Hello,

My name is Bryan Macke, and I am the new youth ministry coordinator for St. Maria Goretti Catholic Youth Ministry.  This youth ministry program serves students in grades 6-12 from our four area parishes of Holy Cross, St. Bernard, St. James, and Sts. Peter and Paul.  First, I’d like to begin by thanking so many of you for your warm welcome to me.  It’s not easy moving to a new area and feeling like an outsider, but I already feel right at home.  I can tell this is a great community – very friendly, faith-filled, and candid.  To those that I’ve met (either in person, on the phone, or through email) thank you all so much.  And to those that I’ve yet to meet, I look forward to getting to know you all. 

I feel very blessed to be your new Youth Coordinator/Minister.  I love working with youth – building relationships with them and helping them build a stronger faith in Jesus.  And it is evident to me that there are many members of the community that feel the same way and want to be a part of the lives of the youth and their faith formation.

I look forward to an exciting new year.  It is my personal goal, and I believe I can speak for many other adult leaders involved, to provide a well-balanced variety of activities and opportunities (social, service, and spiritually oriented) that fit the interests and needs of the youth.  I will be coordinating events and ministering to youth, but we want the youth to feel like it’s theirs.  In fact, the word “minister” comes from the Latin word “minus” meaning that one is “less” than or a servant to others. 

So there are many events and activities we are preparing for or participating in this year.  Examples are diocesan retreats such as Source + Summit and Teens Encounter Christ (TEC), service projects such as raking leaves for the elderly and a summer mission trip to the Appalachian region of Kentucky, and fun social events like Black light volleyball and the After School Hangout (which we’re happy to announce we recently had a ping pong table donated and will be receiving a new air hockey table!)   The After School Hangout (ASH) will be on Tuesdays from 3:30 to 5:30 in the new Youth Room at Sts. Peter & Paul. 

If you have any questions, suggestions, would like more information, or would like to get involved in the youth ministry program, please do not hesitate to contact me at bmacke@evdio.org or by phone at 812-664-7992. Your thoughts, ideas and concerns are important to me.  I look forward to meeting you and working with you!

God bless,

Bryan

See the bulletin for a complete list of upcoming activities