Mission Trip 2008
Plans are in the works for next summer's mission trip.  The popular choice is to go to Omaha the week of July 6-12.  To reserve a spot, please contact the parish office.  A $50.00 non-refundable deposit is needed to get on the mission trip list.  Reserve early so there is more time for fund-raising!  To learn more about the mission trip program, go to the Young Neighbors In Action website.

Luke 18 Update
The next Luke 18 retreat will be the weekend of January 18-21 at St. Teresa's Parish Center.  Team and registration information about the 2008 Luke 18 will be available soon. Kurt Wuebbels will be in charge of the program until a new Coordinator of Youth Ministry can be hired.  His email address is wuebbe30@hotmail.com

Youth Ministry Update
As you probably already know, I will be leaving Belleville shortly.  Many of the individual programs that I led directly will not be available until new leaders come on board and keep the various ministries going.  Most of the biggest ministry programs have leaders, so there will be some programs continuing once I leave.  The parishes are in the process of discerning how to realign the position of Coordinator of Youth Ministry, so please be patient as this transition occurs.  In the mean time, PLEASE continue to stay involved and help in any way possible so that Youth Ministry continues to grow in Belleville!  Below is the list of all the current ministry strategies and who will likely continue leading that stategy once I leave.

Youth Ministry Commission- this group will be the lead group to help the parishes reform the position of Coodinator of Youth Ministry
Parish Council Representation - Erik S has this well in hand at Cathedral.
Grants & Fund Raising - no leader in place yet
Advertising & Awareness - no leader in place yet
Youth Group - Fr. Steven Beatty will likely take this ministry
Junior High Youth Group - no leader in place yet
High School PSR/Renew Group - no leader in place yet
Family Faith Formation - no leader in place yet
Poster Contests - The Knights of Columbus Council will likely lead these events
Essay Contests - The Knights of Columbus will likely take this one as well.
Lock-Ins - no leader in place yet
Athletic Teams - Tim Q and Luke B have traditionally been involved with this
Cathedral Player's Guild - Mike L is helping out, but a "producer" person is needed!
Ondessonk Youth Ministry Weekend - no leader in place yet
Deanery Activities - no leader in place yet
Youth Sing Praise - no leader in place yet
Cardinal Baseball Game Day - no leader in place yet
Luke 18 Retreat - Kurt W has this and is already making progress on getting the next retreat rolling
Diocesan Youth Conference - no leader in place yet
Shrine World Youth Day - Amy and Randy R. will be chaperoning for St. Teresa for the junior high day.  Leaders are needed for the high school event
National Catholic Youth Conference - no leader in place, but no teens signed up to go
Retreats - no leader in place yet
Christian Music Concerts - no leader in place yet
International World Youth Day - no leader in place but no one signed up to go
Food Fast - no leader in place yet
“Souper” Bowl of Caring - no leader in place yet
Young Neighbors In Action - Sean Donahue is helping, another adult is needed!
Pro-Life Activities - no leader in place yet
Picnic for the Elderly - no leader in place yet
Neighbors for Renewal - no leader in place yet
Church Picnics - I will be here for St. Teresa's picnic, after that, no one has claimed this one =(
Crop Walk- no leader in place yet
St. Vincent de Paul Events - no leader in place yet
Caroling for Missions - no leader in place yet
Special Olympics - no leader in place yet
Operation Rice Bowl - no leader in place yet
Blood Drives - no leader in place yet
Youth Awards - no leader in place yet
In-Service Leadership Training - no leader in place yet
Boy Scouts of America - see the parish bulletin
Girl Scouts of America - see the parish bulletin
National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry- no leader in place yet
Diocesan Conference for Youth Ministers - no leader in place yet
Greeting Cards - Barbara P. for St. Teresa
Pastoral Ministry - no leader in place yet
Blessings - no leader in place yet
Public Schools Outreach Ministry - no leader in place yet
Exam Care Packages - no leader in place yet
Family Workshops - no leader in place yet
Contemporary Choirs - Paul L for Cathedral, Dian K for St. Teresa
Grade School Choirs - Charla W for Cathedral, Dian K for St. Teresa
Vespers - no leader in place yet
YOUTH 2000 - no leader in place yet

New Contact Information
My new role will be serving Bishop George Lucas as his Associate Director for Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.  My office will be at the Catholic Pastoral Center in Springfield, 1615 W Washington Street.  Phone (217)698-8500.  I will be happy to answer questions about what I did for the ministries listed above so that new leaders can learn more about them.