As a member of St. Mary parish and a parent actively involved with our youth group, it is with great excitement that I look forward to the grand opening celebration of our new Family Life Center this weekend!

It truly has been a work in progress, one we have anxiously awaited, especially for our youth. St. Mary’s youth programs are divided into three age groups: KCYO (grades third-fifth), JCYO (grades sixth-eighth) and CYO (grades ninth-12th).

With our new Family Life Center, the young people of our parish finally have a place to call their own with the beautiful new youth wing.

As a member of the planning committee for the grand opening and dedication, we plan on putting it to good use, beginning with a celebration for our youth Saturday and continuing Sunday.

On Saturday, our youth are invited to attend Mass together and then join for some time of fun in our new youth wing.

On Sunday, beginning at 3 p.m., we will join with our fellow church members, Bishop Joseph Latino and fellow Natchezians to dedicate our new center.

After the dedication, we will be truly honored by having Josh Blakesley share with us through his gift of music and ministry, beginning at 5 p.m.

This summer, I had the privilege of chaperoning our youth group to a wonderful weekend Catholic conference in Alexandria.

Not only did we get to listen to fellow Catholics share their love of God, we were blessed to have Josh Blakesley leading the music program during the conference.

His gift is truly God-given and listening to his praise music was truly spiritual.

I was deeply moved as I witnessed 2,500 youth worshipping on their knees during Mass.

I know for me and all the youth who attended, it was a very spiritual and life-changing experience, and we are excited to share a small part of it with others during the Family Life Center grand opening weekend.

We invite all our youth to join us for this truly special weekend.

 

Dr. Jennifer Russ is a member of St. Mary Catholic Church.