By Thomas Wiedmann | Correspondent
Teens looking to share in the camaraderie of faith while serving God by helping others are invited to take part in the upcoming summer Splash event, the Diocese’s annual community service experience.
Sponsored by the diocesan Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, the daylong retreat provides youth with an opportunity to participate in worksite service projects. This year’s event will be held July 25 at St. Catharine School, Spring Lake. The day’s schedule from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. will include prayer, discussion, free time on the beach, dinner and the celebration of Mass outdoors.
“We’ll be focusing on what it means to be of service in the Church,” said Cristina Imparato, ministry assistant in the Department of Evangelization and Family Life. “We’re teaching them [the students] to go out and to be the voice of Christ – to be the hands and feet of Christ, and to be merciful and compassionate.”
Splash takes the initiative to get students in grades eight through 12 involved with service projects and gives them the chance to live outside of themselves and to serve together, Imparato said.
“The biggest thing is ‘community.’ The kids get to be together from all walks of life in the Diocese,” Imparato said.
With Splash being strongly rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, Imparato encourages students to get involved and participate in the day’s events to experience what the Church has to offer.
“We’re hoping with this invitation we’re giving them that they’ll continue to look for more so they can go out and ask questions – to seek what the Catholic Church truly teaches,” she said.
Those planning on participating in Splash are encouraged to eat breakfast before arriving at St. Catharine School and must bring a bagged lunch. There will be no swimming at the beach due to no scheduled lifeguard after 4 p.m.
The cost for the event is $20, and prior registration is required. To register, visit https://dioceseoftrenton.org/splash.
For more information, contact Jerry Wutkowski, diocesan assistant coordinator of young adult ministry, at gwutko@dioceseoftrenton.org or 609-403-7182.
St. Catharine School is located at 301 2nd Ave, Spring Lake.