Youth Group at St. James Catholic Church

The St. James Youth Group participated in Washington County's Largest Smore during the Moses Austin Days 2009. The smore was assembled by members of the Youth Group along with Youth Group leader Cindy Ware. When finished, their smore measured 31 feet! The treat was then individually packaged and enjoyed by on-lookers and team members. Check out the pictures from this fun event by clicking the Youth Group Photos Page link.

The High School Group along with their Chaperones, Father Joe, Susan Mathis and Cindy Ware toured The Vincentian Shrine in Perryville, Missouri on October 11, 2009. They also attended Mass, had and evening meal and concluded with a night time hay ride. Check out the pictures from this trip by clicking the Youth Group Photos Page link. The Youth Group would like to invite other High School Students to come and help plan future trips. The next meeting will be on Wednesday November 4, 2009.

On December 13th the Youth Group made a variety of cookies including sugar cookies and chocolate chip they handmade the cards to go with the cookies, ate pizza and watched the movie Nativity Story. Thank you, Linda Pashia, Dennis Blair, Cheryl Brickey and Kim Whitaker for their help. The cookies and cards will be given to the shut-ins by Fr. Joe as he makes Christmas Confessions and Communion calls.

It has been one year now, since March 2009 that two parishioners stepped forward and asked what they could do for the high school youth of our parish. I want to thank Susan Mathis and Cindy Ware for the ground work they have layed in this past year in establishing a high school youth ministry in our parish. As the second year begins, Susan is continuing, while Cindy has asked to step aside for some other projects. This past Sunday, March 14th a group of 11 of our youth were able to travel to the Vincentian Shrine Church at Perryville, for an area wide youth Mass and evening program. I welcome Cheryl Brickey for stepping up to help Susan Mathis in this necessary work with our Catholics of high school age.

During the week of June 13-19th, 120 teenagers from south-central and south-east Missouri, participated in "Project Life". This week long , intense summer service retreat, is organized by the Youth Ministry Office of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. The camp was centered at the campus of St. Vincent's Parish, Perryville. Potosi teens, Amanda Fulbright and Jeremy Mathis of St. James Catholic Church participated in the camp. SEE FEATURED STORY BELOW ...

"Two Potosi Teens at Project Life Camp"

During the week of June 13-19th, 120 teenagers from south-central and south-east Missouri, participated in "Project Life". This week long , intense summer service retreat, is organized by the Youth Ministry Office of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. The camp was centered at the campus of St. Vincent's Parish, Perryville.

Potosi teens, Amanda Fulbright and Jeremy Mathis of St. James Catholic Church participated in the camp.

The teens and their chaperones were housed at the parish. In small group discussions, there were six teens to each chaperone. There was daily Mass and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Contemporary Christen music geared to the faith development and expression of teens. There was also morning prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours to set the pace and rhythm of service, with the biblical psalms. Each day some twenty vans would transport the participants to volunteer worksites. The local St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store was also one of the work sites. Both Potosi teens stated the "Night Mass" at the outdoor Marian grotto on the Vincentian Campus was a highlight of the week. The Carl Zimmerman Band, a contemporary Christian Band from St. Louis County played warm-ups, the daily Masses, and provided a concert for the teens.

Several years before, Jeremy Mathis attended the Life Camp when it was held at St. Joachim's Parish in Old Mines. He felt both programs were beneficial to him. Amanda Fulbright, a first time participant said she was looking forward to returning to Camp Life in 2011. The camp itself is held to allow teens to gather with other Catholic youth and to realize more of their potential for letting their faith come alive. The students were sponsored by their home parish, St. James Church, Potosi.