I hope you’re enjoying some healthy (and holy!) fun on this May long weekend.  I wanted to let you know the details of all we have planned in the coming week of youth ministry at Holy Trinity:

1.  On Sunday, May 20th, we kick-off our “Sundays all Summer” youth ministry with an afternoon of bowling and pizza at West Edmonton Mall.  Anyone grade 7-12 is welcome to join us (taking the place of both our LIFE TEEN and EDGE groups), and the bus leaves from the parking lot at Holy Trinity at 2pm, returning for the 6pm Mass.  Get your form at http://www.htyouth.ws/summer and we’ll see you then!

2.  On Tuesday, May 22nd, the Challenge Girls Club has a meeting preparing for the K4J carnival at 6:45pm in the hall at HT.  The Conquest Boys Club has their final meeting of the year at 7pm at John Paul II School.  (Conquest is also headed on retreat to Camp Encounter this weekend- see below!)

3.  On Thursday, May 24th, our youth Holy Hour is from 4-5pm in the Chapel at HT.  Youth choir practices at 5:30pm, and the Sundays All Summer Core team will have their first meeting in the board room at 7pm.  (If you’re interested, e-mail Gillian at youth@trinitycatholic.net.  We need teens and adults to help make this summer spectacular!)

4.  On Friday, May 25-Saturday, May 26, the Conquest Boys Club has their year end retreat for dads & boys at Camp Encounter.  The bus departs from Holy Trinity at 6pm, returning on Saturday in time for the 5pm Mass.  If you haven’t registered yet and want to take part, get a form at http://www.htyouth.ws/conquest.

5.  On Sunday, May 27th, Sundays all Summer (all youth, grade 7-12) continues with a DANCE.  The cost to get in is $10, which includes the dance and refreshments.  We’ll start about 10 minutes after Mass on Sunday night (likely by 7:15pm or so) – dress up and get your dancing shoes on!

As always, know that you remain in our prayers, and as the school year winds down, know that the summer is going to be FULL of fantastic thigns you can do here at Holy Trinity on Sunday nights as well as at a variety of summer camps floating around the area – Our Lady of Victory Camp (http://www.olvc.ab.ca) & Camp Encounter (http://www.campencounter.com), Camp Arcatheos (http://www.arcatheos.com/), Camp Captevania (http://www.captivenia.com/), and the Ignite Camp meant to help you grow in your faith (http://www.f2f.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54&Itemid=74).  All of these are a worthwhile place you can spend a week deepening your relationship with Christ- and having an amazing experience while doing it.

Yours in Him,

Mike Landry, youth minister

I have to apologize for not sending out an e-mail last week… I had a full mouth plate of things on the go- including a fantastic weekend LIFE TEEN retreat at Camp Encounter with 39 amazing teens.  I want to bring you up to speed on what’s going on the next few weeks as we wind down our regular youth ministry groups and kick into our summer programming.

-Thursday, May 10th:  Our Last EDGE Night (youth grades 7-8) is the EDGE OLYMPICS, a night with great food, games (including several with copious amounts of duct tape), and the winning team goes home with iTunes gift cards. Come on out for our last – and one of our best EDGE nights of the year from 7-8:30pm in the parish hall.  (Also, our usual Holy Hour is 4pm, choir is at 5:30pm, and the LIFE TEEN Core meets at 7pm.)

-Saturday May 12th & Sunday May 13th: Each year we sell roses to support the Edmonton Pregnancy Crisis Center after all the Masses on Mother’s Day weekend.  If you’re around at any of the Masses on the weekend, drop me an e-mail because I could use your help!  We need 2-3 people at each Mass to help facilitate sales.

-Sunday, May 13th:  XLT returns! Our Monthly evening of worship & adoration will take place on Sunday night from 7:30-9pm (following the 6pm Mass.)  Seminarian Kris Schmidt (a former LIFE TEEN core member from St. Albert) will share the ways in which God called him to discern the priesthood- and ways we can seek out God’s will for our own lives.  All are welcome in the main Church this Sunday night.

-Tuesday, May 15th:  Challenge (girls, grades 5-8) have their wind-up BBQ at 6pm at Dog Rump Creek (RSVP to Gillian, youth@trinitycatholic.net) and Conquest (boys, grades 5-8) will have their regular meeting at John Paul II School.  [Boys note: please let Mike know whether you or your Dads are coming on our year-end retreat May 25-26, 2012.]

-Thursday, May 17th:  Holy Hour at 4pm, Youth Choir at 5:30pm, and the LIFE TEEN/EDGE core teams for the last time from 7-8:30pm.

-Thursday, May 20th:  SUNDAYS ALL SUMMER - our summer programming for grade 7-12 students begins with an afternoon of bowling at Ed’s Rec room.  We leave from Holy Trinity at 2pm and return in time for the 6pm Mass (done everything by 7pm.)  Get a permission form – and read about some of what’s coming up this summer at http://www.htyouth.ws/summer.

Hopefully this gets you up to speed- we hope to see you at some of these wonderful and exciting events as we wind down this part of the year and get the next part started!

Yours in Christ,
Mike (& Gillian), your youth ministers

Peace, y’all!

May is nearly upon us, and at some point everything will turn green around us, and we’ll see how summer break is only 9 weeks away.  But for know, you’ll need to be warmed by all the great and exciting events coming up in youth ministry over the next few weeks.

TOMORROW, Saturday, April 28th, is our annual confirmation retreat, for some incredible grade 6 students from 10-5pm.  I could still use a couple more people to help out for the day, helping them candidates with their crafts, setting up, cleaning up, playing games… it’s a great way to spend a Saturday.

Tomorrow night, the Conquest boys will be doing a Wake-a-thon from 8pm-8am in support of our seminarian, Bob Lee- you can sponsor him if you like as well (just drop me an e-mail and let me know!)

On Sunday, April 29th, LIFE TEEN welcomes back Deacon Miguel Irizar as we wrap up our semester on morality with a LIFE Night called “Happy Days” on the beatitudes.  We’ll play sockball and learn the keys to the good life.  Anyone grade 9-12 welcome!

On Tuesday, May 1st Challenge (girls grades 5-8) and Conquest (Boys grades 5-8) will both be meeting a the Church at their usual times, 6:45pm and 7pm respectively.  The girls will be in the hall and the boys in Our Ladies’ Room.  [CONQUEST BOYS NOTE THE LOCATION CHANGE FOR THIS WEEK ONLY!]

***Gillian Engstrom-Miller starts full-time as youth minister with me on Tuesday as well… WOOHOO!

On Thursday, May 3rd, we have our weekly Holy hour from 4-5pm (Jesus and I would love to see you there sometime), choir practice at 5:30pm, and both the LIFE TEEN and EDGE core teams meet from 7-8:30pm.

On Friday, May 4-Sunday, May 6th, LIFE TEEN (grades 9-12) are headed to Camp Encounter for our Spring Retreat “Fire and Ice.”  Check out http://www.htyouth.ws/lifeteen for the details you need to know to take part.  20 people are already registered, and forms are due on Monday, April 30th- and we’ve still got room for you.  [Note that there will be no LIFE Night on May 6th!]

That brings you up to speed on the happenings of this week.  I will be praying for you throughout- let me know if you have any particular intentions or needs…

In Him,
Mike Landry, youth minister

Well here we are in the tail end of April, and we’ve got a few things to bring to your attention this week.  We’re sending this e-mail out early because the Challenge retreat for this weekend has been CANCELLED due to low registration - if you paid ahead of time, Gillian will be in touch to talk refund with you.

On the flip side, here’s what’s coming up in the coming week:

-Sunday, April 22nd: LIFE TEEN (youth grades 9-12) is back with an action packed LIFE Night NEWS FEED.  We’ll begin with a game called “Newspaper Ninjas,” and then move on with some reflection on the ways in which the media we read, watch, surf, and interact with affects our relationship with God.  Hope to see you here from 6-9pm for Mass and a LIFE Night!

-Tuesday, April 24th: the Challenge & Conquest leaders have a meeting at 6:45pm in the parish Library.  (Which means no club meetings this week, although the Conquest Wake-a-thon will be taking place starting at 8pm on Saturday night here at the parish.  Please support us as we help out our seminarian – and former leader – Bob Lee!)

-Thursday, April 26th: Our usual full slate of Thursday activities: youth Holy Hour from 4-5pm (COME PRAY WITH US!), youth choir at 5:30pm, and LIFE TEEN core from 7-8:30pm.  ALSO, thursday at 7pm will be another lively and action-packed EDGE night for youth grades 7-8, looking at the value of family (and some thoughts on to work through some of the Challenges that come from being in a family.)  Hope to see you here- and bring a friend!

-Friday, April 27th: this is an important day, because it’s Gillian’s last day of student teaching- she’ll be done her degree… so pray for her as she comes to the end of this journey.  Our parish team is very excited to have Gill come on board full-time starting on May 1st…

Finally, anyone who might be looking for community service hours, Mike needs help on Saturday, April 28th, with the Confirmation retreat.  Reply to this e-mail (it’ll get to Mike) if you’ve got time that Saturday to get involved.

Your remain always in our prayers!

Yours in Christ,

Mike (and Gillian), Holy Trinity Parish’s Youth Ministers

Alleluia!  He is Risen!

As we enter the 2nd week of Easter – our second week of celebrating the resurrection of Christ, here’s the update of the things we’ll be doing this week:

-Sunday, April 15th: LIFE TEEN (grades 9-12) is off to West Edmonton Mall for a Mall Scavenger Hunt.  We leave Holy Trinity by bus at 2pm and return in time for Mass (we’ll be done around 7pm.)   Permission form is available at http://www.htyouth.ws/lifeteen

-Tuesday, April 17th: Challenge Girls Club (grade 5-8) meets in the hall at Holy Trinity from 6:45-8:15 and Conquest Boys Club (grade 5-8) meets at John Paul II School from 7-8:30pm.

-Wednesday, April 18th: PARENT MEETING At 7pm we’re inviting all the parents involved in youth ministry to join us for a meeting with both Mike & Gillian to discuss the future of youth ministry, how they can get involved, and policies that will be in place to ensure the safety of youth involved in our ministry.  Please join us!

-Thursday, April 19th: Our weekly Holy hour at 4pm, youth choir practices at 5:30pm, and the LIFE TEEN & EDGE Core teams meet from 7-8:30pm.

-Friday, April 20-Saturday April 21: Challenge Girls “Amazing G(Race)” retreat for mothers and daughters.  Read all about it – and get the permission form at http://www.htyouth.ws/challenge to find out how to take part.

We hope to see you at these events- check out our youth website, http://www.htyouth.ws for information on these events and others – including our LIFE TEEN retreat May 4-6, and Conquest retreat May 24-25th.  We’ve got lots still to come over the last 2 1/2 months of this ministry year – we hope to see you here!

In Christ,
Mike Landry
youth minister

Peace!

I’m a day early on this e-mail, because I want you to know EVERYTHING before the most important celebration of our faith comes into play this weekend – the Easter Triduum.  Here’s the Mass schedule for Holy Trinity:

-Holy Thursday (Mass of the Lord’s Supper) 7pm

-Good Friday Services: 12pm & 3pm

-Easter Vigil (Holy Saturday, April 7) 10pm [Go if you can!  This is an amazing liturgy!]

-Easter Sunday Masses: 9 & 11am at Holy Trinity (and 11am as well at St. Thomas Aquinas High School on Grove Drive)

That being said, here’s the outline of what’s coming up this week:

-Sunday night, there is no LIFE TEEN (because it’s holy week.)  Next week, we’re off to West Edmonton Mall for a Scavenger Hunt (2-6pm).  Form & details – as well as info on our spring retreat May 4-6 – are available at www.htyouth.ws/lifeteen.

-Tuesday night: Challenge & Conquest meet, the girls at the Church (6:45pm) and the boys at John Paul II School (7pm.)  Both are having movie nights!  Check out www.htyouth.ws/challenge and www.htyouth.ws/conquest for exciting upcoming events INCLUDING retreats for Challenge (April 20-21) and Conquest (May 25-26).

(I should note that the Conquest boys are planning a wake-a-thon for the evening of April 28th, 8pm-8am here in the parish hall.  Funds raised will go to support the seminarian from our parish – and former Conquest leader – Bob Lee.  Forms are available on the Conquest page.)

-Thursday, as usual, is a busy day.  EDGE has a meeting from 7-8:30 with a series of crazy and mind-growing games for anyone grade 7-8.  LIFE TEEN core meets, the choir practices, and we have our holy hour from 4-5pm in the chapel.  Read the schedule of their last few events at http://www.htyouth.ws/theedge.

ALSO… we’re hosting a parent meeting for all parents who’d like to know more about our plans for the future of youth ministry – and how they can help – on Wednesday night, April 18th at 7pm in St. Joseph’s room.  If you’re a parent, please come.  If you’re a teen, please tell your parents to come!

Yours in Christ,

Mike & Gillian – your youth ministers.

• Sunday, April 1st- LIFE TEEN (grades 9-12) is all about the Cross.  “Come Walk” will include hot cross buns, a game called criss/cross/crash, and a living way of the cross.
• Tuesday, April 3rd: Challenge (girls grades 5-12) meets at 6:45pm at the Church and Conquest (boys, grades 5-12) meets at John Paul II School.
• Thursday, April 5th: It’s Holy Thursday!  So there is no CORE meetings or Holy Hour, but our Holy Thursday Mass will be in the Church at 7pm.
• Friday, April 6th: Good Friday Services are 12pm & 3pm.
• Saturday, April 7th: The Easter Vigil (the most amazing liturgy of the year!) begins at 10pm in the Church at Holy Trinity.  (No 5pm Mass.)
• Sunday, April 8th: Easter Sunday Masses at Holy Trinity 9am & 11am, as well as in the gym at St. Thomas Aquinas High School at 11am (NO 6pm Mass, though.)

A couple other important things of note: there will be no XLT on Friday, April 13th, as Cardinal Collins will be visiting Edmonton that weekend.  Check the bulletin for updates.

We’re hosting a parent meeting on Wednesday, April 18th, at 7pm in St. Joseph’s room.  We’ll talk about policies meant to keep us all safe, as well as plans for the coming year of youth ministry (and where help is needed.)

Our website http://www.htyouth.ws has been updated with calendars and permission forms for all groups through the end of June.  If you’re looking for dates or details about anything, you can find it there.

I am praying for all of you, as we prepare to enter into the great mystery of our fatih- Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection.  Remember, He did it because He loves you.

Yours in Christ,

Mike Landry

Youth minister

Hey guys!

It’s that time again- time for a week off from school.  Well, we’ll still be hard at work here around Holy Trinity, so we hope to see you at some of what’s going on:

-Sunday, March 25th: At LIFE TEEN (grades 9-12), we’re hosting a LIFE Night called “Legit Defense.”  We’re going to talk about the value of human life and the death penalty, with very special guest Detective Brian Kinahan from the Edmonton Police Service.  Join us for Mass at 6pm, and the LIFE Night until 9pm.  We’re also getting ready for our LIFE TEEN retreat, April 20-22, 2012 – http:/www.htyouth.ws/lifeteen.  Don’t miss out on this one!

-On Tuesday, March 27th: Challenge (girls, grades 5-8) and Conquest (guys, grades 5-8) take a week off for a leaders meeting.

-On Thursday, March 29th: We’ll have our weekly Holy Hour from 4-5pm (come pray with me!), choir practice from 5:30-6:15pm, and the EDGE/LIFE TEEN core teams meet at 7pm to plan some amazing stuff for April.

Hope you have a relaxing week- don’t forget that God doesn’t take the week off, so take some of your extra time to pray in preparation for Holy Week (which starts April 1 with Palm Sunday!)

In Him,

Mike

I can’t believe it’s already here!  TOMORROW, March 17th, is the 10th incarnation of the Holy Trinity Parish Youth Conference/Rally, “Dare You to Move,” with Fr. John Gerth, Anaphora, and (it looks like) 180 other amazing people for a fun and faith-filled day meant to get you pumped up about your faith.  We hope you can join us- you can even walk in to register, but bring a form from http://www.htyouth.ws/youthconference.

After Saturday, here’s the rest of the week:

-Sunday, March 18th: LIFE TEEN takes a night off after the youth rally.  We’ll be excited, but exhausted.  We are, however, already making preparations for our Spring retreat, FIRE AND ICE – check out http://www.htyouth.ws/lifeteen to read more about what we’ll be doing April 20-22.

-Tuesday, March 20th: We will have our regular Challenge and Conquest (grade 5-8) meetings.  Challenge meets in the parish hall from 6:45-8:15, and Conquest meets at John Paul II School from 7-8:30pm.

-On Thursday, March 22,  our EDGE group (grade 7-8) will be having an EDGE night called “LIFE IS WONDERFUL.”  We’ll give you a good look at some of the big life issues in todays world: abortion, the death penalty, and euthanasia, to name a few- and encourage you to recognize how “a person’s a person, no matter how small.”  Join us from from 7-8:30pm.  There will also be a youth ministry Holy Hour in the Chapel – you can e-mail, facebook, tweet, or call in intentions- or better yet, join me from 4-5pm in the Chapel.  Choir practices from 5:30-6:15pm, and the LIFE TEEN core has a meeting.

Peace!  Here’s what’s coming up in the world of youth ministry over the next week or so:

• 8 DAYS TO GO! That’s right, only 8 days until our BIGGEST (and one of our BEST) events of the year for youth grade 7-12, the Holy Trinity Parish Youth conference (rally.)  For 10 years, we’ve hosted nearly 200 youth for this annual event.  Fr. John Gerth (LIFETEEN.com’s Fr. J) headlines what is sure to be one of our best ever.  Read all about it and get your registration form for the March 17th event at http://www.htyouth.ws/youthconference.
• On Sunday, March 11, LIFE TEEN (grades 9-12) presents part II of our series on the Church & sexuality, Gifted, where we’ll both answer your honest questions about love, marriage, God’s plan for your life, how far is too far, and why you’re worth the wait… AND we’ll give you some insight into the sometimes confusing mind of people of the opposite gender.  Join us after the 6pm Mass on Sunday night!
• On Tuesday, March 13th, Conquest (boys, grades 5-8) is heading to St. Joseph’s Seminary.  We’ll take the bus from the parking lot at JPII school at 5:30pm and return by 9pm.  Forms are available at http://www.htyouth.ws/conquest.  Challenge (girls, grade 5-8) will be meeting in the parish hall from 6:45-8:15pm to learn more about (and to make your own) Rosary.
• On Thursday, March 15th, the LIFE TEEN & EDGE core meetings are cancelled, but there will be a Holy Hour from 4-5pm and youth choir practice at 5:30pm in the Church.
• (Friday night, March 16th, we’ll have the youth conference all setup in the hall for you…, and Saturday, March 16, 10am-9pm, is our annual youth conference, as mentioned above.)

Please pray for us… as we’re ALWAYS praying for you.

Yours in Christ,

Mike (the youth minister guy) & Gillian