Holy Ghost is fortunate to have two groups of young adults from the church community who are led by Rose Dunning, our Faith Formation Minister. The Junior High group, comprised of students in grades sixth through eighth, meets each Wednesday during the school year from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30. The Senior High group, (grades 9 – 12), meets each Sunday after the 10:30 mass. Both groups are quite active and contribute to the texture of the Holy Ghost community.

Our youth groups have been engaged in many activities over the past several months. During the Christmas season, both groups participated in bell ringing for the Salvation Army and offered their musical talents during several Masses. They also gathered together for community Christmas caroling to several of our homebound parishioners. Visits to Seabury Woods Nursing Home gave our Junior High group an opportunity to share their gifts with residents. The senior high group selected and cut down the Church’s Christmas tree while the junior high group decorated it. I think we all enjoyed this beautiful addition to the altar throughout the season.

Two of our students, Meghan Hodge and Andy Dreis, participated in a week long leadership workshop at Camp Stella Maris in February. The program focused on faith-based leadership skills and living the Catholic faith in today’s world. Meghan is a junior at Gates Chili High School and is very active in the Holy Ghost Youth Group. Andy is a junior at Spencerport High School and is also a member of the Diocesan Youth Committee or the DYC. As a representative of the DYC, he helps to plan events and lead programs for the Catholic youth in the Diocese. One upcoming event that the DYC helps with is the Junior High Youth Rally to be held on Sunday April 27th at Camp Stella Maris. If you know of a junior high student who would be interested in a day filled with faith based fun, please contact Rose Dunning at the Parish Center.

Our groups remained very active during the Lenten Season. Many students participated in our musical ministry throughout this most Holy time of the year. The living Stations of the Cross, performed each year by the Junior High group, provided a moving experience for the large group of parishioners who attended. This solemn event helped us focus on the importance of the upcoming Holy week. Other Lenten activities included another community service project.. Ten of our youth participate in serving others at the Loaf and Ladle Community Kitchen. This ecumenical soup kitchen serves many residents on a regular basis from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Holley. The students who participated came away with a much better understanding of service to the community.

Looking ahead to April, our Jr. High group is planning an activity once again with Seabury Woods. The eighth graders will also be invited to attend a Sr. High Youth group meeting to see what they have to look forward to as they move up next year. The Sr. High group is finalizing plans for an open house featuring the newly re-decorated youth room. Both groups have been working hard on cleaning, painting, and placing their own special mark on the place they gather for socialization, bible study and faith activities located in our church basement. They look forward to showing this off to the parish, so be alert for the time and date.

Many other activities will follow in the coming months. We will use this blog to keep our parish family aware of what our youth are doing to enhance their faith. Any students from grades six through twelve are encouraged to join our group and participate in the fellowship.

Yours in Christ,
David and Sheryl Dreis