Pasta with the Pastor UPDATE

On Monday we learned how to make an authentic Italian meal! Fr. Reker walked us through the steps for Penne all' Arrabbiatta--which means "angry pasta". This dish earned its name from the red pepper flakes that are included in its recipe. Our meal included baked bread and a fresh salad. Dessert was neopolitan ice cream. The students raved about the wonderful meal and several promised to try this recipe for their families.

Thanks for the pasta, pastor!

Happy about Spring Break, but you've got NOTHING to do?

Join us at St. Francis of Assisi for the

Boredom Buster Week!

March 30th-April 3rd
There’s a different activity each day!
Join us once or come every day---it’s up to you!
(All events are open to youth ages 6th grade and up.)

Monday, March 30: Pasta with the Pastor 3-6 pm Social Room
Fr. Reker will teach us how to make an authentic Italian meal—then we’ll get to eat it! All ingredients and supplies will be provided. Take the recipe home and cook for your family! Maximum of 12 youth---get your spot today!

Tuesday, March 31: Goodwill at Goodwill 5:30-9:15 pm Social Room
Start off with dinner together in the church Social Room. After that, we’ll drive over to the brand new Goodwill South Superstore. We will help organize merchandise, assist customers, clean, and do whatever else they need from us! This is a great opportunity to serve an organization that benefits our community! An extra parent driver/chaperone would be appreciated—let me know if you can help! 289-2427
Maximum of 10 youth—get your spot today!

Learn more about what Goodwill does for the community.

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Wednesday, April 1: Photo Safari! Noon-5 pm Activity Room
Community Education Photography Instructor, Karen Davis, will guide us through a session of better picture taking! Karen has many years of experience taking photos and teaching photography classes. Part of our day will include a walk downtown to practice our photo skills. Cost: Bring cash to buy a snack downtown. (Lunch will not be provided.) Participants should bring their own cameras—digital, film, disposable, really old or brand new---bring any camera you can find! If you cannot bring a camera, just let us know and we can provide a camera for you! Parents can pick up their kids at 5 pm from the Activity Room. Maximum of 10 youth—get your spot today! *Weather permitting, we will do Photo Safari on Wednesday. If not, we will schedule Photo Safari for Thursday during the day and have the Gym Jam on Wednesday evening.


Thursday, April 2: Gym Jam 6-8:30 pm St. Francis of Assisi School Gym
Join us in the school gym for music, sports, games and snacks. We will have some organized games but also allow for “free time” at the end. This is a great way to get some exercise after a week of relaxation! Make sure to wear gym appropriate shoes and clothing. No limit for this activity—so bring your friends! *Weather permitting, we will do Photo Safari on Wednesday. If not, we will schedule Photo Safari for Thursday during the day and have the Gym Jam on Wednesday evening.

Friday, April 3: Movie Night 6-9:00 pm Activity Room
Join us in the activity Room with a fun night to end the week! We’ll have food, games, watch a movie and discuss how our Catholic faith influences our view of music, movies, and TV. Bring a sleeping bag/blanket for watching the movie. Maximum of 15 students—get your spot today!

SIGN UP FOR ANY/ALL BOREDOM BUSTER EVENTS HERE!

Sign Up Deadline for all Boredom Buster Week events is Sunday, March 29th.
There is one permission form for all activities. Students need to fill out a permission form if they attend only one event or all 5 events. See the kiosk in the church Gathering Space to pick up a permission form. Forms can also be picked up at the Parish Office Center. Parents can sign up online, call or email Carol Crawford to reserve a spot for their child for a certain event. However, registration is not complete until a signed permission form is turned in.
All forms are due Sunday, March 29th.

*There will be a waiting list for all activities that have a maximum number of participants. If a spot becomes available, youth on the waiting list will be notified.

Spring Break Activities

Spring Break!

Photography lessons, cooking class, games, a movie, service project---sounds like fun!

What are you doing for spring break? Join the St. Francis of Assisi youth group with a different activity each day!

Watch for more info!
Have an idea for a service project? Or maybe a suggestion for a youth group activity? Feel free to leave a comment on this post or simply email Carol at youthminister@stfrancis-church.org. Feedback from students and parents is always welcome!

March Bible Study--New Schedule

March Bible Study
New meeting schedule! Spots available!

Time moves so quickly. Slow down this Lent and take time to reflect on God's word. Journey with us! You may be surprised at what you find!

Join us through March as we follow the Lectionary and look ahead to each Sunday’s readings. Our group is open to any 6-8th grade student interested in learning more about the Bible, making new friends, enjoying a snack, and having a good time!

This is a great group for either Catholic School or public school students. We meet on Thursdays throughout March from 6pm-7:15 pm in the church Social Room. The last 15 minutes of our meeting is dedicated to enjoying snack and socializing!

Can’t make it to every session? No problem! Just contact Carol and let her know which sessions you’ll be able to attend! Friends are welcome, too!

March 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th from 6-7:15 pm in the Social Room (next to McCarthy Hall) in church basement.

Contact Carol today! 289-2427 or youthminister@stfrancis-church.org

OR Sign up online! Click Here.

Help Needed: Church Cleaning!

Your Church Needs YOU!
Our Annual Church Cleaning is scheduled for
Saturday, March 21 ~ 9 A.M. to Noon
Many people are needed . . .

Carol Crawford will be available to help and be responsible for any young people (ages 10+) who would like to help clean! We will work till noon, then head over to the Activity Room for lunch and games till 2 pm. Parents can pick up students from the Activity Room by 2 pm.

Sign up online! Click here.

Sign Up Deadline: Wednesday, March 18th.

2009 Lock In UPDATE

"Celebrate Life" Lock-In was a success!

Over 100 middle school students from all over Rochester (and beyond) gathered together for a night of fun on February 20th at St. Francis of Assisi Church. We started out with carnival games in the gym. For each game won the students earned tickets that would later be drawn for prizes!

We enjoyed pizza and then interacted with speaker/musician/youth minister Peter Bierer from Mankato, MN. After our session with Peter we went over to the RAC where there was a large variety of games and activities available: mini golf, DDR, basketball, raquetball, table tennis, etc. There were places to jump, climb, throw balls play air hockey, and on and on! There were so many options it was hard to enjoy EVRYTHING before it was time to head back to church.

There was another meal, a movie and service project after activities at the RAC. We included our theme of Celebrate Life by organizing and decorating "Birthday Boxes" for Channel One. Inside a "Birthday Box" a family would receive a cake mix, frosting, candles, prizes, and decorations. Students gathered all these items together and completed the project by nicely decorating the outside of each box.

Our night (or morning, at this point) ended with drawing tickets for prizes. Students won giftcards to Coldstone Creamery, Burger King, Culver's, Target, i-Tunes and more!

Thank you to all students, parents, and chaperones who helped make this year's lock-in such a success!

Join us for next year's event--it's sure not to disappoint!

St. Francis Softball Team

Softball, anyone?

St. Francis youth group is considering starting a youth softball team this summer. Here are some details:

1) For ages 15 years to graduating seniors

2) Co-ed (both young men and women can play)

3) 14 games May-August on Wednesday Nights

4) Friends are welcome to join the team

5) Cost will depend on number of players ($15-$40)

Is this something you and your friends would be interested in? We need your feedback! Leave a comment to this post (click on the "comments" link below) or cast your vote in our online survey (at the top, right of the blog)

Either way, let us know your thoughts!

Have a better idea for a summertime activity? Feel free to share that as well! Leave your comments on this post!

February Snow Tubing UPDATE

On February 14th the St. Francis youth group joined with Resurrection church for a night of snow tubing and fun! We took a bus from Resurrection Church to Ironwood Springs to enjoy snow tubing, chili and hot chocolate! (It was gooood!)

After that, we attended Mass at Resurrection Church and then ended the night with the movie "Cool Runnings" with assorted snacks and goodies!

We took almost 40 people all together and although the night was cold it was plenty of fun! (And yes, we did have snow! Ironwood Springs makes their own snow!)

Lifeline Feb. 7th UPDATE

What another GREAT trip to Lifeline. The mix of faith and fun can't be beat! Several students have commented, "I can't believe how much fun this is...I should have been going all year long!"

Lifeline trips occur every first Saturday of each month October-May. We board a bus from Holy Spirit Church with high school students from all over Rochester (and beyond!) We travel to the NET Center in West St. Paul where we enjoy live music, Mass, powerful speakers, snacks, dancing, and fun! Afterwards we stop at a local pizza place for a bite to eat before heading back to Rochester. We return to Holy Spirit Church by about Midnight.

Lifeline is a great way to experience lively, Catholic worship with other teens who are excited about and want to be encouraged in their faith. The experience of Catholic Community is amazing!

March 7th is our LAST trip to Lifeline this year. Popple will be putting on a concert and it is sure to be a good time!

If you haven't made it out to a Lifeline trip this year--I encourage you to join us next year. This is a great opportunity, once a month to have fun, be challenged and hang out with other Catholic teens. Join us!