Mary is Mother – your mother, my mother, everyone’s mother – and she cares for all of us day-in-and-day-out without fail, interceding for us in even the tiniest matters.

It is a centuries-old custom of Catholics to dedicate the month of May to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The month of May is always part of the Easter season, the fifty days we celebrate in the liturgy the Resurrection of Our Lord, a time also of awaiting the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The celebration of May as a Marian month fits well with the liturgical celebrations of Easter and Pentecost as we recall Mary’s great joy in her Son’s victory over death as well as her presence with the apostles in the upper room prayerfully awaiting the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

The ways Mary is honored in May is as varied as the people who honor her.

The following practices which are recommended by the Magisterium are offered as suggestions for honoring Our Lady during Her month:

• The Regina Coeli
• The Rosary
• Medals
• The "Akathistos" Hymn
• Litanies of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• Consecration and Entrustment to Mary
• The Brown Scapular and other Scapulars

Wherever there is faith there is the example of Mary, because she lived by faith as the Scriptures remind us.

Youth & Teens (from EDGE & HSYG) are invited to join us at St. Nick's 5:30-8:30pm on Friday, May 3rd!

RSVP in the form below for EACH youth & teen attending.

This will be an opportunity for the Youth & Teens to complete a service project for the St. Nick's RE Teachers and have social time together. Pizza will be provided.

This year the Summer Oratory will have a limited number of spots available, and those attending MUST be registered in advance. Submit your registration ASAP to reserve your spots!

All registrations are due by due May 5th.

To Register:

-click this link to register online https://dioceseoffairbanks.org/summer-oratory

-click the PDF link below to print a form

-pick up a form from the tables outside the Chapel

Completed forms with payment can be given to Beth or the Servidoras Sisters.

Everyone from EDGE & HSYG have been given an opportunity to receive a prize when they submit their completed One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church worksheets.

ALL who return their completed worksheets by May 5th will receive a gift card!

• EDGE youth are encouraged to have assistance from parents & family members.
• HSYG teens were instructed to work independently.

See images below and open the link for a printable PDF.

Class began with the youth sharing their news from the past week with all of us in EDGE! See video below.

Next, we reviewed our last session, and completed our 10th and FINAL session of Symbolon, The Holy Spirit and the Life of Grace.

We discussed the theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity, how our works show our love for God and each other, and that the Holy Spirit is ALIVE in each of us. Please click the links below to view the session and the discussion slides.

We then recognized those who returned their completed worksheets and they each received a token for Bristol's Shaved Ice! See images & link above in the ANNOUNCEMENTS section for a printable PDF.

We were all excited to finish class OUTSIDE with a game of REVERSE EASTER EGG TOSS!

Congrats to our WINNERS! See video below.

This Sunday will be the last day of RE classes as Summer Break begins.

All classes will join the May Crowning Procession followed by an Ice Cream Social!

We took our time starting because the Teens had lots of news to share with HSYG this week! See video below.

Next, we reviewed our last session, and completed the God Is... Collection with the tenth and FINAL session, God Is Redeemer.

We discussed sin, forgiveness, the need to show our love for God by ackowledging our sin, and letting God love us through His mercy. Please click the links below to view the session and the discussion slides.

We then recognized those who returned their completed worksheets and they each received a token for Bristol's Shaved Ice! See images & link above in the ANNOUNCEMENTS section for a printable PDF.

We were all excited to finish class OUTSIDE with the HULA HOOP CHALLENGE and some special goodbyes! See video below.

Because this Sunday will be our last 'official' day for HSYG before Summer Break, the Teens voted for a trip to the Aurora Fun Center!

A completed permission slip is REQUIRED for each Teen who would like to participate in this event. These can be viewed and printed below, or hardcopies are available in my box next to the copy room at St. Nick’s.

A signed permission slip for each Teen must be submitted no later than this Saturday, May 4th. These can be given to me at First Friday on 5/3, sent to me via email (stnicksym@cbna.org), or left in my box.

This event is for current HSYG teens only. Parents are welcome to attend, but no younger siblings please. Thank you for your understanding.

The HSYG is such a blessing to St. Nick’s! I am excited to celebrate all that these amazing Teens have accomplished and their continued participation with SNYM (St. Nick’s Youth Ministry)! -Beth

Summer plans for all of SNYM (St. Nick's Youth Minsitry) are still being determined and will be announced as soon as possible.

EDGE & HSYG will need Assistant Cathecists for SEP 2024 - MAY 2025.

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

Please prayerfully 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. -Beth

Next class will be on Thursday, May 9th at 4pm in the Youth Room.

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

At 5pm on Saturday, May 18th we will celebrate the Confirmation Mass with Bishop Maekawa.

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