Awaken and Renew Your Unique Role in This Community as a Disciple of Christ... Build Relationships. Become Involved. Share Your Gifts and Talents.

Feb. 4th & 5th - Souper Bowl of Caring

The youth community will be collecting hearty soups, new winter socks, gloves, and knit hats in a nation-wide initiative called Souper Bowl of Caring. There will be baskets at every entrance of the church for you to place any of your donations. We appreciate your generosity! After the 7pm Mass, we will be heading over to Joseph's House to drop off the donations. Joseph's House is an overnight cafe for people who are homeless in Camden, NJ. Please let me know if you are interested in joining us for the trip over to Joseph's House- just email me at roconnor@christourlight.net

YOUTH GROUP WEEKLY GATHERINGS
all are welcome

Tuesdays 6-8pm Youth Room
Middle School and High School Youth Group (7th - 12th grade)
Prayer, Activities, Open Space, Real People building Real Relationships

Thursdays 6-830pm Youth Room
High School Youth Group (9th -12th grade)
Prayer, Activities, Open Space, Leadership Development

7th & 8th Grade Youth Faith Formation
Please visit: https://sites.google.com/site/colteenfaith/home

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FOR YFF & CONFIRMATION PREP:

7th & 8th Grade Youth Faith Formation (YFF) Schedule:
Calendar_2011.2012
Confirmation Preparation Schedule:
LLFF Outline side 1 & LLFF Outline side 2

High School Youth Ministry - stay connected and see whats coming up: (Just click on the Facebook link!)

Youth Commission - advisory board comprised of adult parishioners & youth leaders organized by the framework of "Renewing the Vision" -United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Advocacy / Justice & Service - Desiree Hernandez
Catechesis / Evangelization - Deacon Joe Seaman & Antonella Bouchard
Leadership Development - Diana Hayes
Prayer & Worship - Matty Becker, Timmy Poole
Community Life - Frank Strieffler & Michele Jastrzemski
Pastoral Care - Ryan O'Connor

2012 Middle School Members:
Claire Potosky
Kaeleigh Becker
Sean Dugan

2012 High School Members:
Matty Becker
Timmy Poole
Elizabeth Dugan

Youth Leadership Positions

Coordinator of Social Media - Elizabeth Dugan
Coordinators of Prayer & Worship - Matt Becker, Melissa DeLeon, Tim Poole
Youth Parish Council Member - Juila Love

Past Social Events

Ski-Trip to Blue Mountain, Valentine Frozen Yogurt Gathering, Pot-Luck Dinner, Christian Ethics - Discussions, Ice Skating at Penns Landing, Wiffleball Home Run Derby, Parish Retreat Day Childcare, Cosmic Bowling, Floor Hockey Mania, Movie Night, Roller Skating, Camping Trip with St. Joe's Pro-Cathedral Youth, Terror Behind the Walls - Eastern State Pententiary, Halloween Dance at St. Joe's...

Vision Statement

There can be no authentic development in the moral and spiritual character of our community’s youth without their genuine self-expression at every stage. Therefore, youth ministry must first of all provide youth with an open, nonjudgmental, and comfortable forum. When youth know that they will not be judged, either by youth ministers or their peers, they will be able to fully and truly express themselves.

Once a foundation of genuine self-expression is laid, moral and spiritual development can be pursued - above all through service to others. Youth know that Christ Our Light is committed to social justice and they, too, want to work for this common goal through concrete and meaningful activity. In particular, they are interested in learning about the nearby city of Camden by connecting with the people there, especially the youth.

The community, especially the family, is a necessary support for youth. They raise and nurture our youth, teach and guide them, and help them assume their rightful roles in society. The baptismal call to be priests, prophets, and shepherds, still fresh in the minds and hearts of youth, urges them to already assume appropriate leadership roles in the community. They understand well that “to reign with Christ is to serve with him.” Leadership roles are always roles of service through which youth demonstrate that they can not only participate in the work of the Church but also initiate and plan it.

In their eagerness to serve others, our youth are mindful that their service to others as Christians is distinctive. The light of Christ reveals that God is the architect of true justice, the guarantee of lasting peace, and the only consistent guide for our happiness. Our youth will be present at the communal celebration of the Eucharist, where God gathers us around a common table in a foretaste of our goal of human unity. Flowing from the Eucharist, their regular prayer will ask God’s blessing upon the work of their hands, so that with their brothers and sisters in Christ they may realize the reign of God.