One of the greatest priorities for our parish at this moment in history is reaching the next generation of Catholics. We are blessed at Mary, Mother of Our Savior Parish to have developed a robust and vibrant youth ministry program that is not only serving the teens of our parish, but is also open to young people from across the Greater Utica Area.
Our vision has always been outward-facing: to create a place where teens from all of our local parishes can encounter Christ, grow in authentic Christian friendship, and be inspired to return to their own parishes as missionary disciples.
Over the past two years, our parish has invested significant time, energy, and resources into building up this ministry from the ground up. A dedicated core team of young adults faithful, joyful, and on fire for Christ now accompanies our teens each Monday night throughout the school year. Their presence is vital. Teens respond when they encounter mentors who not only know the faith but also live it in an authentic and relatable way. This core team consistently witnesses to the joy of the Gospel and invites our youth to see that following Jesus is not only possible in today’s world, but profoundly life-giving.
Youth ministry is not meant to replace what happens in the home parish. Rather, it is meant to support and strengthen our teens so they return more engaged, more confident in their faith, and more willing to step into leadership roles at their own parishes. It is a collaborative work, and I believe it is one of the most effective ways we as a Catholic community can respond to the call of the New Evangelization.
For the past two years, Brittany Wilcox has faithfully led this ministry first as a full-time youth minister in our opening year, and then part-time in our second year. We are so grateful for her vision and dedication, which has left us with a flourishing program and a strong foundation. She and our core team have already led teens from the Greater Utica Area to the Steubenville Youth Conference two summers in a row and have been a vital presence in our Totus Tuus summer program as well.
I am now pleased to share that Nate Discavage will serve as the new part-time coordinator of our Youth Ministry Nights. He will continue working alongside our robust core team of young adults who are eager to accompany our teens. Youth ministry nights will begin this Monday at 6:30pm and will continue weekly throughout the school year. Please pray for Nate, our team, and especially our teens, that this ministry may continue to bear great fruit for the future of the Church in the Greater Utica Area.
Your Servant in Christ,
Father Jason C. Hage, Pastor
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us!
Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us!
Mary, Mother of Our Savior, pray for us!