Big things are happening with Youth Ministry! Religious Education is up and going strong, as well as Encounter (our 9th grade class about social justice) and Confirmation classes. It has been amazing getting to work with the youth, as well as parents and volunteers. We have also had three youth ministry events for people to attend, and I am excited to see how future events will continue to bring people together as a community in Christ. National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) prep is in full swing, as we are leaving in less than a month! The youth that are involved have been meeting for updates and for bonding, as we tie dyed our own St. Pius shirts for the conference. Please pray for our NCYC participants and chaperones as we prepare for this exciting and faith-filled experience so we can grow in our relationship with Jesus as well as have a safe trip there and back!
 
We also registered for Catholic Heart Workcamp, which is a summer mission trip for students entering 9th-12th grade (2024-2025 school year). This will be June 16-22, 2024 and we will be going to Montague, Michigan. This trip is full of prayer, service, and community, where participants can grow in their faith, get to know other Catholic youth from around the country, as well as get to serve in a new place. We will be traveling as one big Cedar Rapids youth group, so if you know someone who would be interested in going, they are welcome to join! If you would like to know more about the trip or sign up, please contact me at [email protected].