BE SURE TO SEE ALL OF THE ANNOUNCEMENTS AND ADOPT-A-FAMILY.

DON'T FORGET THE REMINDERS AND LOOKING FORWARD SECTIONS.

AND PLEASE SHARE THE INFO WITH YOUR YOUTH AND TEENS!

The coordinators of the Christmas Pageant have asked that our Youth and Teens participate as singers in the Choir.

The choir will sing as a group; no solos.

Having our Youth & Teens participate would not only be a lovely addition, but also a wonderful example and inspiration for the younger participants.

Youth in the EDGE class who bring their completed Scripture Search to class by Dec. 17th will receive a PRIZE!

Anyone who still needs a Scripture Search can get one in class this Sunday, Dec. 3rd., or can print one at home from the PDF linked below.

Youth are welcome to borrow a Bible from the Youth Room if needed.

The High School Youth Group is honored to help bring a joyous Christmas to a family in need through the Helping Alaska Adopt-A-Family program!

Please see the tree in the Atrium, choose an ornament, and return gifts (wrapped with the ornament attached) to under the tree by Dec. 17th.

Many thanks from the teens for your generosity and assistance to provide gifts and necessities for our Adopted Family!

Youth & Teens are asked to assist in decorating the Chapel after the noon mass on Christmas Eve at 1:30pm.

This is great opportunity for our Youth, and it would be very special for all of St. Nick's to see them joining and supporting our parish as we prepare for Christmas!

If able to assist, please see Beth or Deacon Ron.

See in the video below how St. Nick's Youth & Teens came together last Friday night to make ornaments and decorate trees for our Adopted Family!

They started an assembly line to color, cut out, and add ribbons to all of the ornaments that had the family's wish list items printed on the back.

They also thought of gift ideas that the family had not requested, and wrote those onto the backs of ornaments printed with designs.

While working diligently (for 3 hours!), they also enjoyed pizza, music, and lots of laughs together. A couple even snuggled in on a couch to watch a movie while they worked.

It was such a good time that we voted to make it a regular event! Stay tuned for more information!

Special thanks to Betsy, Shannon, Robert, and Clay for assisting the Youth Group!

Due to techinical difficulties we were unable to complete the second half of our 4th session, and instead began the first half of the 5th session of Symbolon, Who Is Jesus. We will also began Advent together with an activity of HOPE!

We began by giving thanks to God for bringing us together as we prepare ourselves this Advent, and asking Him to offer healing and be with Miss Elizabeth during her absence.

We then congratulated Bentley as he chose a prize for completing his Scripture Search activity. Everyone who completes the Scripture Search and brings it back to class by Dec. 17th will receive a PRIZE! (see above in the ANNOUNCEMENTS section)

We then began the 5th session of Symbolon, Who Is Jesus? We viewed the videos and discussed how Jesus was a teacher, and that while He was judged and persecuted for saying He was the Savior, we know He is who He says that He is and that Jesus must be Lord.

Next we watched the second video below to learn more about the meaning and history of Advent. We talked about why we use the season of Advent to prepare ourselves for the second coming of God and the anniversary of Jesus' birth.

With it being the first Sunday of Advent, we moved to the Social Hall to make our own Advent Wreaths in the HOPE that they will help the Youth to remember take time to pray and prepare each day of Advent.

Special thanks to Clay & Avery for assisting the EDGE class!

We will begin the second half to complete the 4th session of Symbolon, The Story of Salvation.

We will also work on a service project of LOVE!

We will have the Scripture Search available for those who did not receive one last week.

Youth are welcome to borrow a Bible from the Youth Room if needed.

TO ACCESS FORMED:

1) Go to formed.org/signup

2) Enter our Zip Code, 99705

3) Enter your Name and Email Address

4) Check the email account entered and follow link.

We began with discussing how the Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and to the anniversary of Our Lord’s birth on Christmas. Because it was the first day of the new Liturgical year in the Church AND the first Sunday in Advent, we took a virtual spiritual pilgrimage with the short movie Adventus (linked below).

We then talked about the different locations from the Holy Land that were featured in the movie which led to a wonderful discussion between the Teens, myself, and Father Welcome. They asked many questions and were able to share what they knew, but also expand on that knowledge by learning more (that had been previously unknown or misunderstood by some) through answers to their questions.

Then, just as EDGE had done earlier, we watched the video about the meaning and history of Advent and moved to the Social Hall for the Teens to make their own Advent Wreaths as their activity of HOPE. You can see in the photos and videos below that in addition to all of the paper and glue, there were a lot of smiles and shenanigans, too!

Because they have a Q&A next week, they also had the opportunity to participate in a service project of LOVE for the second Sunday in Advent. They wrote messages and signed cards that Deacon Ron will deliver on behalf of the HSYG to the Elderly and Homebound of our Diocese.

Special thanks to Shannon and Father Welcome for joining to assist our HSYG!

Teens will have their first Round Table Discussion!

And, they will finally learn the identity of our SURPRISE guest speaker!

Next class will be this Sunday Dec. 10th, 1:30-3pm in the Youth Room.

It is mandatory for both the Catholic parent and candidate to attend the sessions.

***see ANNOUNCEMENTS section above for service hour opportunities***

For all Children and Youth (ages 5-17) from all parishes.

Every Saturday at Sacred Heart Cathedral from 1pm-2:45pm.

No Oratory Dec. 23rd & 30th for Christmas Break.

Due to a scheduling conflict, the HSYG will need to adjust our regular meeting time.

Dec. 17th only, the HSYG will meet from 2-4pm.

More info coming soon with party details!

December 17th will be our last day of EDGE & HSYG for 2023.

There will be NO EDGE or HSYG December 24th & 31st.

We will resume January 7th, 2024!

Beginning in January, on the First Friday of each month the Youth will be invited to complete a service project and enjoy the evening together.

More information coming soon!

Per the Diocese policy for the safety of everyone, a minimum of 2 adults are required to be present for all Youth Ministry activities.

Ideally we would have at least 4-6 volunteers (preferably more), allowing for at least 1 assistant present for the HSYG one Sunday per month. We are also still in need of at least 1 more assistant for the EDGE class.

While the search to locate others who have current certification with the Diocese is ongoing, we have reached a point where we need to request that parents assist on a rotating basis so that we can continue to safely offer HSYG.

Please consider completing your certification, and/ or asking individuals who you think would be a willing volunteer. Or, you can submit suggestions for me to contact.

All youth ministry volunteers must have current certification for the course of Serving Vulnerable Populations and a Criminal History Record Check on file with the Diocese. More information can be found by visiting Adult Training on the Diocese of Fairbanks website. Diocese of Fairbanks - Adult Training - Fairbanks, AK

Call or Text 907-978-4786

Email stnicksym@cbna.org
Office hours are as follows:

Sunday 10am-7pm

Wednesday 3:30pm-5:30pm

It is a privilege to work with St. Nick's Youth!

As always, please never hesitate to contact me for any reason.

I pray you are having a blessed week.

In Christ's love, Beth