Dear Parishioners: 

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and to tell you a little bit about an exciting endeavor happening within the parish. My name is Jen Blackstone, and I am the youth ministry coordinator for St. Maria Goretti Catholic Youth Ministry. This new youth ministry program serves students in grades 6-12 from our four area parishes of Holy Cross, Sts. Peter and Paul, St. James, and St. Bernard.  

This year we will be providing opportunities for faith formation, involvement in service projects, retreats such as Source + Summit and Teens Encounter Christ (TEC), as well as fun social events. In addition to offering special events each month, our high school teens will have the chance to gather together weekly to develop new friendships, learn about our faith, and get closer to God. Please refer to our event calendars for dates and check the parish bulletin for details on them. Through our programming, we hope to foster personal and spiritual growth among our youth, development of Christian leadership skills, and their increased involvement within our parishes and the larger faith community.  

In an effort to encourage greater, more wide-spread participation and enthusiasm for youth events among the students, we are launching an incentives program for the 2009-2010 school year, the Goretti “GO” card. Each youth in grades 6-12 can earn points for attending events, and once a certain number of points are accumulated, he or she can choose a reward… The “GO” card opens the door to “Great Opportunities” such as making new friends, growing in love for God, and earning rewards!!! 

If you have any questions, would like more information, or would like to get involved in the youth ministry program, please do not hesitate to contact me at jblackstone@evansville-diocese.org or by phone at 768-6457. I look forward to seeing you soon! 

God bless,

Jen