You Are Welcome Here

“This is what is needed:  a Church for young people, which will know how to speak to their heart and enkindle, comfort, and inspire enthusiasm in it with the joy of the Gospel and the strength of the Eucharist; a Church which with know how to invite and welcome the person who seeks a purpose for which to commit his whole existence; a Church which is not afraid to require much, after having given much; which does not fear asking from young people the effort of a noble and authentic adventure, such as that of the following of the Gospel.”  

–Pope John Paul II - 1996 World Day of Prayer for Vocations

The EDGE:  Generation Change -

Open to middle school students in grades 6-8.

Life Teen

Open to high school students in grades 9-12.

The REACH Team

Open to mature high school and college-aged young adults. 

Dear Parents,

St. Richard Church has a long history of providing dynamic Catholic Youth Ministry to young people, which directly effected me as a 17 year old, as a CORE member in 2003, and now I am so privileged to serve as the Director of Youth Ministry. 

Many are familiar with the Life Teen Program for High School Teens, and the tremendous blessing that the CORE Team of Adults has been in the past 5 years.  We are all very excited to continue to build upon this dynamic ministry as we reach out to the community through serving at the Light House Food Pantry and in Appalachia.  The teens offer their talents to God and His People through the Living Stations and witnessing at parish events and during liturgy. 

Our Middle School Ministry, The EDGE: Generation Change, is a cross-over ministry aiming to empower early adolescent youth with what they need to be a change in their world and bring the power of the Scripture to life.

And finally, something new, the REACH Team.  REACH is a ministry of fellowship  that supports mature college students and young adults in their Catholic Faith through a monthly meeting and service opportunities with The EDGE and Life Teen.  REACH Team Members become mentors for The EDGE group, as well as develop ministry and leadership skills to take with them.

For all of this I am extremely thankful!  Please continue to encourage your son or daughter to take part in the program on some level.  Your insisting on their attendance on some level speaks of the importance of their faith life.  We count on you to get them here and you can count on us to make their time well spent.

May God continue to bless your family!

Holly Joy and the CORE