Holy Family Youth Ministry involved in outreach projects

Staff report

poland

Holy Family Youth Ministry participated in two outreach activities this summer.

The group traveled to Cumberland, Ky., for its third annual mission trip July 17-22.

This year’s group included youth from Holy Family Church in Poland, Christ the Good Shepherd Parish in Campbell and St. Charles Borromeo and St. Luke churches in Boardman.

The group numbered 59, with 29 from Holy Family.

Ministry members sided a house, replaced a bathroom floor and bathroom tub/shower unit, built and sealed two decks, replaced a drop ceiling with drywall, redid old concrete outdoor steps with new ones, painted the nave of St. Stephen Church, weeded Pastor Mani George’s garden, picked up litter on the main street through town and helped with the monthly food distribution at St. Stephen Church.

Adult chaperones were Ross Fabrizi, Justin Burk and Lori Kurta.

Holy Family Youth Ministry also participated in “Project Grow” in July. “Project Grow” engages young Catholic adults to live out their faith by working with others in the community.

The goal of the beautification project, for participants and passers-by, is to increase awareness of being good stewards of the earth.

The weekend began July 29 with a retreat experience at Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center in Villa Maria, Pa. The event ice breakers, guest speakers Youngstown Mayor John McNally and John R. Swierz, former ward councilman, and concluded with adoration.

On July 30, youths worked to beautify the corner of South Avenue and fountain in Youngstown by picking up litter, weeding the overgrown lot, planting a flower bed, laying mulch and placing a sign indicating that the new and improved lot was made possible by “Teenagers of Project Grow – Catholic Diocese of Youngstown.”

Lunch was at Cafe Augustine on Market Street in Youngstown, and transportation to and from the work site was provided by WRTA.

The day concluded with a final retreat experience and celebration of the Mass.