This is a snapshot of the month of December- print it out for the fridge!
Youth Ministry News - December 2018
The days are coming, says the LORD, 
when I will fulfill the promise 
I made to the house of Israel and Judah.
 

Happy New Year! Though it may seem odd for us to be hearing that in the beginning of December, it is no less true for Christians around the world. Advent marks an entrance into the blessed time of anticipation that the world was in before the time of Jesus. A people set apart by God waited for their Deliverer; a world that was broken waited for its Healer. We as Catholic Christians know that the much-awaited One is actually Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrate in just a few weeks. What a joy to know that the day of fulfillment that God spoke of to Jeremiah has come to us, and will come once again!

Below you'll find a listing of the things that are in store for our middle school and high school students in the month of December. I hope that you or your child will be able to join us for some of these offerings. May God richly bless you!

In Christ,
Bradley Barnes, Coordinator of Youth Ministry
Monthly Spotlight:
Save the Date for "Camp GAudeo!"
Camp GAudeo 2019 will be held the week of June 24th -28th at Guardian Angels, and includes a multitude of fun activities! With so many things to plan in your summer, SAVE THE DATE for students currently in grades 5-8 (registration opens late January)!

First Fridays (Grades 6-12)
This month's  First Friday Youth Night  will be held on December 7th  from  5:30-7:30 pm. Please notice that this is a CHANGE from our usual schedule so that we can attend the 5:30 pm Mass for the Holy Day of Obligation (Immaculate Conception). Following Mass, we will have dinner and a Super Smash Bros. tournament in the Undercroft until 7:30 pm.
High School Ministry
High School Youth Group continues to meet weekly this school year on Thursdays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm in the Youth Room. We are exploring a four-week series entitled "This Is My Advent," where we dive into the season and what it teaches us about the person of Jesus. We will supplement our series with opportunities for service to our community!
Middle School Ministry
The December event for grades 6-8 is an evening retreat night called "GAudeo: Advent!" It will be held at the parish on Saturday, December 15th from 5-9pm and will include Mass, activities, games, and fellowship. Please spread the word that we are still looking for committed adults (non-parents to assist in these ministry opportunities!
Youth Ministry needs volunteers for all First Friday Youth Nights through the school year. Please visit the link below and indicate where you can give the gift of your time!

Family Rosary & Thursday Exposition continues throughout the school year. The Blessed Sacrament is Exposed at 3 pm, followed by Family Rosary. Benediction happens each week at approximately 8:50 pm, followed by Reposition.
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Need better ways to keep up-to-date with Youth Ministry? One way that we communicate is through a free service called "Remind." Families that register through Remind receive text updates straight to their phone ONLY regarding important youth ministry information. If you'd like to join, you can text @ymga2018 to 81010 or use the link below:

All men are invited and encouraged to attend GA Father's Team meetings every Friday morning starting at 6:05 am. They provide coffee & fellowship while diving into important topics (this month also includes discussions of the Sunday readings during later weeks).

View with a free account from gaparish.formed.org!

Dr. Pitre applies his knowledge of the Jewish roots of Christianity to the very heart of the Gospel: the love of Christ. You will learn what it really means to have a "personal relationship" with Jesus Christ as Lord, Savior, and Bridegroom.

Read more
leaders.formed.org
Other Announcements:

Soup & Speaker Series

Join us for the next installment of our Soup and Speaker Series on  December 10th . Advent season is here! As we prepare for the birth of Baby Jesus, what should our focus be? Why did Christ come to us on Christmas Day? Fr. Tony Stephens of the Fathers of Mercy and Director of Formation at the Seminary will speak about the most important of God’s gifts to us; His mercy. Soup will be served at 6:00pm with the presentation starting at 7:00pm. A flyer for the event is  attached .


Advent/Christmas Schedule

Immaculate Conception
Holy Day of Obligation
Friday, December 7                                5:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 8                             8:00 a.m.

Sacrament of Reconciliation
Communal Penance Service
Tuesday, December 11                           7:00 p.m.
(No confessions on December 25)

Masses for Christmas
Monday, Christmas Eve                           3:00; 5:00 & 11:00 p.m.
(GA students will perform carols in the Gathering Space before the 3:00
 & 5:00 p.m. Masses. Carols will be sung in church at 10:30 p.m.)
Tuesday, Christmas Day                          9:00 & 11:00 a.m.

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Holy Day of Obligation
Monday, December 31                           5:00 p.m. 
Tuesday, January 1                                9:00 & 10:30 a.m.
(Parish Offices will be closed Dec. 24 – 26, half day Dec. 31 - Jan. 2)


Bradley Barnes | Guardian Angels | 513-624-3148 | bbarnes@gaparish.org