Dear Friends, 

Hoping that you and your families enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving, filled with blessings. Please know how grateful I am for the gift of each one of you.

Special thanks to all who volunteered at our November service events! Through your great spirit and generosity, we collected over 130 winter coats for Jersey Cares and over 160 cups of cheer for our friends at the Mount Olive Manor. Thank you for kicking off the Season of Giving with such warmth and kindness!

As we enter into Advent, I invite you to embrace the joyful anticipation of the season and prepare for Christmas with SPARK Teen Ministry. NOW is the perfect time to set out on the journey of faith, friendship, and service.  Find the SPARK that lights your soul and become the SPARK that lights the world. See below for ways to make a difference this Advent!

Toy Drive: SPARK Teen Ministry will be sponsoring our annual Christmas Toy Drive, benefiting the children served by the Fr. English Center/Catholic Charities in Paterson.  As in the past, we will be collecting new, unwrapped toys for children of all ages after Masses on December 5/6 and December 12/13.  A truck will be stationed outside the church; kindly pack your donations in a plastic bag and then place directly in the truck.  Your kindness and generosity are always appreciated!

Bridges Outreach & Teen Mass:  Our December Teen Mass and Service Project are scheduled for Saturday, December 12.  For our service project, we will share lunches and prayers with neighbors in need through Bridges Outreach. While we can't gather to make the lunches as a group this time, families are invited to make lunches at home and drop off to St. E's.
Each lunch should include the following:

• Turkey Sandwich (Deli Turkey on White or Whole Wheat Bread - Please do not add cheese, condiments or vegetables; turkey on bread is perfect!)
• Cheese Stick
• Individual bag of chips
• Banana or Orange (no apples, please)
• Soft granola bar
• Water Bottle

Please pack the sandwich in a zip-lock bag and place all other items in a brown paper lunch bag. Kindly keep the sandwich separate from the brown lunch bag. While making the lunches, please wear a mask/gloves and pray for the person who will enjoy your meal. Kindly deliver all sandwiches and lunch bags to the St. E's Community Room on Saturday, 12/12 between 2pm-5pm.  For planning purposes, please sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0a4aabaf2da3fc1-bridges and indicate the number of lunches you would like to provide.

Teen Mass will begin at 5pm on 12/12, and will be livestreamed for virtual participation. Tune in live at 5pm on the parish Facebook page or anytime on Sunday on the homepage of our parish website. We will worship and pray together, even if apart! In-person attendance will be allowed on a limited capacity on first come basis; masks and social distancing will be required.

Teen Advisory Board Meeting:  The TAB will have an outdoor meeting on Sunday, December 13, from 2pm-3pm, weather permitting.  We will discuss plans and process the toy drive. Teens should wear a mask, bring a chair, and dress for the weather! All confirmed 11th and 12th graders are invited to participate in the TAB and take on a leadership role in SPARK Teen Ministry. Capacity is limited to 15 for now; save your spot by signing up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0a4aabaf2da3fc1-teen6 by 12/11.

Many thanks to all!  As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out any time. Wishing you and yours a blessed Advent, filled with peace, hope, joy, and love.  Stay well...God bless!

Peace,
Shannon

Shannon Jones
Youth Minister/Confirmation Coordinator
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Youth Ministry
Email: youth@stelizabethschurch.org

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