Did You Know?

That we had three of our outstanding youth presented with awards on Friday, at the Annual Diocesan Youth Day, at the Mass celebrated by Bishop Weisenburger?

Keyla Rueda is being awarded the BLESSED CARLO ACUTIS AWARD for Liturgical Leaders. This award is for remarkable Teens serving as altar servers, cantors, lectors, Sacristans, or other liturgical roles. Keyla has served as a Sacristan and a Eucharistic Minister since being confirmed.

Ethan Salerno was awarded the ST. AUGUSTINE AWARD for Missionary Disciples. This award is for outstanding Teens who serve as Catechists, leaders, or mentors. Ethan has been helping with EDGE and Confirmation classes as a facilitator for all four years of high school and is applying for the Seminary this fall. Ethan also serves as a Sacristan and a Eucharistic Minister.

Ian Grimm was awarded the ST. KATHARINE DREXEL AWARD for Missionaries of Mercy. This award is for outgoing teens who engage in acts of service with passion and dedication. Ian is full of joy and passion for the Lord and often reaches out to others in need. Ian serves the Life Teen Mass as a Sacristan and a Eucharistic Minister.

As you know, six of our Youth will be taking part in the Youth Pilgrimage to Rome this April as part of the Jubilee Year: Aiden Fitzpatrick, Lucia Kjolsrud, Andrew Ramey, Gabriel Slone Sophia Ramsey and Ethan Salerno!

We are very proud of and grateful for the MANY young people in our Parish, who are prayerful, joyful, and generous in living their faith! We are blessed! St. Andrew’s will be one of the pilot Parishes for a wonderful Vocations Program: “Called by Name” – which will kick-off next weekend, 15-16 February! We will be asked to identify young people in our Parish whom we think may be open to an invitation to consider a Vocation as a Priest, Deacon, or Religious Sister or Brother! You see them at Mass and involved in various activities and ministries around the Parish – like Keyla, Ian and Ethan, who will be receiving awards at the Diocesan Youth Day! All of us have a role in the discernment process and in assisting young people to hear the Call of God in their lives! As Pope Francis recently shared: “Vocations are fulfilling God’s dream!” Vocations are everyone’s business!

Please see the letter from Bishop Weisenburger about “Called by Name!” in this week’s bulletin!