YOUTH GROUP

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ST. MICHAEL'S YOUTH MINISTRY "NIGHT OUT FOR THE HOMELESS" The recent "Night out for the homeless" event was a success on many levels. Over $600.00 in cash donations was collected and over 400 canned goods. All proceeds will be given to Crossroads Rhode Island, a homeless shelter in Providence. None of this would have been possible without the active participation of the young men and women from our parish or the chaperones and volunteers who gave their time, talents, and resources to that evening. Thank you to Bill & Lisa Bowden, Dave & Wendy Carrier, the Cote family, Celene Forte, Paul & Kathy LaGreca, the Puleo Family, Robert & Sonia Sabo, Josephine Saltzman and Dawn & Joe Wakim. Thank you, also to the many parishioners who made monetary and food donations last Sunday. Students were asked to share their thoughts of the event. Here are two reflections: "Last night was the worst night's sleep I ever had Well, at least that I can remember. It was cold and wet and I didn't know when the dark would go away. I couldn't imagine going through that every night. Plus at least I knew that I had food in the morning and a home to go back to. My eyes have been opened and I am grateful for that." "A bunch of teenagers out for 12 hours, being with our friends, goofing around.  I bet a lot of us took this simply as an opportunity to get 12 hours of community service under our belts. As the night progressed though, I think the real message of this experience began to sink in. Personally I know I came into this wanting more and I got it. I connected with people on levels I never thought I would and it opened my mind to the plight of others. Thank you. Please see the poster of pictures and additional reflections at the main entrance of the church. You can also see photos at the parish web site   WWW.STMICHAELSMITHFIELD .ORG. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me. Matthew 25:35

BINGO NIGHT



 

YOUTH GROUP
MOVIE NIGHT
On Saturday, January 15th, the Youth Group of St. Michael's had a Movie Night which we all enjoyed and had fun with our friends.  Besides the movie we had a talk on Praying and what it means to pray.

Here are some pictures of the night
(Click on the pictures to see full size)

WE NEED YOUR HELP
St. Michael's Youth Group is looking for some Volunteers to help out with the Youth Group at St. Michael's, if you would like to give some of your time and talents to the children please e-mail Bill at billbowden@stmichaelsmithfield.org
We are looking for some helpers that would like to help our children learn about their faith and enjoy some time with their friends.  Any time that you can give is much appreciated and the time spent with the kids is time well spent!

TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT THE KIDS HAVE DONE.

Letters From Home For Those Called To Serve Members of our parish Youth Group met recently to create cards, prayers, and patriotic pins, which were sent to members of our parish who have been called active duty for the conflict in Iraq.  A special thank you for all the youth group for a wonderful job.

                 

St. Aloysius Gonzaga Priest b. 1568 d. 1591 Feast day: June 21 Patron of Catholic Youth

St. Aloysius was born in Castiglione, Italy. The first words St. Aloysius spoke were the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. He was destined for the military by his father who was in service to Philip II, but by the age of 9 had decided on a religious Life, and made a vow of perpetual virginity. To safeguard himself from possible temptation, he would keep his eyes persistently downcast in the presence of women. St. Charles Borromeo gave him his first Holy Communion. A kidney disease prevented St. Aloysius from a full social life for a while, so he spent his time in prayer and reading the Lives of the saints. Although he was appointed a page in Spain, St. Aloysius kept up his many devotions and austerities, and was quite resolved to become a Jesuit. His family eventually moved back to Italy, where he taught catechism to the poor. When he was 18, he joined the Jesuits, after finally breaking down his father, who had refused his entrance into the order. He served in a hospital during the plague of 1587 in Milan, and died from it at the age of 23, after receiving the last rites from St. Robert Bellarmine. The last word he spoke was the Holy Name of Jesus. St. Robert wrote the Life of St. Aloysius.