Youth Group


Katrina Pesta, Youth Ministry Coordinator
203-838-3788, ext, 115
YouthCoordinator@StMatthewNorwalk.org
     

If you would like to download the Youth Group 2024 Calendar, click here

 

 

 

 

 

February 26, 2024
From Katrina:

I hope everyone had a great winter break. As we return to our typical schedules and routines it is easy to get distracted from the season of Lent. Easter will be here before we know it so I pray that we all have a chance to use this time to reflect. Father Miguel’s homily this week focused on the journey we take hiking up a mountain. We pack our backpack with water and snacks and the bag becomes rather heavy. While we continue up the mountain we eat and drink and the weight moves from our bag to our stomachs. Technically, we are still carrying the same weight but in a different location. Our ability to prepare accordingly find the positive in the journey helps us have a greater success in the end.
This week youth ministry has two events focusing on the 2 pillars of Lent- fasting and almsgiving. On Friday youth ministry is sponsoring the simple supper after stations. We need teens to help set up, serve and clean up. We will be in the great room from 6:15-8. You can come help for the entire time or just a little bit. The sign up link is below
Saturday is also our giant service project from 12pm-2pm. We will be putting together 50 Easter baskets for children around Fairfield County in need. I will be ordering pizza so please let me know if you will be there. THIS EVENT IS OPEN TO ALL THREE YOUTH GROUPS- parents are also welcome to join. I will sign off on service hours for anyone that needs them!
Have a fantastic week!
Katrina Pesta

Upcoming Events:

Friday, March  1st: Stations of the Cross and Pasta Dinner
  • Stations of the Cross at 7PM: open to the entire parish
  • Looking for help from all three youth groups
  • Sign up to set up, serve or bring a meat-free pasta dish
Stations of the Cross at 7PM is open to the entire parish. Afterwards, youth ministry will be serving a simple pasta supper in the great room. All 3 youth ministry groups are invited to help at the event-  Sign up to set up, serve or bring a meat-free pasta dish
March  2nd: 8th Grade & High School
  • Easter Basket for several organizations around Fairfield County
  • Great Room from 12PM-2PM
Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!
www.signupgenius.com
March  16th: Middle and High School
Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!
www.signupgenius.com
March  16th: 3rd-5th Grade YG
  • Great Room 5PM-7PM
March  29th: Living Stations of the Cross
Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. There will be a rehearsal the Sunday prior (3/24) as well as the morning of Good Friday (3/29). There are a variety of roles available so that everyone is able to participate.
 
YOUTH MINISTRY PROGRAM – DIOCESAN CONSENT AND RELEASE FORM
Parents: please complete this form so we can collect important information regarding your child such as medical information, allergies, emergency contacts, photo release permissions, etc. Please return the forms to Katrina Pesta via email or at any youth ministry event.
ALL VOLUNTEERS
We are in need of VIRTUS-certified volunteers for our Youth Group meetings. We urge you to prayerfully consider signing up to volunteer. Please reach out to Katrina with your availability.
If you are not VIRTUS-certified or are under 18-years old but wish to volunteer, please DO NOT sign up on our form linked above and contact Katrina Pesta, Youth Coordinator.
YOUTH VOLUNTEERS
  • The parish is always looking for youth readers, ushers, altar servers and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion. If you are interested in lending your time and talents in any of these roles please reach out to Katrina at youthcoordinator@stmatthewnorwalk.org
VIRTUS INFORMATION
The Diocese of Bridgeport requires all volunteers over the age of 18 to complete one training & have a background check before they can volunteer. We are asking all parents to receive VIRTUS certification in order to volunteer for at least one Youth Group event a year.

If you are not VIRTUS trained, please refer to the instructions below to create an account and sign up for an online or in-person training session.

If you are unsure of your status, please go to the link below and enter your username and password to verify the validity of your certification:

1) Go to http://www.virtusonline.org/virtus/

2) Click “First-Time Registrant”

3) Click “Begin the registration process”

4) Select “Bridgeport, CT (Diocese)” from the drop-down menu

5) Proceed to follow the prompts and create a username and password

NOTE: It is very important that you select “Diocese of Bridgeport” when registering online for training.

 

For questions or assistance, please contact the Office of Safe Environment, Diocese of Bridgeport:
JANUARY 29, 2024
From Katrina: This Sunday’s gospel gives us some wonderful insights into our journey toward the heights of holiness and how Jesus is revealed to us in different ways. We must always remember to listen to the Lord and harden not out heart. As we enter into Lent we will continue to strive as a ministry to serve others and grow our faith so that we can spend our day to day lives growing in holiness and love for one another.
Sign ups are going to be looking a little different for February and March. Sign ups will be by event and listed below the dates in this email. The can also be found on the St. Matthew Youth Ministry Instagram (@stmatt_youth). During Lent our calendar has become more event based rather than our weekly Sunday evening events. This is designed to accommodate teens that are not available at that time. Our schedule is structured to provide teens with the chance to join youth ministry activities that appeal to their interests such as service or deepening their faith lives.
Please feel free to bring friends to any upcoming events. All they need is the release form at the bottom of this email. Even if everyone just invited one friend to one event we would be able grow each and every week.
Finally, I will be traveling next week with my school to Florida to rehab manatees that have been struck by boats- therefore there will not be a Monday morning email. Please pray for our safe travels.
Best,
Katrina Pesta
UPCOMING EVENTS:

Friday, February 2ndMiddle School & High School Adoration   

  • 6-7PM in the church
  • RSVP not required

Saturday, February 10th:  3rd- 5th Grade Youth Ministry

  • 5-7PM in the Newman Center
  • RSVP not required

Sunday, February 11th: Middle School & High School “Soup”er Bowl

  • 10:30AM-1:30PM after mass
  • teens will collect cans after masses, organize them in the food pantry and then get ready for big game with nachos!

Wednesday, February 14th: Ash Wednesday- Don’t Forget to pick up your “Lent in a Bag” from Katrina after receiving your ashes

Sunday, February 25th: Soccer for the Soul
  • Join teens from several parishes in Norwalk for some pick up soccer, a Lenten reflection and snacks!
  • 1:00PM-2:30PM in the Rec Center
Friday, March  1st: Stations of the Cross and Pasta Dinner
  • Stations of the Cross at 7PM: open to the entire parish
  • Looking for help from all three youth groups
  • Sign up to set up, serve or bring a meat-free pasta dish
March  2nd: 8th Grade & High School
  • Easter Basket for Malta House
**SIGN UP COMING SOON​​**
 
March  16th: Middle and High School
  • Making Irish Soda Bread
  • Great Room from 12PM-2PM
**SIGN UP COMING SOON​​**
March  29th: Living Stations of the Cross

YOUTH GROUP REGISTRATION
Want to register your child to be part of our Youth Group?
Download and fill out our Youth Group Registration form to receive email updates, learn about our upcoming events and stay in touch with Katrina!
All are welcome!!