Youth

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Spare Change helps military archdiocese

PEARL – Students attending Vacation Bible School at St. Jude Parish collected spare change for the Archdiocese of the Military Services, USA. This archdiocese does not have one geographic area. It serves Catholic military personnel and their families around the world. Students sent the money and a letter about their Vacation Bible School experience and got a nice thank you letter in return. (Photo by Tereza Ma)

VBS a breath of inspiration

WEST POINT – Immaculate Conception Parish teamed up with the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation to host a vacation Bible School this summer. Youth volunteers from both churches assisted the teacher from Immaculate Conception while Incarnation provided food daily. The theme this year was Maker Fun Factory – Created by God Built for a Purpose. The classes ran from July 10-13 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and averaged 20 children participating each night with an average of 10 youth helpers. “We opened our VBS to the community so we had children that do not necessarily attend our churches. I feel we had a great turnout and we had awesome helpers and teachers,” wrote Penny Elliott, who submitted the photos. At right, students make their own cars. At left, they blow into the sails to race the cars to demonstrate how God is with us even when we can’t see him just as their breath invisibly moves their cars. (Photos by Penny Elliott)

Inspiring Day on the water

SEMINARY – Mason Daniels, a member of the Meridian St. Patrick and St. Joseph youth group, uses a rope swing to jump into the Okatoma Creek Saturday, July 15. A group of 19 youth and adults spent the day on the water. One of the highlights was listening to the faith story of Dan Ryan. He is currently a student pilot at Naval Air Station Meridian and a graduate of the Naval Academy in Annapolis. After we lunch on the creek side bank, Dan shared some of his faith story and how important it has been to him during his time at the Naval Academy and now at NAS Meridian as he is progressing toward earning his wings. He encouraged the youth to hold fast to their faith and that Christ will see them through to their tough times and celebrate with them during their joyful times. (Photo by John Harwell)

Two dozen from Oxford attend Catholic conference

OXFORD – Twenty-seven members of St. John the Evangelist Total Youth Ministry (TYM) and eight chaperones left Oxford early Friday morning, July 21, to attend the annual Mid-American Conference sponsored by the Franciscan University, Steubenville, Ohio. The Mid-American Conference is held at Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo., and is sponsored by the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Teen Conferences are held in 25 locations throughout the United States, and attract some 50,000 teens and young adults annually. The Mid-American Conference, Springfield, is held in two sessions with a combined attendance of some 7,000 teens. This is the eighth year St. John’s TYM has attended. Students earn their expenses by taking part in fund-raising projects at St. John. (Photo by Gene Buglewicz)

St. Elizabeth hosts 86 for Vacation Bible School

CLARKSDALE – St. Elizabeth Parish hosted Vacation Bible School June 12-16. The theme was Maker Fun Factory- Created by God, Built for a Purpose. An average of 86 kids came each day. The week filled with music, games, scripture, and inventions aimed at teching the children that God individually created each person for His specific purpose.

CLARKSDALE – St. Elizabeth Parish, Catherine Gaddy, Tucker Dooley, and Michael Stonestreet Amazed at the Go Bot he just made in the Imagination Station. They were made from a pool noodle, battery toothbrush and markers. (Photos by Sarah Brooks Cauthen)

CLARKSDALE – St. Elizabeth Parish Kyle Rawlinson, Rachel Thornton, Alyssa Vassel, and Ryleigh Kate Scarbrough racing to dress up during games. (Photos by Sarah Brooks Cauthen)

Alive in You offers work, play

CHATTANOOGA – Eight girls from Clarksdale St. Elizabeth Parish attended Alive in You Catholic Service Camp and Conference in Chattanooga, Ten June 20-25. The girls worked an an area elementary school on the playground and painting classrooms and did a full yard cleanup for an elderly lady. On their day off, they took a white water rafting trip. At left, Olivia Watts, Madisen Lutts and Shelby Gordon spread mulch at the school. At right on the rafting trip, the guide is Evan from Outland Expeditions, Read Middleton, Madisen Lutts, Olivia Watts, Lauren Agostinelli, and Shelby Gordon. (Photos by Sarah Brooks Cauthen)