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Page last updated on: February 3rd, 2012
Youth Minister: Laura J. Haftek
Email: L.Haftek@Olcchurch.com
Office: 973-839-3444 ext. 113
Emergency Cell: 201-264-6408
"Although I have never seen Christ transform His
personal appearance into dazzling glowing white before my eyes
on top of a mountain, I have been awed by His glory! The
disciples only knew Jesus in His human body and they needed a
greater understanding of who Jesus was. I, on the other
hand, never witnessed Jesus in human form. I only came to
know Him in the way He glows through others." ... "
Jesus speaks to me when my heart breaks for someone who is
suffering and [He] leads me to help them. He inspires me to come
up with creative ways to show teenagers how much He loves them.
Christ's love passes through me and is reflected on all of
the wonderful ways that our youth are alive at OLC sharing
their time and talent." ... "I have the pleasure of
eye witnessing Jesus' glory every day of my life as I prepare
our teenagers to feel His Spirit enter their hearts [at
Confirmation]. I have the opportunity to show them how to
continue in Christ's footsteps by doing wonderful acts of
kindness. How awesome is that?!?"
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WINTER 2012
"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously
look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely
I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right
hand.
"
- Isaiah 41:10
Teen Witnessing
[[[ LINKS ]]]
* WYD Pilgrim Witness - by Angela Tarantino 
* WYD Pilgrim Witness - by Chloe Kelly
* WYD Pilgrim Witness - by James Stokem
* WYD Pilgrim Witness - by The Church Family
* Hey Father Mike - by Kate Bain
* Dear Father Mike - by James Stokem
* Dear Father Mike - by Andrea Uklejia
* Dear Fr. Mike - by Desiree Stokem
* Dear Father Michael - by Chloe Kelly
* Dear Father Mike - by Nick Appaluccio
* Father Mike - by Marisa Lacy
* Dear Fr. Mike - by Kirsten Dodds
* Dear Father Michael - by Matthew Conrado
* Dear Father Mike - by Jantzen Rogalski
* Dear Father Mike - by Emily Della Fave
* Dear Father Mike - by Melanie Van Houten
* Dear Father Mike - by Tom Viccaro
* Dear Father Mike - by Michelle Della Fave
* Dear Father Mike - by Paul Gabbianelli
* Dear Father Mike - by Kimberly McGill
* Dear Fr. Mike - by Stephen DeCarlo
* 2010 Spirit Day Team Photo
* 2009 NCYC Attendee Witnesses - Part 2
* 2009 NCYC Attendee Witnesses - Part 1
* God's Personal Call - by Alessio Trivilini
* Praise Gives Life - by Desiree Stokem
* My Confirmation Experience - by Alyssa Greco
* Dear Fr. Mike - by Christian Graff
* Day to Day - by Krystal DeVivo
* Dear Fr. Mike - by Melanie Van Houten
* Dear Fr. Mike - by Stephen De Carlo
* Dear Fr. Mike - by Tom Patania
* Dear Fr. Mike - by Victoria Michna
* Dear Fr. Mike - by Angela Tarantino
Teen Witness Links
WYD Pilgrimage Witness -
Angela Tarantino, Senior at DePaul 9/2011
Hola! My name is Angela Tarantino and I
am one of the lucky pilgrims who just returned from World
Youth Day hosted by Pope Benedict XVI in Madrid Spain.
Truthfully I can't believe it's over. I can remember
back to two years ago when we just started planning and
fundraising. All of our hard work and your support paid
off and we had a blast. This was an experience I will
never forget. Sunday morning we arrived at church to
attend mass and receive our send off blessing, I was in high
spirits. With Fr. Mike's blessing were all excited and
ready to go.
We traveled to Spain safely and arrived
Monday morning in beautiful Madrid. We got there too
early to check into our hotel, so we did some sightseeing.
We saw the botanical gardens, the amazing palace, and
celebrated the feast of the assumption of Mary at a street
fair. Later on that day we met up with the rest of our
OLC pilgrims who were on the pre-tour to Fatima with 75
others from our diocese. We attended mass hosted by
Bishop Serrattelli. The cathedral was breath taking and
I felt the Holy Spirit all around me. The next few days
were filled with prayer, more sightseeing, having fun with
friends, and just loving being a Catholic in our world!
I was shocked to see how many teens from around the world
were really there just to celebrate being a Catholic!
And to think that it was only 3 years ago that I literally
entered the Confirmation Program rebelliously kicking and
screaming...here I was immersed in my faith!
Thursday was the long awaited day. The
Pope was scheduled to arrive in Madrid. We dressed up
as Uncle Sam in our Patriotic gear and traded our religious
crafts with other teens while we waited on the Pope Mobile
route. As we were exchanging gifts, I felt a bond with
total strangers sharing in our love and Catholic faith.
Studying church history in school this year, prepared me
even more for the Pope's arrival. We waited for five
hours in the heat, between a fence and a bush, and as the
time got closer the anticipation was killing me more and
more. Unfortunately they cut the Pope Mobile route
short and we never got to see il papa because of the security
threat and all the rioting. So after sitting outside
in 100 degree weather for five hours, I was not happy when
he never showed up on the route as planned. I was
reminded later on that the Pope is the one who invited teens
from around the world to gather and we were truly there to
celebrate our Catholic faith and love for God. For the
rest of the week I felt the Holy Spirit all around me.
And as the week progressed I felt closer and closer to God,
mostly through the many acts of kindness around me.
Laura tried warning us that being a pilgrim was
hard work but none of us really believed her. But trust
me when I tell you she was right. You're hot, you're,
tired, you're walking miles upon miles with your belongs
strapped to your back, and there are crowds everywhere.
Being a pilgrim really took a toll on me. And as Laura
would say I quickly became "the weakest link". Little by
little, I began to dehydrate and started to get sick and
worn down. I tried to hang in there and not to let it
slow everyone else down.
On Saturday morning, we went to a mass for all
of the American pilgrims at an arena. We saw some famous
Christian singers and really enjoyed celebrating mass.
However, during mass I felt sick to my stomach and knew that
I was about out of steam. That afternoon, as I watched
everyone else pack their bags to start out on their
pilgrimage walk to the vigil site, I had to stay behind with
a chaperone I didn't even know. I felt physically awful
and also felt so disappointed that I would miss out on being
with the Pope at the vigil, sleeping out under the stars with
a million pilgrims, and celebrating the final Papal mass the
next morning. Sergei and Alyssa stayed behind with me
and took care of me, which was truly a sign of God's love.
For the rest of the day I watched the vigil
from the TV and progressively got sicker and sicker. I
ended up in the hospital that night and had to get an IV to
re-hydrate me. The hospital was dirty and no one spoke
English which made it very hard to get help.
It's funny how things work out sometimes.
Surprisingly, I didn't see Christ in the Pope, like I thought
I would. I didn't see Christ during mass. No, I
saw Christ in the faces of the other eight pilgrims from OLC
that I traveled with. Like Jesus, we all carried a
cross. Everyone made their crosses a little heavier to
make mine lighter on the pilgrimage. From letting me use
their phones to call home, or sharing their water, or giving
up their seat so I could sit, or just simply asking if I was
okay, I'm truly thankful for it all.
I can't explain the love I felt being sick in a
foreign country. But, I looked up and saw a Christ-like
friend by me making sure I was alright. I was comforted
by Laura who sat up with me all night in the hospital. I
felt God's love when our pilgrims went shopping for souvenirs
on the last day and I couldn't go so instead they shopped
for me. They all took turns staying with me and that
meant the world to me.
Sometimes I don't notice how blessed I really
am in life. I am so grateful for the God given reality
check and I finally realized all the blessings I truly have.
So a big thank you to my parents, Father Mike, the OLC
parishioners and staff, and a special thanks to the best
youth minister Laura who showed us nothing but love and
kindness and made this trip possible.
Teen Witness Links
WYD Pilgrimage Witness -
Chloe Kelly, Junior at Wayne Hills 9/2011
Hi, my name is Chloe Kelly, I'm a junior at Wayne
Hills High School. I was one of the very fortunate
nine, that had the life time opportunity to travel to Madrid,
Spain a few weeks ago to share my religion with millions of
catholics and Pope Benedict in World Youth Day festivities.
The opportunity to see the pope had an impact on me
from the beginning. It was great having the chance to
become a more spiritual person, while experiencing all
different cultures, new foods, and languages. We didn't
sleep on the plane. When we arrived in Spain,
everything was very different but we were so excited by
everything!
We were one of the first groups to arrive in
Madrid for World Youth Day so we took advantage and explored.
We saw the botanical gardens, the outside of the palace
where the altar was being set up for the Pope's Welcoming.
We also went to a Spanish Festival for the Assumption
of Mary and sampled the only food familiar to us...churros.
That night, we met up with the 88 other pilgrims
who were on a Pre-tour to Fatima from our Diocese. We
were briskly bussed off to a beautiful cathedral where Bishop
Serratelli said mass for the Holy Day, the echo in there
made us sound like a choir of angels when we sang. Then
we had our first dinner together. With going a full 48
hours without sleep, we were ready to sleep that night.
Tuesday, our diocese treated us to a driving
tour by bus to see all of the sites of Madrid before the
Welcoming Ceremony kicked off. When we stopped to see
the famous stadium where the Real Madrid soccer team plays,
we noticed that thousands of teens seemed to have swarmed
the city! I could feel the excitement with laughter,
singing, and dancing all around me! It was contagious!
That night was the opening of World Youth Day
with an outdoor ceremony. We wore our Uncle Sam hats and
American Flag shirts. Teens from other countries all
wanted to pose for pictures and trade with us. We
exchanged many of the patriotic and religious crafts that we
made, with other pilgrims from different countries. It
was so much fun experiencing all of this with millions of
other teenagers!
Wednesday was our FUN DAY away from World Youth
Day activities. Laura took us on a surprise adventure.
She gave us a list of what to pack in our bags and off
we went, one subway after another. Before you knew it,
we were in row boats in the middle of the lake rowing after
ducks splashing under a fountain! We had so much fun.
Then off we went to a big pool in a park on the
outskirts of Madrid to cool off and have a picnic lunch...
where we tried a few spanish sandwiches that were very
appetizing.
That night, Laura took us to Plaza Mayor...a
Spanish Square. We went underground to some caves from
the 1600s that were converted into quaint little restaurants
that had amazing food. We ate Tapas at a few different
restaurants for dinner. They are appetizers that you
share with your group. But, when we came up the stairs
to the Plaza Mayor again, we encountered a disturbingly sad
event taking place. The locals from Madrid had started
a protest that turned into a riot. They were screaming
and spray painting graffiti in Spanish all over the walls of
shops and restaurants...shop owners were closing their stores.
We had no idea what was going on until we saw graffiti
that said "Tourists, go home." and "Pope go home.". It
was very scary at the time, being a tourist and a pilgrim who
came to see the Pope! Yet, God saved us by leading us
to safety while the police and swat teams by the hundreds
moved into the square to stop it. By the time we got
back to our hotel, the rioting had spread to the streets
there as well. We stayed safe inside the hotel for the
rest of the evening.
No matter how Laura tried to prepare us, I still
thought the trip was going to be relaxing and easy going.
The pilgrimage was nowhere near easy-going. The
heat in Madrid was SO hot, reaching 110 degrees.
Fighting dehydration and exhaustion became our challenge.
But each day that passed got tougher. Laura
constantly gathered us to pray for strength and thank God for
our blessings and forced us to drink water.
Thursday had already come so fast, The Pope was
supposed to arrive in Madrid and we tried not to let the
rioting ruin our spirits. Strategically, we chose a spot
where we would have the best chance at seeing the Pope go by
in his Pope mobile. We found a strip of dirt between a
bush and a fence, alongside the road. We guarded our
spot for five hours in the brutal heat. The excitement
of Pope Benedict's arrival could be felt in the air...the
chanting for him was unbelievable. After waiting for
hours right before the Pope's arrival, other pilgrims,
acting like animals began to rip apart the bush behind us and
charge into our spots from behind. We held our ground
with cameras in hand. Unfortunately, with the rioting
from the night before, the Pope's route was cut short and he
never came down the street as planned! We were so
disappointed and upset.
That night, Laura reminded us that the Pope
invites all of the Catholic youth in the world to World Youth
Day to share their faith; he is not the reason that we
attend World Youth Day. He invites everyone to meet in
one city to celebrate their Catholic faith that is so
universal that it extends around the globe.
Friday came along where Laura took us on the
Telerifico which is a Cable Car like a gondola at a ski area
that gave us great views of the city of Madrid. That
night, we gathered in front of a Jumbo TV in a park to watch
the Stations of the Cross which was very touching.
Saturday, we went to a mass for all of the
American Pilgrims at an arena. We saw some famous
Christian singers and really enjoyed celebrating mass.
That afternoon, as we prepared for our Pilgrimage walk, the
heat took the better of us. Angela, Alyssa, and Sergei,
didn't feel well and stayed behind with chaperones at the
hotel. That left only six of us that could do the
Pilgrimage walk to the vigil where the Pope would be.
Then we would sleep out under the stars and attend the final
mass with Pope Benedict.
We packed our 40 pound bags filled with supplies
needed. About 75 pilgrims from our Diocese started out
on our journey with a train that took us around the outside
of Madrid. We then walked for over an hour in the dead
heat of the day with a million other pilgrims to the site of
the vigil... a dirt air field. I truly felt like I
understood what Jesus had gone through in his last hours
after what we had gone through, it made me understand how
lucky and blessed I am for all the things I have, and to
never take it for granted.
As we arrived at the airfield, our assigned area
was already full. Thinking on her feet, Laura found an
open area close by. Speed was everything now. The
six of us split apart from the other Diocesan Pilgrims as
Laura yelled out instructions on how we needed to set up an
entire camping ground in under five minutes. It felt
like we were in a desert baking in the sun. Once we
had our spot plotted out, had a tarp over our heads and drank
a bottle of water, four of us laid down for about an hour.
Meanwhile Laura and Ray continued to have the most
energy to keep us going. They continued to make our
refugee camp more comfortable for us and helped others too.
Within no time, we had all run out of water.
Laura and James set off with our empty bottles in search
of a place to refill them all. They waited on long
lines near rows of porta johns and sinks for water. Some
people were standing in muddy water up to their ankles
taking baths to cool off.
Our little camp site was so hot, yet other
pilgrims flocked towards us and our American flag to trade
items with us. It was great! We didn't even have to
move! They came to us! Some of the trades I made
with other countries were: an Italian flag; Honduras money;
pins from Peru, Brazil, Australia, and Spain; bracelets from
Spain, and Italy; and rosary beads from India. Meeting
people from all around the world was an amazing experience.
After trading most of our possessions, we noticed that
our little refugee camp was in the direct route of the Pope
mobile because volunteers were closing off the dirt path that
ran alongside of us. We were so excited that we would
now get a chance to see the Pope up close!
But, out of nowhere, a thunderstorm was heading
our way. Again the Pope Mobile route was cut short.
It started drizzling so we packed our belongings in a bag and
prepared to cover everything with a tarp. However, with
the rain, huge lightning bolts followed. And with the
lightning getting closer and more intense rain, we made a
group decision to run for our lives!
It was like a monsoon and a tornado all in one
out in an open air field, similar to what we all just
experienced with the hurricane but with lots more lightning!
The rain was pounding down and the wind turned our
umbrellas inside out and ponchos smothered our faces. On
top of that, a helicopter was landing about 50 feet away
from us stirring up everything and sand blasting us!
As we ran for the exit, other pilgrims were
praying to God on their knees. Maybe we didn't have the
kind of faith necessary to weather the storm, but to safety
we ran! It became funny as we were laughing
uncontrollably at this point!
We arrived back at the hotel, only to find that
one of our pilgrims dehydrated and was rushed to the hospital.
Laura quickly hailed a taxi and spent the night in the
hospital with Angela.
The next morning, we all gathered around the TV
in the hotel to watch the final Papal mass. We even held
up all of the religious souvenirs that we purchased, for the
Pope to bless during his final blessing as we watched on TV.
That afternoon, all of the priests who were
traveling with us celebrated a mass that we all attended
in the gym of our hotel. It was really beautiful as we
sang and prayed together. Lots of tears were shed as
we were given a chance to witness our faith experience.
It was very special.
On our way home from Madrid, we had a layover
in Barcelona. From what we saw, the city was beautiful.
Unfortunately, we had an additional three hour delay.
Spending the time in the airport, it felt like a ghost
town. Only a few people were actually there. We
passed the time eating, sleeping, playing cards, and writing
these witnesses.
God inspired me to do greater things in the
world, after what he's done for me I plan on going out into
the world sharing my faith and to help others. Having
been to Madrid to celebrate my Catholic faith with millions
of teens from around the world, I feel blessed. I really
had an amazing time, even with all of the challenges that
we endured. In a way, it brought me closer to Jesus in
the struggles that he went through for us. I now realize
how lucky I am for everything God has blessed me with, and
how fortunate I am. I would like to thank you all for
the support you have given me, allowing me to have this
opportunity to be a part of this faith filled lifetime
experience! That I know I will never forget. Thank
you again for your support over these two years.
Teen Witness Links
WYD Pilgrimage Witness -
James Stokem, Junior at Lakeland Regional High 9/2011
Hello, my name is James Stokem and I am one of
the few teens that made the pilgrimage to World Youth Day
Madrid 2011. God's presence first seemed to impact me
during the "WYD Send-Off Mass" that we had at OLC. When
Father Mike called us to go up to the altar for our Send-Off
Blessing, I could not believe it was really happening.
We have been fundraising for over two years. This day
had finally become a reality. I felt God within me, as
Christ was a part of me, giving me the courage to continue.
No matter how Laura tried to prepare us, I still thought
the trip was going to be relaxing and easy going. The
pilgrimage was rough and difficult right from the start.
We didn't sleep on the plane because it was a late afternoon
flight and we were too excited. When we arrived in Spain,
I thanked God for allowing us to have a safe plane ride.
With the time change, we actually arrived the next
morning. We took advantage of being one of the first
groups to arrive in Madrid so we explored. We saw the
botanical gardens, the outside of the palace where the altar
was being set up for the Papal Welcoming. We also went
to a Spanish Festival for the Assumption of Mary and sampled
the only food familiar to us...churros. We met up with
the 88 other pilgrims who were on a Pre-tour to Fatima from
our Diocese. We were briskly bussed off to a beautiful
cathedral where Bishop Serratelli said mass for the Holy Day.
After that all of us had our first dinner together.
With going a full 36 hours without sleep, we were ready
to sleep that night.
Our diocese treated us to a driving tour by bus
to see all of the sites of Madrid before the Welcoming
Ceremony kicked off. When we stopped to see the famous
stadium where they play soccer, we noticed that thousands of
teens seemed to have swarmed the city in no time! You
could feel the excitement with laughter, singing, and dancing
all around us! We dressed in our Uncle Sam hats and
American Flag shirts for the Welcoming Ceremony. Teens
from other countries all wanted to pose for pictures with us.
We exchanged many of the patriotic and religious crafts
that we made with other pilgrims from different countries.
We were having a blast! The heat in Madrid was like
being cooked, reaching 110 degrees, yet we barely perspired.
Fighting dehydration and exhaustion became our
challenge. But each day that passed got tougher.
Laura constantly gathered us to pray for strength and thank
God for our blessings and to drink some water. The 9 OLC
pilgrims took Wednesday as a FUN DAY. Laura took us on
a surprise adventure. She gave us a list of what to pack
in our bags and off we went, one subway after another.
Before you knew it, we were in row boats in the middle of the
lake having a great time. Then she took us to a big
pool in a park on the outskirts of Madrid to cool off and
have a picnic lunch. Unfortunately, Mrs. Church was
pick pocketed just as we were leaving, unbeknown to her.
Then she lost her Metro pass and we had to retrace our
steps on 2 subways to find it. But, St. Anthony came
through! That night, Laura took us to Plaza Mayor...a
Spanish Square. We went underground to some caves from
the 1600s that were converted into quaint little shops and
restaurants. We ate Tapas at several different
restaurants for dinner. They are appetizers that you
share with your group. When we came up the stairs to the
Plaza Mayor, we encountered a HUGE disturbance. The
local people from Madrid started a riot. They were
screaming and spray painting graffiti in Spanish all over the
walls of shops and restaurants. We had no idea what was
going on until we saw graffiti that said "Tourists, go home."
and "Pope go home.". It was very scary being a tourist
and a pilgrim who came to see the Pope! Yet, God saved
us by leading us to safety while the police by the hundreds
moved into the square. By the time we got back to our
hotel, the rioting had spread to the streets there as well.
We took refuge inside for the rest of the night.
On Thursday morning, we took several trains to
get to an arena for mass with all of the English speaking
Pilgrims. However, the arena was full and they couldn't
let us in. Disappointed we returned to the hotel to
plan for the rest of our day. The Pope was supposed to
arrive in Madrid and we tried not to let the rioting dampen
our spirits. Strategically, we chose a spot to where we
would have the best chance at seeing the Pope go by in his
Pope mobile. We found a strip of dirt between a bush and
a fence, alongside the road. We guarded our spot for
five hours. The excitement of Pope Benedict's arrival
could be felt in the air. We also made sure that we
could still see the Jumbo TV screen from where we were.
We were shocked at what happened next! When the Pope was
due to arrive, acting like animals, other pilgrims began to
rip apart the bush behind us and charge into our spots from
behind. We held our ground with cameras in hand.
Unfortunately, with the rioting from the night before, the
Pope's Pope mobile route was cut short and he never came down
the street as planned! We were so disappointed.
That night, Laura reminded us that the Pope invites all of
the Catholic youth in the world to World Youth Day to share
their faith; he is not the reason that we attend World Youth
Day. He invites everyone to meet at one city to
celebrate their Catholic faith that is so universal that it
extends around the globe.
On Friday morning, Laura took us on the
Telerifico which is a Cable Car like a gondola at a ski area
that gave us great views of the city of Madrid. That
night, we gathered in front of a Jumbo TV in a park to watch
the Stations of the Cross. The next morning, we went to
a mass for all of the American Pilgrims at an arena. We
saw some famous Christian singers and really enjoyed
celebrating mass. That afternoon, as we prepared for our
Pilgrimage walk, the heat took the better of us.
Angela, Alyssa, and Sergei, didn't feel well and stayed
behind with chaperones at the hotel. That left only six
of us that could do the Pilgrimage walk, go on to the vigil
with the Pope, sleep out under the stars and attend the final
mass with Pope Benedict.
We packed our 40 pound bags filled with supplies
needed. About 75 pilgrims from our Diocese started out
on our journey with a train that took us around the outside
of Madrid. We then walked for over an hour in the dead
heat of the day with a million other pilgrims to the site of
the vigil...a dirt air field. I truly felt like what
Jesus had gone through in His last hours. As we arrived
at the airfield, our assigned area was apparently full.
Thinking on her feet, Laura found an open area close by.
Speed was everything now. The six of us split apart from
the other Diocesan Pilgrims as Laura yelled out instructions
on how we needed to set up an entire camping ground in under
ten minutes. It felt like we were in a desert baking
in the sun. Yet once we had a tarp overhead and drank a
bottle of water, four of us layed down for about an hour,
while Laura and Ray continued to strengthen our refugee camp
that we made. Soon we had all run out of water.
Laura and I collected everyone's empty bottles, put them in
a backpack, and went on a journey in search of finding water.
Finally, we found an area where there were rows of
porta johns and sinks for water. Some people were
standing in muddy water up to their ankles taking bird baths
to cool off. We left and searched for any area that
wasn't flooded. We too, doused ourselves, refilled all
of the water bottles, and headed back to our camp.
Pilgrims were flocking to our camp, decorated with an
American flag, to trade items with us. It was great, we
didn't even have to move! They came to us!
Obtaining an Italian flag, a pin from Peru, a bracelet from
Spain,and rosary beads from India are some of the treasures
I got out of the trip. Meeting all the people from all
around the world was an amazing experience. After
trading most of our possessions, it appeared that our camp
was in the direct route of the Pope mobile. We were so
excited that we would now get a chance to see the Pope up
close! But, with a storm brewing, again the Pope Mobile
route was cut short. It started drizzling so we packed
our belongings in a bag and prepared to cover everything with
a tarp. However, with the rain, lightning followed.
And with the lightning getting closer and more intense
rain, we made a group decision to run for our lives! It
was like a monsoon and a tornado! The rain was pounding
down and the wind turned our umbrellas inside out and ponchos
smothered our faces. On top of that, a helicopter was
landing about 50 feet away from us stirring up everything.
As we ran for the exit, other pilgrims were praying to
God on their knees. Maybe we didn't have the kind of
faith necessary to weather the storm, but to safety we ran!
It became funny as we were laughing uncontrollably at
this point! As we were at the vigil, another surprise
had happened. Angela was sent to the hospital for
dehydration. Shock appeared on all of our faces.
Laura took a taxi to the hospital to spend the night with
Angela and would not allow any of us to go with her. By
the next morning, they were back, but Angela still needed
to stay in bed to rest and re-hydrate. We all gathered
around the TV in the hotel to watch the final mass. We
even held up all of the religious souvenirs that we purchased
for the Pope to bless during his final blessing as we
watched on TV. That afternoon, all of the priests who
were traveling with us concelebrated a mass that we all
attended in the gym of our hotel. It was really
beautiful as we sang and prayed together. Pilgrims were
given an opportunity to give a witness about their pilgrimage
experience and it was very special. On our way home
from Madrid, we had a layover in Barcelona. From what we
saw, the city was beautiful. Unfortunately, we had an
additional three hour delay. Spending the time in the
airport, it felt like a ghost town. Only a few people
were actually there. We passed the time, eating
McDonald's food, playing cards, and writing these witnesses.
I feel that God inspired me to do greater things in the
world. Having been to Madrid to celebrate my Catholic
faith with a million teens from around the world, I feel
blessed. I really had a great time, even with all of
the challenges that we endured. In a way, it brought me
closer to Jesus in the struggles that He endured for us.
I would like to thank you all for the support you have given
me, allowing me to have this opportunity to be a part of this
faith-filled experience! I will never forget it.
Thank you again!
Teen Witness Links
WYD Pilgrimage Witness -
The Church Family: Lydia, Sergei, & Ray 9/2011
We wish we could be with you today to thank you
personally for supporting our pilgrimage. What an
adventure! It's hard to even explain what an incredible
experience it was so I hope you all have a chance to see some
of the pictures from our trip to give you a better idea.
Our family was blessed to be able to attend the pre tour,
so since the other pilgrims are talking to you today about
the World Youth Day experience, we will focus on the Pre tour.
Unfortunately a gypsy absconded with our camera so our
stories will have to suffice.
We travelled with 80 other
pilgrims from the Diocese of Paterson in two buses. We
felt very proud representing Our Lady of Consolation parish
and we must confess to bragging about all our parish is
blessed with. We had the honor of Bishop Serratelli on
our bus. He was great with the kids. We even got a
picture of him in a T-shirt & jeans with his baseball cap on
backwards. (Good fodder for blackmail if we ever need
any pull from the diocese !) He told us stories about
the saints from the shrines we visited and said mass for us
each day. A youth group from Passaic were beautiful
singers and enhanced each liturgy with their music. Our
first stop was Fatima, Portugal where the blessed mother
appeared to three shepherd children. It was our mother's
life long dream to go there so that's why we signed up for
the pre tour to begin with. It was the anniversary of
one of Mary's apparitions so there were a lot of people there
from all over the world. When we first approached the
shrine it looked like they were BBQing something in a fire
type pit until we got closer and discovered that so many
people had lit candles at the shrine that they all went up
together in one big fire pit! Late that night, the whole
place was filled with people praying the rosary in every
different language imaginable amidst a sea of candle light.
It was beautiful and awe inspiring. People crawled
on their knees praying around the shrine to ask for special
favors or forgiveness. Several from our group attempted
it, mostly as a physical challenge and one girl had blisters
on her knees the rest of the trip! If you ever get a
chance to go there we highly recommend it. For fun the
next day we visited the Portuguese fishing village of Nazare.
The kids felt right at home as it was a Portuguese
version of the shore! Then it was off to Batalha an
amazing monastery that is a work of art in itself. The
next day we left for Salamanca. On the way there one of
the priests gave us all rosaries and the whole bus prayed the
rosary together.
In Salamanca we met up with other kids from all
over the world who were on their way to World Youth Day and
got a taste of what was to come. In a very Spanish
looking outdoor square they set up a stage and different
countries went up and sang songs with dances from their
country. The African country was the most exotic with
native dress and drums. We felt right at home when
Great Britain hit the stage singing Beatles songs and the
whole Square joined in as well singing along and waving their
countries flags. Our last stop before joining the rest
of our group in Madrid was the walled city of Avilla, Spain
the birthplace of St. Teresa. It was like stepping back
into the past where at any moment a knight in shining armor
may appear for a joust! There we had mass in a chapel
built over the birth place of St. Teresa of Avilla.
There were many relics of St. Teresa and Bishop shared lots
of stories of her miracles and teachings with the kids on the
way there so everyone really got a lot out of it. On a
sad note, Bishop's 97 year old mother fell and he had to
return home but the time he and the rest of the priests and
nuns who went spent with us surely did more for vocations
than a thousand rosaries! It was truly a spiritually,
physically, and intellectually enlightening trip for
everyone and we thank you so much for this opportunity.
We'd like to close with our favorite prayer
from Saint Teresa that our tour guide taught us.
Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things pass away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things.
He who has God
Finds he lacks nothing;
God alone suffices
Thank You,
Love, The Churches
Lydia, Sergei & Ray
|
Teen Witness Links
Hey Father Mike -
Y
Kate Bain, Senior at DePaul 1/2011
I want you to know how much this youth minstry
means to me. I know you're aware how much my uncle Andy's
death changed not only my family's life, but our faith as
well. We knew when I was confirmed, we had to follow you
to OLC, but I didn't how much this church & the youth ministry
would affect me. Thanks both to you & Laura my faith is
renewed & I look forward to coming to church & the youth
program. Starting here as a shy freshman who knew no one
was so hard. Now, I'm part of a family where I know I'm
not only respected, but loved. I don't know what my life
would be like without this community, but I know it wouldn't
be this positive & social. Thank you so much for
providing this church & youth community. It's changed my
life.
Teen Witness Links
Dear Father Mike - by James Stokem, Sophomore at Lakeland Regnl 1/2011
OLC's youth group has changed the views of many,
including myself. At first, I thought the youth group was
a waste of time, since I live in a different town, however,
youth ministry has changed my life drastically. Because
my family is seperated by a divorce, I have no whole family.
This parish, along with youth ministry, allowed me to
have a family. Now I am one of the leaders with the teen
program. Thank you for allowing this program to be so
successful.
Teen Witness Links
Dear Father Mike - Sincerely, Andrea Uklejia, Junior at WHHS 1/2011
Peer Ministry means so much to me. If you
don't believe me, my being at this Peer Ministry Lock-in
retreat is proof enough because today is my 17th birthday.
I could have gone out to dinner with my parents, eaten cake,
and celebrated with friends. But I didn't because I
wanted to go to this retreat. I will hopefully have many
more birthdays to come, but I only have a few more of these
retreats left and I didn't want to miss one. Peer Ministry
and my confirmation classes have played a major role in my
growing faith. They have brought me closer to God and
have made me want to be involved in the church more and more.
I have made many new friends and I have become more open
and outgoing. Becoming a Peer Minister is one of the best
choices I have ever made.
Teen Witness Links
Dear Fr. Mike - Thank you, Desiree Stokem, Senior at Lakeland Regnl 1/2011
My name is Desiree and I am now a senior. I
have been attending youth group activities at OLC since 8th
grade. I love everything about it, and I know that my
life would have been completely different if I had not found,
as I call it, my escape. With all of the journies and
troubles I have faced, I would not have been able to find my
faith and have such a great support system if I did not have
my youth group. Peer Ministry has made me gain so much
confidence, that I have never thought I could have. I
love bragging about my youth group and I am proud to say all
of the wonderful things OLC has to offer. We started
small, and continue to grow. The future is bright and I
will never forget my time here.
Teen Witness Links
Dear Father Michael - Love, Chloe Kelly, Sophomore at WHHS 1/2011
I would like to tell you my opinion on all of our
youth programs at OLC. I think over the past few years
they've become very productive, with the wonderful help of
Laura. I have so much fun everytime I come to an activity
no matter what it is. In this environment, I feel safe
and welcomed and I thank you for providing that for me and all
the other youths in our parish.
Teen Witness Links
Dear Father Mike - Yours truly, Nick Appaluccio, Junior at WHHS 1/2011
This youth program is like no other church's.
I know this from talking to other friends who go to different
churches. To me, this youth group/peer ministry program
is an escape/refresh. Going from no church, pre
confirmation, to church every week, to now, sadly, no church
again, at times I can feel distant from God. Even though
I am faithful, I always feel there is something missing, and I
feel it gets fulfilled by going to youth group. In the
future I am definitely going to want to go to church more
often to try to fill that empty space even more. Until
then I can just do what I can and try my best to be a good
catholic.
Teen Witness Links
Father Mike - Love, Marisa Lacy, Freshman at Mary Help of Christians 1/2011
At first, confirmation was just something that I
was forced to go [to]. My first opinion is that it
was boring and just a reason for us to attend church or donate
money. After the confirmation, service projects, and
youth group started, my perspective changed. I enjoyed the
classes and had fun meeting new and old friends. God
became more important and daily in my life, and I began praying
and going to church more. I went to church not because I
had to, but because I enjoyed your sermons and basically, I
enjoyed church. This confirmation class has helped
strenghten my faith and friendships. I hope this class
continues to be as great as it already is.
Teen Witness Links
Dear Fr. Mike - Sincerely, Kirsten Dodds, Junior at DePaul 1/2011
I feel that our youth program is a comfort zone
or safe place for anyone. We welcome any kind of person
and are willing to make personal sacrifices to help everyone.
Lately, I haven't been as involved at church as I would
like to be. After participating in our recent Lock-in
retreat, I am ready to make the commitment and play an active
role in youth group. I have come to realize just how much
fun we can have together and I want to plan events where we
can show that to other people. Overall, our youth group
is changing. We are growing and we are striving to be
better.
Teen Witness Links
Dear Father Michael - Sincerely, Matthew Conrado, Soph. at WHHS 1/2011
The one word to describe youth ministry is family.
Although we are all not literal family, hypothetically I
feel we are. These teens hold a very special spot in my
heart that I will remember forever. I have become so close
with a select few that I never was before with any others.
Not only have I formed bonds with people but also with
God. I have grown in my faith & hope to maintain this.
The church is something I treasure & will have with me
forever.
Teen Witness Links
Dear Father Mike - From, Jantzen Rogalski, Freshman at WHHS 1/2011
The youth ministry program that we have at OLC
should remain in the church. The program helps teens move
along in their journey to God while having fun in the process.
Even though I am just getting into the program, with this
first taste of the program, I already know a lot about it.
I feel this program will help me and many other teens
throughout their confirmation journey and grow ever closer
to God. Thank you for having this program available to us
and I hope it remains that way.
Teen Witness Links
Dear Father Mike - Love, Emily Della Fave, Junior at High Tech 1/2011
I am very thankful for our youth ministry program
here at OLC. When I first came in as a freshman I was
very reluctant but now as a junior I look forward to coming
out to meetings. Youth group gives me a chance to be
myself and have fun and it has truly helped me grow in my
faith. It gives kids the opportunity to help others, meet
new friends, stay out of trouble and lets us grow as a family.
I love coming up from Kearny to wayne to see my friends,
have fun and help others all in one shot. I am truly
grateful for all you have done to keep our youth ministry
alive.
Teen Witness Links
Dear Father Mike - From, Melanie Van Houten, Senior at WHHS 1/2011
The past 4 years in the youth minstry program
really helped me grow as a person. When you are in high
school having really good close friends is very hard to do.
When you come to youth group it is like having a family
of teens that are good friends and like to help out. We
have such a great program I cannot believe this is my last
year, as a senior, being part of it. I hope as the years
go on this program grows and continues to thrive.
Teen Witness Links
Dear Father Mike - Sincerely, Tom Viccaro, Senior at WHHS 1/2011
The Peer Ministry program is an important asset
of the church because it is a growing process for all of the
teenagers involved in it. Everyone starts their journey
at CCD classes paired up with others that they are not
familiar with. It doesn't take long for the teenagers
to start talking, cooperating, and creating a bond with each
other. This bond goes all the way through confirmation
where each teen has the choice to be on the other side of the
class and become a peer minister. Peer ministry is
important because it builds on leadership qualities that are
latent within all of us. Peer Ministry helps create
tomorrows leaders by bringing together a supportive community
with the same powerful God.
Teen Witness Links
Dear Father Mike - Sincerely, Michelle Della Fave, Freshman at Kearny 1/2011
When I was first asked to be a peer minister, I
had doubts to becoming one. I thought it was going to
take up too much time & I was going to be bored. I came
into this program with a negative attitude & when I leave I am
leaving with a positive one. I have so much fun with
these activities & no longer will I come into a youth group
meeting with a negative outlook. I like that I can be who
I am in this program & no one will judge me. Laura & the
current peer leaders do an excellent job running this program
& I look forward to activities in the future.
Teen Witness Links
Dear Father Mike - by, Paul Gabbianelli, Sophomore 1/2011
I think the youth group is just great. I
think that the way they organize public service activities are
fantastic. Keep the group alive!
Teen Witness Links
Dear Father Mike - by, Kimberly McGill, Sophomore at WHHS 1/2011
There are ways in which this program has helped
not only the people around me, but me personally. Peer
ministry has helped me become a better leader and I have
learned skills, like public speaking, that will help me for
the rest of my life. Between this and confirmation, I have
gotten more involved in the church in ways I wouldn't have
thought before. This church and program has a lot of
potential for teens. Through our youth group we bring
ourselves together. I feel that we need the meaning of
Jesus in our lives. I have heard of the things he's done
and I have heard he loves us, but I feel that teens need to
hear about Jesus's love from our perspective and how his
teachings and his love are even more releveant to us NOW.
I'm trying to say there needs to be more of a
connection between the teens of today, with their problems
related to this century, and to Jesus and how he speaks
directly to us now. I mean this in the best way, and not
to anger anyone, but I feel teens need Jesus now more than
ever. This church has so much potential and I feel that
we need to expand. May the Lord bless you and help teens
see the message that you spread about Jesus and his love.
In Jesus's name.
Teen Witness Links
Dear Fr. Mike - Sincerely, Stephen DeCarlo, Senior at WVHS 1/2011
Our Lady of Consolation has influenced me
tremendously. I have learned so much in such a short
period of time. The Peer Ministry is equally special.
Just like the change I saw in myself, I was also fortunate to
see the growth of the peer ministry. Even
though my stay in the program has also been brief, I was so
amazed by how much more involved the peer ministry has become.
It certainly has played a substantial role in my life,
specifically with my religion and my relationship with God.
I am proud to say that I am a peer minister at OLC and I feel
that our parish will only get stronger.
Teen Witness Links
2010 Spirit Day Team Photo October 3, 2010
Pictured:
Back Row: Arielle Kapit, Jimi Bryan, Richard
De Vivo, Emily Della Fave, Kate Bain, Matthew Conrado, Kimberly McGill
, James Stokem, Tom Viccaro, Stephen DeCarlo
Middle Row: Desiree Stokem, Melanie Van Houten,
Angela Tarantino, Joy Codilla, Amanda Sweetman
Floor Row: Michelle DeSantis, Ray Church, Chloe
Kelly, Tom Patania, Laura Haftek
Teen Witness Links
2009 NCYC Attendee Witnesses - Part 1 12/18/09
Katie Bain, 11th Grade at DePaul -
"I will not go home the same person after NCYC. I have
never been to a gathering like this. It was truly amazing to see over
20,000 Catholic teenagers who were all brought up with the same beliefs!
My faith has truly been inspired by this opportunity to worship so
freely. I am a better Catholic, but more importantly, a better person
after attending NCYC."
Kelsey Behnken, 11th Grade at WVHS -
"On Friday morning, we participated in 'adoration' for the
first time in our lives. We really didn't even know what it was but,
Laura, gathered in an area where she explained in terms that we could
understand of this Catholic tradition of giving devotion to the Eucharist,
a blessed sacrament. While Steve Agrisano was singing, she asked us to
stand, close our eyes, open our arms, and just feel Christ's presence and
nothing else. I felt feelings of hope, love, and belief in a place
where everyone wanted to be close to Christ. It was absolutely
incredible to hold my hands out and pray. I felt butterflies in
my stomach!"
Melissa Behnken, 11th Grade at WVHS -
"NCYC has changed me forever! I have never felt closer
to my family, friends, and most importantly, God. Through song and
dance, I felt God. In the past, I have learned about God and always
had faith, but I hadn't ever FELT God. This amazing opportunity has
changed me!"
Sergei Church, 11th Grade at DePaul -
"I was never to Kansas City before, so it was a new city to
experience and who better to explore it with than Jesus! The teenagers
singing, dancing, and chanting praises for the Lord is what I'll remember
most about NCYC, in addition to dressing up like a corn on the cob to
represent the Garden State of New Jersey. Without the Lord, I never
would have been given the opportunity to have such a memorable time."
Matthew Conrado, 9th Grade at WHHS -
"Being at NCYC was one of the greatest experiences of my life.
I met so many teens that I bonded with because we shared a common faith
without being judged."
Teen Witness Links
2009 NCYC Attendee Witnesses - Part 2 12/27/09
Alyssa Greco, 10th Grade at WVHS -
"Looking around and seeing 22,000 teens fill the arena who all
share the same religion was an experience I will never forget. When
we came together to worship, nothing was stronger than our faith so vibrant
and alive!"
Tommy Patania, 11th Grade at WHHS -
"Going to Kansas City for the National Catholic Youth Conference
was an opportunity for me to journey closer to God with 22,000 other
Catholic teens. I no longer feel like I am one of the few practicing
Catholics attending a tiny little parish in New Jersey. My quest was
met as I witnessed the magnitude of our Catholic faith!"
Kathryn Reddy, 12th Grade at DePaul -
"Things that stand out about my NCYC experience were the
inspirational key note speakers on the topic of chastity and personal
dignity. I loved the 'adoration' experience and 22,000 teenagers
walking down the streets of Kansas City in procession saying the Rosary.
Of course, I made some amazing friends, enjoyed all of the dancing for joy,
doing 'the wave' in the arena with 20,000 kids, trading hats, jewelry,
shirts, and everything else."
Desiree A. Stokem, 11th Grade at LRHS -
"At NCYC, there was no need to be afraid of my faith. I
was able to unite with Catholic teens from all over the United States.
I was proud to be a New Jerseyian, dressed like a 'Jersey tomato'. I
could talk openly and freely about my faith without being judged. The
speakers, music, and huge gatherings were like nothing I have ever
experienced. I felt the Holy Spirit among us and Jesus walking with us.
I have recommitted myself to God, our Catholic church, and serving my
community and peers. It helped me think about my life and what I want
to do in order to fulfill God's intention. I constantly watched the
deaf teens with awe as they sang and prayed in sign language at the closing
mass. It made me appreciate the blessing that I have and have ultimate
respect for them."
Teen Witness Links
God's Personal Call - by Alessio Trivilini 09/26/08
God works in mysterious ways. We will never find out
how but we all have a personal call form God. My personal call from
God to me was that since I love music he gave me the talent of playing
the greatest instrument in the world and that is the trumpet. I have
played the trumpet for many years and it's the great talent that God gave
me. But some times a personal call from God could be like helping out
your family when they need it the most.
When I first started the Confirmation Program at OLC I have
to say it was a blessing from God. Not only did I get involved in
Confirmation sessions, but it led me to Youth Group, Peer Ministry and
playing my trumpet in the Christian Rock Jam. Coming to church
activities helped me to take my mind off from so many things at home due
to the fact that my dad is disabled. I listen to my mom a lot and do
so much for her to try to help her out because she is all alone, however
coming to church activities and give to the church makes me somewhat
special because I am able to teach and learn from others. When I was
small I used to go to church with my mom and dad however it didn't give me
what OLC has given me. I look forward to coming to church every
Sunday not just because I wanted to be Confirmed but that I feel so
different when I am around this religious atmosphere. I enjoy spending
time with friends and when you have friends you have each other.
For me playing the trumpet gives me peace and makes me feel
good about myself. Playing my trumpet in church makes me feel closer
to God than just being in the Youth Group or a Peer Minister. We have
to remember that life is like a rollercoaster. You will never know
what comes next however I do know for a fact that when I call God is
always there for me. Coming to this retreat (Spirit Day) brings you
one step closer to God and being confirmed.
Teen Witness Links
Praise Gives Life - by Desiree Stokem 2008
There are people in my life that bring me down, and then
there are the people that raise me up. I don't want people to bring
me down, but unfortunately sometimes the people that bring me down are
people I am close to, like family and friends. Sometimes even I am
the one to hurt people; I criticize them and bring them down. Everyone
has at one point. But in the end, there are always the people I can
go to for anything and they always make me feel at my best.
My feelings are unique and fragile.
Someone may say one thing and mean it in a different way, but I can't
control my emotional responses. If something that someone said hurts
me, I often do not show my true feelings. Sometimes I do not feel safe
sharing my feelings and opening up, it may be because I do not feel
comfortable, or maybe I don't trust someone, but not sharing how I feel
hurts me more. It blocks my personal growth. When I am criticized,
that criticism is also a block to my growth, and a block to my
relationship with that person. In other words, criticism kills.
Everyone has had a tough time in their life. I personally
have had many tough times, with school, field hockey and other sports,
fights with friends, and at work, but one of the toughest things has been
dealing with my parents' divorce. At first it wasn't that hard,
because my dad was still living with me, but as the days went on, my dad
started helping less and less, and then he decided to move out. I am
not an only child, I have three younger brothers, so I have had to take on
SO many responsibilities on top of all the things I do on a regular basis.
My mom is only one person, she can't play the role of both parents, so
I had to sacrifice many things, like time with my friends and myself.
My mom works so much sometimes that I have to take care of my brothers,
cook, clean, do laundry, make sure they do their homework, make sure they
don't fight, and get all of my homework done too. Because my brothers
were a lot younger at the time of my parents' separation, all they did was
complain to me. I had to keep everything under control. Even
though they don't really show it, they really do look up to me and I know
it. Yet at times, everything was so stressful at home that I distanced
myself from my mom, the rest of my family, my friends, and at the time my
faith was not strong at all. Even with all the things I was doing to
help, my mom continued to tell me to do other things and took out her anger
on me. The criticism hurt me a lot, and I didn't deserve it, but I
didn't tell anyone anything, and I was miserable. My mom knew I wasn't
talking to anyone, because she could see the anger, the frustration, and
the sadness in me, and my brothers, so she took us to a councilor. But
even there I didn't open up, who would want to open up to a total stranger?
I eventually realized that I wasn't going to be able to deal with the
stress and criticism any longer on my own. I started criticizing
other people, even the smallest things, and I started becoming a very
bitter person, I yelled at my brothers, I gave an attitude towards my
parents and my friends. The people I criticized then got mad at me,
because they were hurt. They asked me what my problem was and I told
them nothing, many people tried getting answers out of me, but I wouldn't
open up. Keeping everything bottled up was destroying my relationships
with everyone, and I felt lost and alone. I had many emotional break
downs where all I wanted to do was cry, and when I did, I knew I wanted
someone to talk to; I needed someone to talk to.
At first I tried talking to my friends, they helped, but not
as much as I really needed. I knew I needed more. I tried talking
to my dad like my friends had suggested, but nothing was the same, the
divorce and my bitterness hurt more than I realized. My mom has always
kept us involved with the church by going every Sunday. I was doing
some things with the church, like altar serving, singing at mass and
helping out at summer CCD for leadership hours for Girl Scouts (yes, I am a
Girl Scout). But I really didn't enjoy it that much, and I didn't
tell any of my friends that I did these things at church because I didn't
want to be criticized, that is until I went to an OLC youth group game
night. Before I walked in, I told myself that I was going to be
confident, and I wasn't going to shut people out. By the end, I met so
many people, and I had a lot of fun. I was very skeptical at first,
and I felt really awkward, but there was something that I liked, because I
kept going back. I really started opening up, and I quickly put trust
in the other teens that were there. Every time I went, I felt like I
belonged there. When I walk in, I am greeted with overwhelming hellos,
hugs, and people calling my name. Those praises still and always will
lift me up.
When we praise others, we give them life, we make them feel
good, and we each grow. Recently I have been referring to youth group
as "my escape" because in reality, it is my escape, whether its for a short
hour and a half, or an amazing retreat, I always look forward to youth
group, and I've learned how to open up to the people in my life that I care for,
like my family and friends. My friends don't criticize or make fun of
me for going to youth group and church as I thought they would, some of
them even come with me. I've also learned from my experience how to be
there for anyone through anything, even if I can't fix their problems, I
can make them feel better by trying to cheer them up, praising them, and
giving them life. Being a peer minister has honestly changed my life,
and improved who I am. Even though I have grown, the problems I faced
have not gone away. It has been about 5 years since my parents first
divorced, and the issues keep coming, but instead of trying to hide from
them, I now know how to deal with them. I have learned how to face
criticism in a positive way by opening up and talking to the people that
hurt me, or the other people that love and comfort me, like my friends,
family, and God. The greatest and most simplistic praise you can give
is a smile. Whoever is happy will make others happy too, we make a
living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. When I'm
not smiling, my grandma tells me, "If you have confidence in your faith,
you can get through everything. When one door closes, He opens another,
so keep that beautiful smile on your face sweetheart. You'll find the
other doors, I know you will." Criticism kills, praise gives life;
find strength in the people that truly love you, trust God, and think
positive!
Teen Witness Links
My Confirmation Experience - by Alyssa Greco July 2009
My confirmation experience is one i will never forget.
Throughout my 1st year in the Confirmation Preparation Program, I have met
tons of new people, made new friends, played games I've never even heard of,
and listened to very interesting and thought provoking speeches by Fr.
Mike.
It has been great and there are still many more adventures to
experience in the 2nd year Program, before I receive my confirmation.
My faith has grown tremendously because of this program, getting involved
in service, and becoming a Peer Minister. I hope that the incoming
freshman have as much fun as I did in this program.
Teen Witness Links
Dear Fr. Mike - by Christian Graff July 12, 2009
Ever since entering the Confirmation Program and joining Peer
Ministry, my faith has grown a lot. Being involved in Peer Ministry
makes me a lot more involved in my church. There are many different
activities you can get involved in and they are a lot of fun. Before
youth ministry, I didn't attend church regularly, now I attend church
almost every week. Also, going to all the youth group meetings and
retreats, you become a lot better friends with the people you go to youth
group with.
Teen Witness Links
Day to Day - by Krystal DeVivo 2009
God is always going to be with you at your best and even at
your worst of times. Whether it be a big test coming up, a big game, or
a death in the family. God will always be with you every step of the way to
help you through it. I can remember sitting where you guys are now
(Antioch retreat) just about a year ago when I was about to make my confirmation. The
confirmation program helped me strengthen my relationship with God. When I
first started the program I did not go to church regularly and prayer was
not a big part of my life. That has changed since the Confirmation
program helped me see that when you need God the most he will always be
there. I feel closer to God than ever before after making my
confirmation, I pray and communicate with God more often, and I make it a
habit to get up to go to church on Sunday morning. A person who helped
me along the way in my faith was my godmother. She was my sponsor and
I couldn't of had a better person standing up at the altar with me as I
got confirmed. She was proud of me that I decided to continue
practicing my faith by receiving my Confirmation because she finds that
kids often stray away from the church after making their confirmation.
Continuing your faith after confirmation is key. I have stayed active
in the church by becoming a Peer Minster, so I can try and pass on my faith
to my peers. It not only gets you more active in the church but it is
a fun way to interact and meet new friends.
Teen Witness Links
Dear Fr. Mike - by Melanie Van Houten July 2009
My Confirmation experience was amazing. We did so many
activities together throughout the 2 years and now we are like one big
family. The part of the journey I enjoyed the most was the retreats.
It is so nice to have a break from the real world and just have fun
with all my peer ministry friends. I also enjoyed the Sunday night
faith sharing meetings. The prayer we did to close the Sunday night
meetings is something I will remember for a long time. It was so nice
to see everyone praying for each other and it truly showed how we all cared
for one another. Although I am already involved in the church through
alter serving and peer ministry I will continue to stay involved to keep
my faith strong.
Teen Witness Links
Dear Fr. Mike - by Stephen De Carlo July 2009
My experience at OLC was a special one. I met so many new
people my age that, like me, wanted to contribute to the community.
However, this could not have been possible without the hard work and effort
from Laura. She gave so much of her time to coordinate events and did
so with great enthusiasm. Such as the Antioch retreat we had at Camp
Warwick. The staff that Laura had gathered together did an awesome job,
providing motivation and leadership quality. Ryan Behnken, for example,
was an inspiration to everyone and an effective speaker. I can
honestly say that many people learned from the life lessons taught in the
retreat. In comparison to my other CCD, I learned a lot more and got a
lot more out of my Parish. With all I have learned from this
experience, I hope to be an asset to my church, my faith, and my community.
Teen Witness Links
Dear Fr. Mike - by Tom Patania July 7, 2009
To begin, it is a great honor to have you as my pastor. I
am so happy to be a part of Our Lady Of Consolation. I would like to
point out the great times and experiences I have had in the OLC youth
ministry program.
Starting off, before I met Laura and entered the confirmation
program I rarely attended mass and rarely was involved in the church.
This has changed, however, as now I am a peer minister, a Lector, an altar
server, and soon to be a Eucharistic Minister. I originally did not
want to be involved, but Laura showed me how great it truly is to be
involved in something so wonderful. Now, instead of just being in
church when I have to, I am often early to mass to help set up and don't
leave until after I help to clean up.
Halfway through freshman year I decided to become a peer
minster, and I believe it has been the best decision I have ever made.
Peer ministry is one of my favorite parts of our parish. All of us in
this ministry have a close bond with each other and are not afraid to share
personal things with one another. We are also always there for each
other when it is needed. I am now a better person as I have learned
from the other peer ministers on how to better my personality and my gifts.
On another topic, I have also been lucky enough to have had
the monthly confirmation faith sharing sessions that Laura has made
possible. In these sessions I learned about my faith while
strengthening myself as a human being and I learned skit-making and song-
making skills.
In the end, I also attend church much more often now than I
did in the past. I am very honored to have undergone Laura's great
confirmation program and to be able to hear you speak every Sunday.
Teen Witness Links
Dear Fr. Mike - by Victoria Michna July 12, 2009
I just graduated high school and I wanted to take a moment to
write to you. My experience with Youth Ministry at Our Lady of
Consolation was a very positive one. When I was first introduced to
the Confirmation Program, before Laura came, we did not have a strong
program. It was just a class I had to take in order to get confirmed.
During the next year, the whole program changed and grew when
Laura came. With the service projects and group activities, I got to
meet new people and become more involved with the church. The retreats
were the most effective and most memorable experiences I had in the
program. As a team member, I also got to see how the retreats
transformed people and allowed them to open up and really look at their
lives, beliefs and religion.
Becoming confirmed did not really affect my church mass
attendance because I go almost every weekend with my family, either to OLC
or to Polish mass in Garfield. Mass gives me time to think and to
reflect but also listen to the gospel.
As for future activity in the church, I plan to do as much as
I can. I am going away to RPI in the fall for college but, hopefully
I will be able to come back to attend the retreats because those were the
best part of the program. Thanks for putting the time and effort into
making a great Youth Ministry Program that I am proud to be a part of!
Teen Witness Links
Dear Fr. Mike - by Angela Tarantino August, 2009
I really appreciate being a Peer Minister in the Youth Program.
It has helped me grow spiritually and given me a sense of belonging.
When I hang out with people at Youth Group, I can always be myself,
because I know that no one will judge me. I really enjoy OLC, Peer
Ministry, and Youth Group!
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