San Felipe de Jesus Youth at PJD

VIA CRUCES + STATIONS OF THE CROSS

2008-03-27T06:34:00.000-07:00

We invite you to pray the Stations of the Cross with us on video. This year our youth group was invited to do the stations of the cross in downtown Brownsville. As we prepared, we spent time reflecting on Jesus' journey and how people continue to suffer in their life as He did on his way to the cross. During each station we prayed for different people in our world...take a few moments and pray for them as well.

A Desert Retreat

2008-02-20T09:20:00.000-08:00

The youth began the month of February with a retreat at the Benedicitne Retreat Center in Rio Grande City, TX. Most of us had never traveled that far away from home. It was great to get away from school work, friends and family, and the daily routine of life. We went to the desert, like Jesus often did, to learn more about God, our community, and ourselves. We handed over cell phones, mp3s and i pods so we could really focus on being present to what was before us-we could notice things we normally wouldn't see- like the sunset.

It was an experience that is hard to put into words...how do you describe what God's love feels like? We're so used to serving others and to giving to others that we were moved as we recieved the gifts of the retreat; the gifts of friendship, community, forgivness, and love.

Hopefully, we can now build on this foundation and invite others to join us in serving God through serving those who are most in need.

Reaching out to the YOUNG and OLD

2008-02-14T13:45:00.000-08:00

From Matamoros to Cameron Park the teens continue to think of new ways to reach out to their community.

Matamoros, children wait in line to play hand made games. While their mom's chose warm clothing the teens collected in their Sweater Drive.

Teens baked Valentines sugar cookies for the senior citizens in our area who participate in PJD's program. YUM!

Playing chalupa (Mexican Bingo) with residence at a local nursing home.

Still serving

2007-11-19T08:36:00.000-08:00

Since returning to school the teens have been invovled of a number of service projects from holding a haunted house for children in the community to painting lage murals to help decorate religious education classrooms.

Our latest project was holding a canned food drive with the CCD classes of San Felipe de Jesus Parish. The students brought in enough canned goods for the teens to put together 18 Thanksgiving Baskets for needy families in Cameron Park (and the 'left over' canned goods were sent off to Tabasco, Mexico). St. Anthony's Catholic School in Harlengin also contributed enough household and personal supplies to make a second basket for each family. THANKS to Sr. Catherine and all the students at St. Anthony's. All of these groups working together helped us to create a great gift for those who are most in need...it was more than we could have ever done alone!

The teens set out this past weekend to visit families and give them the baskets. It was a good experience for all. Some of those recieving the baskets were very happy, others were moved to tears and some simply did not know how to respond. The youth reflected on the experience of reaching out to others- they all agreed it was something they would do again-even though it seemed akward talking to people who they do not know. The group realized how much they have to be thankful for and how much they have to share with others.