Advent is here!

It is hard to believe, but Advent is here! This week I was challenged to really enter in to these weeks of Advent despite the fact that these four weeks, though set aside to wait in joyful expectation of our coming King, often end up being four of the busiest weeks of the year. I'm going to try to focus on one small thing each day this season and try to do it well and with my whole heart instead of trying to do a million some-what meaningful things that are supposed to help me enter into this beautiful season. Need some examples of what that could look like?? Check out LifeTeen's daily Advent Calendar! I will be posting the link to it on Facebook each day.

Happy Advent!!

Fall Fun Night!!

WHEN? THIS SUNDAY, October 30th, 7-8:30pm 

WHERE? St. Andrew Apostle, Kominski Room

WHY? Because it is the night before Halloween!!

Pumpkin Painting! Caramel Apples! Fall games! Candy! Pizza!

And COSTUMES!! 

Don't miss out! I don't want to eat all of the candy myself. :)

Word for Word Series (A look at the changes of the Roman Missal)

St. Andrew's Youth Group will be spending time this Fall diving  into the Roman Missal changes heading our way come Advent. We will be spend 4 weeks learning more about the Mass and what is really going on with all these ch ch ch changes coming our way!

 

 

We will have 4 special topic sessions during our regularly schedule Youth Group meeting time. ALL Youth in grades 9-12 are welcome. Bring your friends. This is the PERFECT time to bring your friends to Youth Group, especially if they have questions!

Word for Word Sundays:
October 9th 7-8:30pm
October 23rd 7-8:30
November 6th 7-8:30
November 13 7-8:30

Youth Group Kick Off!!

THIS SUNDAY; 7-8:30pm

(St. Andrew Apostle Kominski Room)

The first few weeks of school are under you belt so you know what that means? Youth Group kick off time!!

                                    Invite ALL of your friends! 

(Anyone in grades 9-12 welcome!)

There will be glow sticks, glow sticks and more glow sticks! Oh yeah, and some food and information about what is in store for Youth Group this year!

How many things can we do with glow sticks? You'll have to come to find out!

Bring a friend! Did I mention that? More friends=more fun!

World Youth Day Holy Hour!

World Youth Day 2011

Madrid, Spain

World Youth Day Holy Hour 2011

Silver Spring, MD

Thursday, August 18, 2011

7-8pm

While millions of youth from literally around the world join together in prayer with our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI we will be uniting with them in prayer here at St. Andrew's. We may not be in Spain, but we are surely united in the Eucharist!

EVERYONE is invited. Bring your friends, your families...anyone! Come and join us in this hour of prayer for the WYD pilgrims!

Encounter Follow Up

Thank you SO much to those of you who supported the youth of St. Andrew's as they journeyed to Encounter the Gospel of Life service camp last month. Not only was it a time of serving those in the community around us but also a time of growing in our community with one another. Below you will find a few fun pictures from the week, but more importantly a few thoughts from a couple of the teens from St. Andrew's. To see all of the pictures from the week be sure to check us out of facebook!

The conclusion of the week was that we want MORE people to come an experience this with us next summer so  mark your calendars and jump on board!

"Encounter was appreciably fun from the first day icebreakers to the final affirmations and goodbyes to new and old friends. Encounter pushed me to step outside of my comfort zone and to volunteer myself in new ways of service and help to others."

"Encounter was a great balance of fun and service, with ample free time to hang out after service sites; it was easy to hang out with friends from the parish who weren’t at the same site as me." 

"Encounter was a great experience. I became closer to the people in your parish while still making new friends."

"I came home from camp with great stories and memories, and a new attitude and outlook on how I want to live and change my life for the better. I can’t wait to go back next year!"

St. Andrew Apostle's Encounter Crew 2011

Last SUNDAY Youth Group before Summer!

Sunday, June 5, 7-8:30pm!

Come on out for our last youth group before SUMMER!!!

Water balloons, food, outdoor games!!! AND one last chance to sign up for the BEACH trip! :)

We will also be handing out the summer calendar and honoring our Senior, Katie!!! (yup, that's you katie!)

Don't miss it!

BLESSED John Paul II, Pray for us!

Today a modern day Saint and holy man of God was honored. He touched our lives, he changed our hearts, he brought us closer to the heart of Christ, he brought us to the truth and reminded us not to be afraid.  Blessed John Paul II continue to pray for us and this generation!

Check out Pope Benedict XVI's Beatification Homily

Christ is Risen!

Happy Easter!! He is Risen! We are free! 

"Oh, death ,where is your sting? Oh, hell, where is your victory? Our God is not dead He's alive!"

"We are an Easter people, and Alleluia is our song!"-John Paul II

Scavenger Hunt/CONTEST

 

Hey hey!
Last year we had a last minute SCAVENGER HUNT that ended up being a blast! This year we are trying to make it bigger and better than ever!

Sunday, May 1!!! 7-8:30PM!!!
More CLUES! More PRIZES! More PEOPLE!!

BRING THE MOST PEOPLE AND WIN!
1. Invite people!! THE PERSON WHO BRINGS THE MOST PEOPLE WILL WIN A SPECIAL PRIZE!! What you might ask???? You'll have to come to find out!
2. The team/person who wins the scavenger hunt gets bragging rights and some pretty cool prizes too!
Start inviting people now and keep checking our Facebook event for more details!

Holy Week Schedule

                     

It may be Spring Break but it is also a week that should be prayer filled, and St. Andrew's has many opportunities to enter in to these Holy Days. Pick at least one extra thing to do for Holy Week.  You won't regret it! Here is the Holy Week Schedule of Events at St. Andrew's: Wednesday, April 20  Regular Mass Schedule  “Born for This” - 1:30 pm  Confessions/Adoration - 6:30-8:00 pm  Holy Thursday, April 21  NO Morning Mass  Mass of the Lord’s Last Supper - 7:30 pm Good Friday, April 22  NO Morning Mass  "Born For This" - 12 noon  Confessions - 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm  Stations of the Cross - 3:00 pm  Passion of the Lord - 7:30 pm

Palm Sunday Movie Night!

Start your Spring Break/Holy week off right...come out to Youth Group and check out a movie about THE Man that this week is all about.

We will be watching Jesus of Nazareth on Sunday, May 17th from 7:00-8:30 (so we have time to finish) so that we can start of this Holy Week focused and ready to go!

Popcorn and water provided :) See you there!

All teens in grades 8-12 are welcome.

Taize (and Lenten Reconciliation Service)!

On Tuesday, April 12 (TOMORROW), the parish will host a Lenten Taize service followed by the Sacrament of Reconciliation. 

Taize is a community in France which welcomes pilgrims from all over the world (including a large number of high school and college students) and conducts a simple form of prayer consisting of scripture, song and silence. 

Several priests will be available for confessions following the prayer service. 

Don't miss out on an extraordinary way to enter into these last weeks of Lent! 

Final Stations and Soup!

 

 

 

This is your last chance!!! Don't miss it!! It is an amazing way to focus on the season...and we have a great time afterwards!


Just like last year we will be joining our parish family Friday for stations and enjoying some (meatless) soup afterward while just having fun playing games, watching a movie or whatever we think up! There may even be a quesadilla maker! :)

OUR LAST FRIDAY OF STATIONS AND SOUP IS THIS FRIDAY!!! 7-8:30pm
Bring your family to stations. Bring a friend to stations. Or, just come to stations!! We will gather in the Kominski room after Stations/Adoration for good soup and fun. Come for the whole time, come for a little while...I will be here until 8:30. 

All teens in grades 8-12 are welcome!

See you there!

Happy St. Patrick's Day! (What does that even mean?!)

I am sitting at my desk, decked out in green.  I even have super cute green striped socks on. I am ready for St. Patrick's day. But why?

Ever wonder why we celebrate St. Patrick's Day?! More importantly, do you ever wonder how it became a day that encourages many to drink in excess and not think anything of it? I sure do. Every year I wonder how the world began celebrating alcohol instead of this great missionary Saint's life.

Today I decided I was going to blog about why we celebrate this day...the real reason. As I sat down to blog I found that a great friend of mine must have woken up with the exact same thought! Her blog about green beer, St. Patrick, and the Saints gets right to the point. SO, instead of me re-inventing the wheel, check out HER blog!

And for a little bit of education (and entertainment) about St. Patrick check out this video. It pretty much made my morning.

Ready...Sent...LENT!

So, we made it. It is Ash Wednesday. We have indulged. We have celebrated. We have decided (for the most part) what we are going give up/take on in order to enter more fully into this season. Party hats and all things celebratory are tucked away. Our "Gloria's" and "Alleluias" have been sung one last time.  We are here. 

It. Is. Lent.

Now what?

Did anybody else wake up today thinking that today should feel different? Like all of the talk of "giving up" and "sacrificing" left you with this pressure that on Ash Wednesday you should wake up and suddenly life should be lived differently? I certainly woke up today to the reality that I am very much the same as I was yesterday. Same exhaustion in the morning, same short comings, same everything. Today, though, I was very aware of those short comings. "ugh, bring on 40 days of being SUPER discouraged and very aware of my every fault" I thought. Then  I remembered, we are joining Christ on a JOURNEY here. This journey is not meant for 40 days of discouragement but 40 days of allowing Him to purify us, rid us of those things that keep us from returning to Him with our whole heart. (If you haven't read today's readings be sure to! They are amazing!)

 We are not expected to be perfect at our Lenten sacrifice first thing in the morning on Ash Wednesday. In fact, we should be allowing ourselves to give Him our imperfection in these things over the next 40 days and let Him change our hearts, minds, souls and actions. After all, isn't it supposed to be about His work IN us and not how amazing we are at successfully living out our sacrifices? Right. 

Still not sure what Lent is really all about? Need more specifics about what, why and how? Check out my friend Bob's blog for an amazing breakdown of what we do and why!

Still not sure what to give up/take-on? Our friends at CatholicYouthMinistry.com have put together a pretty sweet list of suggestions that can help get your thought process started!

One of the best ways to focus during Lent is to find ways to seek Christ more, and spend time with others who are doing the same. Be sure to check out our calendar (here on the blog!) for more information about Stations and Soup, Taize, Sunday Youth Group and other events we will have available here at St. Andrew's!!

Don't forget..."Even now, says the LORD,

return to me with your whole heart..." 

That is what He wants from each of us this Lent. Our whole heart. Are you ready? 

Ready...Set...Lent...

Music Break

While catching up on my youth ministry blog reading today I came across this song and have not been able to stop listening since. A friend sent it to me weeks ago but the video was a little too out-there "artsy" (I know, I know I am super close minded at times) for me so I didn't really listen to it much. Today was a different story. The lyrics are amazing. The Truth spoken stirs hearts. His loves HAS overcome, and I am thankful to know Him and that Love first hand. 

Are you?!

David Crowder Band- SMS [Shine]

Send me a sign
A hint, O whisper
Fill me with life
'Cause I am listening

Come break the quiet
Breathe your awakening
Bring me the light
'Cause I am fading

Surround me with the rush of angels' wings


Shine Your light so I can see You
Pull me up, I need to be near You
Hold me, I need to feel loved
Can You overcome this heart that's overcome?


You sent a sign
The hint, O whisper
Human, divine
Everyone is listening

Death laid low
Quiet in the night is stirring

All around the rush of angels


O the wonder of the greatest love has come


Shine Your light so all can see it
Lifted up, 'cause the whole world needs it
Love has come, what joy to hear it
He has overcome, He has overcome

Mardi Gras!

Mardi Gras Bash!!

When: SUNDAY, March 6^th at 7pm!

Where: Kominski Room!

Mask Decorating!!

Music!!

Games!!

Food!!

 A few King Cakes may even show up…you just never know!

*ALL 8^TH GRADERS ARE INVITED TO THIS EVENT and each Youth Group event to follow! What better time to get involved in something new than Lent?!

For More Information Contact:

Joanna Moleski

(301) 287-8209

St.AndrewsYM@gmail.com

Fundraiser! Fundraiser! Fundraiser!

WHAT?  A fundraiser!

WHEN?  Thursday, February 24th 

(and every 4th Thursday of each month until JUNE) from 5:30-8:30pm

WHERE?  Five Guys at Aspen Hill!

WHY?  To help St. Andrew's Youth Group get to 

Encounter the Gospel of Life Service Camp 

this summer!!

Help our youth get to Encounter the Gospel of Life Service Camp this summer! On the FOURTH THURSDAY of February-June (2/24, 3/24, 4/28, 5/26, 6/23) 30% of all receipts will be donated to the Youth Group’s service trip! Flyers for the fundraisers can be found in the back of the church or online at: ssabulletins@yahoo.com

March for Life 2011

"America you are beautiful, and blessed...The ultimate test of your greatness is the way you treat every human being, but especially the weakest and most defenseless. If you want equal justice for all and true freedom and lasting peace, then America, defend life."- John Paul II

On Monday, hundreds of thousands of Americans marched in prayerful protest for those who are unable to stand up for themselves because they were never given a chance to live. Over 30,000 of those in attendance were young people who began the day by gathering for Mass with Cardinal Wuerl. 30,000 young people chose to speak up for those who don't have a voice. 30,000 young people made it known that they will not let the culture of death have the final world. The message of the day was that of love. No matter what the offense, and no matter what the opinion, the only way we will begin to see a change is by loving each and every person that is in front of us.  This generation is willing a ready to love until they see change in this world and that gives me such hope for our future as a Church and as a nation. 30,000...and that was just in DC today. This generation has a mission and I have no question that they will make their voices heard. Don't believe me? Everyone is talking about it: See?

Here are a few highlights of the day:

Up bright and early and ready for the day!

Just a few young people waiting outside of the Verizon Center!

A little break dancing before mass?? Why not?

Cardinal Wuerl was smiling all morning. The youth brought him such joy!

Let the March begin...

Summer Service Opportunity! Encounter the Gospel of Life Service Camp!

Need something to do this summer? Want a chance to serve? Want a chance to grow in your faith, serve others and have fun at the same time?? Join St. Andrew's Youth Group at Encounter this summer!!


Encounter is a week long service camp/retreat program at the
University of Maryland that gives teens the opportunity to serve those
in their local community while growing deeper in their faith and
having fun at the same time! You don't want to miss out!

Total Cost is: 425.00 and fundraisers may be available.

A signed Letter of Intent and deposit of $100 must be handed in no
later than January, 30, 2011 in order to reserve our group a spot.

All forms can be found in the back of church or can be emailed to you upon request.

For more information check out Encounter's Website,
 or email Joanna Moleski at:
St.AndrewsYM@gmail.com

Just a little Epiphany

Word: Epiphany

Definition: "an appearance or manifestation" or if you go to dictionary.com the first definition you will find is: "a Christian festival, observed on January 6, commemorating the manifestation of Christ to thegentiles in the persons of the Magi; Twelfth-day." Who would've thought that even dictionary.com would know the true meaning behind  celebrating "Epiphany"? I was certainly a little surprised. 

Anyway, as a little girl Epiphany was simply a day that meant we could FINALLY take our Christmas tree down and put it out to be collected by the trash men just like everyone else already had...days before. I didn't understand why Christmas ended for everyone else and kept going to those of us that lived in my house. Now that I'm older and wiser (ha!) I find myself wanting to take in every minute of the 12 days of Christmas that we as Catholics set aside to celebrate the coming of our Savior as one of us. Epiphany over the last few years has been a sad day. I don't want Christmas to end. But this year is different. 

Why should I be sad that Advent is over if it means that Jesus was born and Christmas has begun?! Why should I be sad that the Christmas season is ending on Epiphany if it means that He has chosen to make Himself known to all people?! I got sad because once Epiphany comes it feels like it is all over...done..finished. No more "Joy to the worlds" or "Oh come all ye faithfuls" will be sung, the tree and lights and decorations will be taken down, and it will be over. SO. NOT. TRUE. My own little epiphany this year was that it is FAR from over at the end of this day. Jesus came as one of us. He came. He lived. For us. With us. He came...and He will come again! Our lives should be lived as a constant advent...with expectation, preparation of our hearts and waiting for Him to come again. And, like the Magi, we should be seeking Him out daily, willing to leave everything behind as He calls us closer to His heart. 

So this year let us not just move on to the next thing as we pack away our trees and nativity scenes, but instead, resolve to seek the Christ child and follow Him with hearts like the Magi...Oh, come, let us adore Him...