Youth Formation

Operation Parent Wake Up and Smell the Coffee Series

What: Teen Suicide Prevention
When: Thursday, September 22, 2011
Time: 10:00 AM -12noon and again 6:30 PM – 8: PM
Where: Operation: PARENT Headquarters, 13029 Middletown Industrial Blvd, Louisville, KY 40223
Fee: $10 per person

Teen suicide is now being called “The Silent Epidemic”. When asked “Have you made a plan to commit suicide in the past 12 months?” a staggering 10.9% of our youth answer “yes”. Parents, we can’t afford to assume our kids would never consider taking their own life.

Epiphany’s Confirmation Class recently volunteered at Supplies Overseas as part of their journey towards Confirmation. Learning how to live their faith by putting it into action is a large part of Confirmation. The Candidates not only do this through their everyday actions, but through group service projects where they are serving God and God’s people.

Dare to Care distributes over 14 million pounds of food each year to residents of Louisville and the surrounding areas. They run the Kid’s Café which gives the children of Louisville a hot meal 5 days a week. They also run the Backpack Buddy program which gives all the meals children need from Friday after they leave school until Monday when they return. Dare to Care receives their food from lots of different companies and private donations such as from the donation bins at every Kroger location.

Epiphany’s Confirmation Class recently volunteered at Supplies Overseas as part of their journey towards Confirmation. Learning how to live their faith by putting it into action is a large part of Confirmation. The Candidates not only do this through their everyday actions, but through group service projects where they are serving God and God’s people.

“Supplies Overseas" (SOS) is a humanitarian aid organization that recycles life-saving medical supplies and equipment to the neediest communities worldwide. Since its inception in 1994, SOS has shipped over 600 tons of supplies and provided life-saving aid to over 89 countries.”

The Confirmation Class 2010 is entering the final stages of preparation to receive Confirmation on May 22, 2010. They recently attending a weekend long retreat at Kavanaugh Life Enrichment Center on February 19-21. While on retreat, the Candidates furthered their understanding of Confirmation, preparing for the life long journey of putting their faith into action, by learning about what it means to be called by name, the importance of service, the formation of community, and receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Please continue to pray for the Confirmation Class as they work towards their Confirmation and full adult initiation into the Church.

This past November, 4 seniors from the Senior High Youth Group attended the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) in Kansas City, MO. Over 22,000 youth from across the nation attended the Conference. The Archdiocese of Louisville sent almost 300 youth to the Conference. Annie Golemboski, Kelly Brand, Matt Welding, and Michael Gruber were the Epiphany members who attended.

NCYC was a weekend full of music, prayer, and spiritual growth. There were many musicians at the Conference who lead praise and worship services with over 20,000 youth assembled in the Sprint Center jumping up and down, dancing, and praying through song. NCYC also had numerous different sessions on various topics for personal growth including chastity, discernment, and putting faith into action. The theme of the weekend was Christ Reigns. The focus was to enlighten the youth about how Christ reigns in their own lives and how they could bring the reign of Christ to others. Annie, Kelly, Matt, and Michael all enjoyed NCYC and came back from it re-energized in their faith. Matt and Kelly both wrote reflections they wish to share with you: