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
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April 2, 2024
Good morning and Happy Easter. I hope that you feel spiritually rejuvenated from participation in Holy Week Masses, private prayer, and daily self-reflection. A special thank you to everyone who participated in Living Stations of the Cross on Good Friday and those who came to watch and support the group. Let us begin this first week of April 2024 with renewed confidence and joy in our hearts as we continue to celebrate the season of Easter.
Here is an updated list of events:
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“Our hearts are restless until they rest in you, O Lord.” These words
often describe the spiritual angst that teenagers experience
throughout their high school years. Every teen has the desire to
belong. This weekend will help bring teens to life changing encounters
with Jesus as they experience amazing speakers giving witness
talks, praise and worship music, Adoration, high energy Masses, the
Sacrament of Reconciliation, small group discussions, fellowship
with other Catholic teens and MORE!
We leave Friday, July 26, at about noon and travel by car to Springfield,
MA. We return Sunday, July 28, late afternoon. The conference is
being held at the Mass Mutual Center and we will be staying at
Elms College. The cost is $375 including conference registration,
transportation via cars, lodging, a t-shirt and meals (dinner Friday,
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Saturday, Continental Breakfast Sunday).
Teens will be supervised by our Virtus-trained adult chaperones.
We have limited spots available, and they are first come, first
serve. Questions? Reach out to Katrina Pesta at 917-418-7555 or
via email at: YouthCoordinator@stmatthewnorwalk.org
Happy Monday!!
March 29th: Living Stations of the Cross
In need of readers, sound, lights, parent volunteers and performers
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.April 7th: 6th Grade Youth Group at All Saints Catholic School
4:00 PM-6:15 PMApril 14th: High School Youth Group
6:00 PM-7:30 PM Newman CenterApril 27th: 3rd-5th Grade Youth Group
5:00 PM-7:00 PMSign Up Genius will be posted after Easter
YOUTH MINISTRY PROGRAM – DIOCESAN CONSENT AND RELEASE FORMParents: 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 VOLUNTEERSWe 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 St. Matthew Safe Enviornments Coordinator at Virtus@StMatthewNorwalk.org.
Happy Monday!!
Katrina Pesta
Upcoming Events:
March 16th: Middle and High School
- Making Irish Soda Bread for retired religious and community helpers
Great Room from 12PM-2PM Are you able to deliver a Soda Bread after we back them? Please email Katrina ASAP
Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!March 16th: 3rd-5th Grade YG
Great Room 5PM-7PM Glow Games and Pizza March 29th: Living Stations of the Cross
In need of readers, sound, lights, parent volunteers and performers
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.
From Katrina:
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 dishMarch 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.comMarch 16th: Middle and High School
- Making Irish Soda Bread
Great Room from 12PM-2PM
Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!www.signupgenius.comMarch 16th: 3rd-5th Grade YG
Great Room 5PM-7PM March 29th: Living Stations of the Cross
In need of readers, sound, lights, parent volunteers and performers
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 FORMParents: 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 VOLUNTEERSWe 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:Mallory Moyer:
UPCOMING EVENTS:Friday, February 2nd: Middle School & High School Adoration
6-7PM in the church RSVP not requiredSaturday, 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!
Teens will collect cans after masses, organize them in the food pantry and then get ready for big game with nachos!www.signupgenius.comWednesday, 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
Join teens from other parishes for some pick up soccer, a Lenten reflection and snacks!www.signupgenius.comFriday, 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 dishwww.signupgenius.comMarch 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
In need of readers, sound, lights, parent volunteers and performers
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.www.signupgenius.com
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!!