Service with PossAbilities

On Tuesday, June 23rd we had our service project with a group from PossAbilities. We bought fabric then cut, measured, and tied them into wonderful blankets to be donated to the Ronald McDonald House!

Several students were already quite experienced in making fleece blankets and so the project took no time to finish! We had 9 young people, 5 from PossAbilities, 2 staff and 2 volunteers for a total of 18 people to complete 11 blankets!

We were grateful for the PossAbilities group who could join us---I think we all made a great team and plenty of fun was had by all!



Thank you to Tyler Crawford and his group from PossAbilities! Thanks also to Paula Wick who brought skills, tools, and ideas to make this a great event!

Running Start for School: Supplies Drive

Running Start for School Supplies Drive
July 24th-August 2nd

Do something meaningful this summer!
Now, more than ever, families will need help purchasing the necessary school supplies for their children. But you can make a difference. Join the rest of the St. Francis of Assisi Youth Group and the Running Start for School program. We will donate school supplies and those supplies will be donated to families in our community. For more information, please visit the United Way website.


Then, we'll celebrate!
We’ll celebrate at the end of the drive with a party. One lucky student will win a free ticket for our Valley Fair trip on August 24th! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to benefit families in YOUR COMMUNITY.

How do I participate?
You can help by bringing in school supplies and encouraging others to do the same! Two bins will be placed in the church Gathering Space. If you are entering grades 6-8 then you will donate (and encourage others) to the middle school team. If you are entering grades 9-12 then you want to donate (and encourage others to donate) to the high school team. All items can be dropped off in the marked bins in the Gathering Space at church. Be sure to put your items in the right bin! Items will be collected on a regular basis and the scores will be updated.

Why should I get others to donate?
Because you want your team to win! Middle School students will battle High School students to see who can raise the most donations. The winning team will celebrate with a party at the end of the drive. The winning team will also have all participants names entered into a drawing for a free ticket to Valley Fair for our trip on August 24th! To be an official participant you must have items donated with your name placed in the bin. Others can donate on your behalf, just have them mark (in some way) that the items are on your behalf! You also should be present at the celebration party to claim your ticket if you win!

Want to do more?
Student leadership help is needed! Create posters or make fliers encouraging people to donate to this good cause. Maybe you’d like to help plan the celebration party at the end. All help is welcome—just talk to Carol! Those in the Confirmation program can take a leadership role in this event to count towards the service expectations for Confirmation Preparation.

Running Start for School: Supplies Wish List

Backpack - no wheels
Binder with zipper
Colored pencils - 12 count box non-short
Eraser - block
Folder - two pocket
Glue - 4 ounce washable bottle
Glue stick - .21 ounce washable
Highlighter - variety of colors
Markers (thick washable) - 10 count box
Markers (thin washable) - 10 count box
Pen - Red
Pencil box - 8” x 5”
Pencil pouch - fits 3-ringed binder
Pencil sharpener - covered
Pencils - #2
Pens - blue OR black
Ruler (inches and centimeters) - 12 inch
Scissors - kids blunt tip
Scissors - kids pointed tip
Spiral notebook - 70 sheets wide-lined
Spiral notebook - 70 sheets college ruled
Paper - wide lined - 150 count loose leaf
Paper - college ruled - 150 count loose leaf

Cityscapes Photo Safari

Thursday, July 9th

Noon-5 pm

We’ll meet at St. Francis of Assisi church. Karen will lead us to the Civic Center, by the river, and to the edge of downtown on our Safari! We’ll “hunt” for some great shots focusing on shapes and shadows in our photos. Karen will teach along the way. Kids will get individual attention as well as help with how to better use their cameras! Take pictures like never before! Join us for the fun

What should I bring?
-$$ for snack at Roscoe's
· Your own camera (digital, film, disposable...whatever!)
· Fully charged battery and empty memory card! (Or extra batteries if not rechargeable)
· Good walking shoes
· Comfortable clothes you can move around in. Also watch for the weather forcasts. Bring layers and you can leave any "extras" at church before we leave. Also consider bugspray, sunblock, bag or backpack, etc.)
· Nothing extra you won’t want to carry for yourself! (Remember, we'll be outside and walking for several hours!)

How do I sign up?
Grab a permission form from the arish center office or Gathering Space kiosk. All forms are due
Tuesday, July 7th. Because of the nature of this activity, participation is limited to 12 students. Sign up today and reserve your spot! All students entering grades 6-12 are welcome!

Welcome Event UPDATE

We held our first annual Welcome Event on Friday, June 19th! Our "new" youth group members got to learn a little bit about why we gather as a youth group, what type of activities we do and what they can look forward to.



This event was also lead by our Middle School Youth Council. The youth council has been meeting and sharing ideas, games, and activities to create a fun event for the 6th graders. The youth council was responsible for preparation and decoration and they also shared what they liked most about youth group and what events they can't wait for this year!



Fun was had by all as we enjoyed icebreaker games, pizza, foosball, music, "townball," and getting to know new friends!



Thank you to the youth council for all your work in preparing and decorating for this event. Thanks also to Pam Severson and Jose Luis for volunteering your time as well as all the others who stayed to help clean up!

I look forward to seeing all of you lots this summer!

Summer Schedule

June
June 10 City Wide Valley Fair trip (contact Resurrection Church at 288-5528 to sign up)
June 14 Youth Council Meeting
June 19 5th Grade Welcome Event
June 20 Rochesterfest Sandblast Competition
June 23 Service: Fleece Blankets with PossAbilities
June 28 Believe! A Catholic Youth and Family Day (call 522-3016 to get tickets)

July
July Begin “Running Start for School” school supplies drive
July 9 Photo Safari
July 17-19 Steubenville Catholic Youth Conference (Grades 9-12)
July 27 Movie Night
July 31 Service: Church Grounds work with Water Wars and Cookout

August
Aug 2 Service: Ronald McDonald House Dinner
Aug 5 Iron Chef Competition
Aug 10 Movie Night
Aug 16 Church Picnic
Aug 21 Nighttime Photo Safari
Aug 24 Valley Fair Trip
Aug 30 City Wide Trip to Twins Game (Hosted by Pax Christi)

June Service Project

Learn how to make fleece blankets for Ronald McDonald House!
Join us Tuesday, June 23rd from 4:00-6:00 pm to make fleece blankets to donate to families at the Ronald McDonald House! Whether you've made a blanket before or have no idea how to start--we'd love to have you! Making a blanket for someone is an easy and fun act of service. We’ll also be joined by a group of young adults with developmental disabilities from PossAbilities! These young adults will create blankets along with us and then we'll spend a little time getting to know one another!

This event will be a great learning experience for all. It will be a fun, stress free event that will benfit others in our community!

Open to all youth entering grades 6-12. To sign up, grab a permission form from the kiosk in the Gathering Space or from the Parish Center Office. Bring your own fleece to make a blanket or bring $5 to help buy the materials. Permission forms can be picked up in the Gathering Space kiosk or in the Parish Center Office. All forms are due by Friday, June 19th in the Parish Center Office.

Quo Vadis Days SCHOLARSHIPS

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE!

Any young men interested in attending Quo Vadis days---here's your chance!
Scholarships have been made available for any young men from St. Francis of Assisi Parish. Take this opportunity to attend Quo Vadis days through this scholarship which covers the entire $30 cost! Contact Carol Crawford to take advantage of this GREAT offer! Remember, deadline for registration is June 9th!


Entering Grades 6-8
June 22-24

Entering Grades 9-12
June 25th-27th

Quo Vadis Days has allowed young men to spend time hearing the vocation stories of priest’s of the diocese, praying, and enjoying fun with their peers. This time has also allowed these young men to focus on the call of Jesus Christ to their vocation, while learning more about the priesthood and the life of a diocesan priest.

The dates for Quo Vadis Days 2009 are June 22-27. Session I for young men entering the 6th-8th grades in the Fall of 2009 will be held June 22-24. Session II for young men entering the 9th-12th grades in the Fall of 2009 will be held June 25-27. Session II will focus more intentionally on the vocation of priesthood and prayer, while including the usual recreational activities that have been a part of Quo Vadis Days from the beginning.

To sign up, please visit the following link and fill out a registration form by June 9th.
http://www.dow.org/QuoVadis.htm