Dear Families 2017-18

​Dear families,
                Summer is quickly coming to an end and I am excited to get our youth ministries back up and running.  Last year we began God Squad and that group has been amazing!!  Our high school youth group did some truly amazing things as well but also experienced a lot of transition that was difficult for all those involved.   We head in to this new year knowing that ministries to young people need to be fluid and innovative to stay relevant and effective. We aim to meet our young people where they are at, celebrate them for who they are and the gifts they have, and walk with them as they journey forward in their relationship with our God.  We also aim to be a source of support to parents.  Parents are the primary faith guides for their children.  As a youth ministry, we see our role as a support to your role.
                

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​For some time now I have been walking through a discernment process, with our core team and the youth around the future of youth ministry at St. Charles.  The “youth group” structure is no longer adequate (if it ever was) at accomplishing the Church’s role in creating life-long disciples.  We need an innovative approach on how we minister to young people that moves us further toward accomplishing the goals of youth ministry laid out by the U.S. Bishops (USCCB).
 1) To empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today.
2) To draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic faith community.
3) To foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person.    
Included with this letter you will find what I am proposing as this year’s programing.  I believe this wholistic approach will help us achieve the goals listed above.   I need each of you to look over what is presented here and tell me what you think will work, what won’t work, what’s missing, and how you can see yourself helping.  One thing I know is that no youth program, no matter how awesome, will be successful without the “buy-in” and active support from parents.
I look forward to seeing each of you at the first parent’s meeting to get your feedback and collaboration in order to form and finalize a program that will work best for our St. Charles families.  The first meeting will be held Sept 17th directly following Mass in room 13.  Lunch will be provided.  To RSVP for the parent’s meeting please email or call me.  If you are not able to attend please let me know so we can schedule a separate time to discuss your thoughts.
Blessings and Solidarity
Gabriel Triplett
Pastoral Associate/Youth Coordinator
gabet@stcharlespdx.org
(c) 541-680-6509