For the past three and a half years, the youth ministry at Saint Katharine Drexel Parish has been a second home for 17-year-old Ian Paradela. Here, he has not only cultivated fruitful relationships with his peers, he also has found a sense of identity and leadership rooted in Jesus Christ.
“I’ve discovered that I love service, including planting and harvesting vegetables to feed the hungry, and sharing the faith with seventh- and eighth-graders,” the religious education teacher said.
Now, Paradela looks to share the Good News he’s found in a bigger way, as he and his fellow youth ministry members have helped plan the Dream On Youth Festival set for July 19 at the Egg Harbor Township parish. The festival, which will run from 5 to 9 p.m., is open to young people ages 13 up to college-age. The evening will include live music, carnival games, food, face painting, dancing and more.
“I want this to be the best possible thing for youth, and have them know that God is with them,” Paradela said.
Since last fall, he and nine other teens, along with their 10 adult mentors, have been preparing for the festival under the guidance of Millet LoCosale, the parish’s youth minister. LoCosale said the event will be an opportunity for area youth to come together and for the parish’s young Church to “be instruments of change.”
The initiative began after the parish’s young people returned from the National Catholic Youth Conference held in November in Indianapolis. Energized by three days of witness, music and worship with 13,000 others from across the nation, the Saint Katharine Drexel Parish group sought to replicate the event closer to home.
Over the past several months, the youth have taken ownership of the festival planning committees, LoCosale said. The teens have also visited businesses to get advertising for the event.
Sarah Wickham, an adult mentor for the Marketing/Sponsorship and Communications Committee, added that the youth “have taken a lead in building graphics for Facebook and Instagram pages to promote the event, and have created sponsorship packages.”
Her committee meets once a week, and all are excited for what they hope is an annual event, she said.
“It’s the first event of its kind [at the parish] that youth have had an opportunity to spearhead to reach their peers,” Wickham continued, adding that she is pleased to see the youth engaged and becoming leaders. “As the next generation of the Church, they are owning their faith. They are a bridge to their peers to bring them to the faith.”
At the same time, the youth’s efforts are an opportunity “for the adult mentors working with them to see how they think and what their ideas for the Church are,” she said.
Paradela has not only been appreciating the opportunity to plan the event, but to learn new skills that he might utilize later in life. As a member of the festival’s Finance Committee, he has learned more about organization, as well as creating a budget and approximating costs while allowing flexibility for any variables to the bottom line, he said.
Adding to the fun of the event: Father Joselito Ramos, AM, parish pastor, and Father Renante Orain, AM, parochial vicar, have each agreed to be pied in the face by the highest bidder at the festival.
“For them to be willing to do that is a testament to their support for this,” LoCosale said with a laugh.
Looking toward to July 19, LoCosale knows the Dream On Youth Festival promises to be a transformative evening of welcome and engagement. “The youth are letting their peers know that the Church is still here and its doors are open.”
The Saint Katharine Drexel Parish Dream On Youth Festival will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. July 19 on the church property at 6075 West Jersey Ave., Egg Harbor Township. Tickets are available for $10 after weekend Masses up until the event; they will be $15 at the door. The tickets include access to all games.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call Millet LoCosale at 609-798-1277.
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