Christopher in the PLC from noon-3pm. Items needed include: Chap stick, full sized hygiene products, lotion, combs, brushes, towels and wash clothes, laundry detergents and dyer sheets, ect. If you are unable to get your donation to us at this time please contact Ashley Law to set up another time for pick up or drop off. Thank you so much for your generous donations!

Sunday, 20th: Youth Group Christmas Party! Come join us for our youth group Christmas Party at Saint Christopher from noon-3pm in the PLC! Please bring a small wrapped gift worth no more than $10 for a special game! Make sure to wear an ugly Christmas sweater!

** These dates are subject to change. Any changes and cancelations will be sent out via Email and remind. If you are not yet sign up/receiving emails and reminders please contact Ashley Law by email at ymc@bbtel.com or by phone at (270) 723-0480

**See instruction to join our Remind notifications attached.

“Jesus will come to look for us, and however far we may be, He will transform us in flames of love.”-Saint Therese Lisieux

Things we always need:

New Infant Car Seats

New Pack ‘n plays

NEW Basic 4 qt. Crockpots

New/Used Maternity clothes

Baby Carriers/Slings/Wraps Bassinets

Changing Tables

New/Used Exersaucers

Baby Gates Men’s and Women’s

Hygiene Products: Soap, shampoo,

Feminine products, deodorant, shaving

cream, razors, etc.

Men’s Hand tools: Pliers, Hammer,

Screwdrivers, Tape Measure, etc.

Home Improvement Store Gift cards

Baby wash, shampoo, lotion Baby

towels, washcloths

Baby Bathtubs

Food Pantry Items* (List Available At

https://clarityky.com/)

Quart Zip-top Plastic Bags Gallon Zip-top

Plastic Bags

Infant Bibs

Burp Cloths

Baby Blankets

Diaper bags

Boppy Pillows with covers

New/Used Infant clothes & Shoes, Boys

& Girls sizes newborn-4T

Hair Bows, Hats

New/Used Bouncy Seats

New/Used infant swings

New/Used Stationary Play Center

New/Used Strollers (single and double)

New/Used high chairs

Thank you for donating to Clarity!!!!

St. Christopher and St. Martin of Tours Youth Ministry

Parent/Guardian Consent Form and Liability Waiver

I, ___________________, parent/guardian, request that my child__________________, be

allowed to participate in _________________.

In consideration of permitting my child to participate in this event, I do hereby, for

myself and my child, waive and release any and all claims that I may have against St.

Christopher/St. Martin of Tours, the office of youth ministry, the Archdiocese of

Louisville, adult chaperones and staff, for any and all injuries, illnesses or losses

suffered by said child while in attendance at the above activity.

I (Parent/guardian) understand that I am fully responsible for my child knowing

and abiding by the state guidelines for COVID-19 while participating in youth

events.

In case of emergency, I understand that every effort will be made to contact the

parents or guardians of the youth participating in the above stated activity. In the

event that I cannot be reached, I hereby give permission to the physician selected by

the adult in whose care my child has been entrusted to hospitalize, secure proper

treatment for, and to order injection, anesthesia or surgery for my child, as named

herein. Further, I accept any and all financial responsibility as a result of scheduling

necessary emergency medical treatment.

If photos are taken at this event, I give permission for these photos to be used on our

youth posters and on our group Facebook page and/or website.

Signature of Parent/Guardian_________________________ Date______________

Address_________________________ City_______________________, KY Zip________________

Home Phone____________________ Cell Phone____________________

Emergency Contact ______________________________ Phone____________________

Health information

Physician_______________________

Insurance Co.__________________________ Policy#____________________________

Allergies__________________ Current medications____________________________

St. Christopher and St. Martin of Tours Youth Ministry

Parent/Guardian Consent Form and Liability Waiver

I, ___________________, parent/guardian, request that my child__________________, be

allowed to participate in _________________.

In consideration of permitting my child to participate in this event, I do hereby, for

myself and my child, waive and release any and all claims that I may have against St.

Christopher/St. Martin of Tours, the office of youth ministry, the Archdiocese of

Louisville, adult chaperones and staff, for any and all injuries, illnesses or losses

suffered by said child while in attendance at the above activity.

I (Parent/guardian) understand that I am fully responsible for my child knowing

and abiding by the state guidelines for COVID-19 while participating in youth

events.

In case of emergency, I understand that every effort will be made to contact the

parents or guardians of the youth participating in the above stated activity. In the

event that I cannot be reached, I hereby give permission to the physician selected by

the adult in whose care my child has been entrusted to hospitalize, secure proper

treatment for, and to order injection, anesthesia or surgery for my child, as named

herein. Further, I accept any and all financial responsibility as a result of scheduling

necessary emergency medical treatment.

If photos are taken at this event, I give permission for these photos to be used on our

youth posters and on our group Facebook page and/or website.

Signature of Parent/Guardian_________________________ Date______________

Address_________________________ City_______________________, KY Zip________________

Home Phone____________________ Cell Phone____________________

Emergency Contact ______________________________ Phone____________________

Health information

Physician_______________________

Insurance Co.__________________________ Policy#____________________________

Allergies__________________ Current medications____________________________

To sign up to receive announcements through remind text this message:

For Saint Christopher: @saintchri

For Saint Martin: @ke33ca

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