HOPE (Holy Orthodox Primary Education) and JOY (Junior Orthodox Youth) ministers to children in our community from Kindergarten through 5th grade. The mission and goal is to lead children together in becoming active sacramental members of the living Church and developing a relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Throughout all the activities, the youth will be given the opportunity to express their faith and enjoy fellowship with other young people in their age group. By laying the foundation at these ages, they will have the foundation to guide them through their teen years.
Such activities for HOPE and JOY include: Basketball, Advent and Pascha retreats, food, clothing, and toy drives throughout the year, social outings and fellowship such as Board Game Extravaganza, family nights. and much more!
Click HERE for HOPE & JOY 2018-2019 Registration
HOPE and JOY families enjoyed making gingerbread houses and getting into the Christmas spirit!
Our Sunday School classes decorated their Christmas Tree in the Small Hall!
What a wonderful Family Ministry Harvest Festival event! We enjoyed eating together, painting and decorating pumpkins, and playing bingo! In addition, the adults had a session with Father Dionysios discussing the Parable of the Sower and the importance of harvesting. We ended the evening with the Small Compline and our traditional Candy Dive. Until next year!
Our 3rd Grade Sunday School students learned about the theological significance and purpose of the censer in the Orthodox Church. Along with the lesson, they crafted their own censer as pictured below. Click on the link for more pictures of this wonderful lesson taught by their teachers Margarita Kontos Kaplan and Rania Virvilis.
Young and old alike had a great time rock climbing, riding go-carts, playing lazertag, putt-putt, enjoying lunch, and more!
The youth of the parish participated in the Good Friday retreat and learned about the power of the Cross of Christ! They participated in several sessions, services and also did service work for the church.
The youth had an amazing time using play-doh to discuss what we pray for, what we see when we first come to church, and Palm Sunday!
"This is the faith of the Apostles, this is the faith of the Fathers, this is the faith of the Orthodox, this is the faith which has supported the whole world."
At the monthly HOPE and JOY meeting, the youth discussed the love of God in our lives! Much fun was had by all!
The Youth Gala is a fundraising event for youth ministries at Saint Catherine's Church. The night included a buffet dinner with beer and wine, silent auction, live auction, and live entertainment from the St. Catherine’s Dance Group and DJ Lacos! It was a great evening for a great cause!
Youth participated in the Christmas Eve Pageant celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The youth enjoyed great fellowship and fun discussing the upcoming Feast Day of Saint Catherine and Thanksgiving. They were reminded that everyone is called to be saintly and that we have to God for all that we have in our lives.
The kids had a wonderful time decorating pumpkins, playing games, having a discussion on the faith, and dashing for candy!
The youth discussed the importance of making Ecclesiastical New Year Resolutions (which means September for the Church) to make ourselves better. What can be done at home, school or church? We read the book "Glow" which talked about prayer, and then decorated faith boxes that included inside: an icon of Christ, three rocks (to remember to pray three times a day), a cross, the Lord's Prayer and a candle.
Father Dionysios began the year with several Agiasmos Services for Greek School and pictured here Sunday School! May everyone have a blessed year!
HOPE and JOY youth enjoyed an end of the year celebration and learned about Pentecost!
Congratulations to everyone for a wonderful year! God bless!
Congratulations to all the students, teachers and director for a marvelous year!
Our community participated in the parade celebrating our Greek heritage! Zhtw h Ellas!
After receiving the light of Christ at the Agape Service, the youth of the parish participated in an Easter Egg Hunt.
All youth participated in services, activities and projects throughout the day focusing on the theme Our Journey Following Christ.
Families worked together to make palms and eat dinner. We had breakout sessions for adults and youth of all ages around the theme "Do we live to die, or live to never die" and Lazarus being raised from the dead.
Students performed poems, songs, and dances in honor of Greek Independence Day! Zhtw h Ellas!