Photos courtesy of the Archdiocese of Newark
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Dozens of young Archdiocese of Newark parishioners volunteered some of their vacation time this summer to assist with maintenance projects at sites throughout Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union counties. Their efforts were part of “Days in the Diocese,” a new program presented by the Archdiocese’s Office for Youth & Young Adult Ministry that offered one-day service immersion experiences to teens enrolled in a parish youth group or Confirmation program.
Teens from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Ridgewood were among the dozens of young parishioners who volunteered at sites throughout Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union counties for a new Archdiocese of Newark service immersion program this summer.
The participating high school students washed windows, mopped floors, moved furniture, and completed a variety of other cleaning and landscaping work at locations in each of the four counties the Archdiocese serves: Our Lady of Sorrows/Christ the King Church in Jersey City, Sacred Heart Church in Bloomfield, Immaculate Conception Church in Elizabeth, and the future Hackensack location of The Mercy House.
For their efforts, the teenagers received a blessing from the Archdiocese’s auxiliary bishops — who were present at their county’s site — in addition to the reward of knowing they have made a positive impact..
“I’m sure a lot of people have the idea that many teens are obsessed with social media and video games, but ‘Days in the Diocese’ proved today’s young Church really cares about helping others,” said Rich Donovan, the Office of Youth & Young Adult Ministry’s Associate Director for Events and Training. “I hope the participants learned how easy it is to make a big difference locally because there will always be a need for service in their parish or community. And the Office for Youth & Young Adult Ministry will continue providing ways they can live their faith by benefiting those in need.”
To learn more about “Days in the Diocese” and other initiatives within the Archdiocese of Newark’s Youth & Young Adult Ministry, visit https://www.newarkoym.com/.
The Office for Youth & Young Adult Ministry trains, equips, and supports parishes for the tremendous challenge of ministering to, with, by, and for our Catholics. The Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry reaches hundreds of young Catholics each year throughout the 212 parishes of the Archdiocese with the love and truth of Jesus and His Church. As a result, parishes come alive with enthusiasm, becoming faith communities; and most of all, young people hear Jesus’ call to change this world for God.
The Archdiocese of Newark serves approximately 1.3 million Catholics who reside in the 511 square miles of the four counties it serves: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union counties. Comprised of 212 Catholic parishes and 74 primary and secondary Catholic schools, the Archdiocese is shepherded by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R. He was appointed Archbishop of Newark on November 7, 2016, and elevated to Cardinal by the Holy Father, Pope Francis, on November 19, 2016. Cardinal Tobin was installed as Archbishop of Newark on January 6, 2017. To learn more, visit www.rcan.org.
