Teens from eighth grade through just-graduated high schoolers from across the Diocese are invited once again to participate in Mission: Jersey – four one-day in-person service events throughout the summer that seek to involve young Catholics in serving their wider community.
Each county will host a service event from about 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on different dates and locations, as follows:
Burlington: July 25, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, 236 East Main Street, Maple Shade
Ocean: July 27, Visitation Parish, 730 Lynnwood Ave., Brick
Mercer: Aug 1, Location TBA (Trenton area)
Monmouth: Aug. 3, St. Rose of Lima Parish, 16 Mc Lean Street, Freehold
Service days will begin at each parish location with orientation, icebreakers and prayer before traveling to a worksite for the day. All participants will learn about the projects they will be a part of and how they serve the community.
“Projects will be arranged and supervised by adult leaders and representatives from the organizations we partner with,” explained Daniel Waddington, director of the diocesan Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries. “Our day will also include prayer, making new friends, games and more! It will very much be a service ‘retreat.’”
Space is limited and registration is required. Youth ministers can register teens as a parish group, or parents can register individuals using the registration form available at https://dioceseoftrenton.org/missionjersey. Those who are not part of a group are still welcome; adult chaperones from the Diocese and local parish will be on site for supervision. All chaperones and adult leaders have completed safe environment training and have been fingerprinted.
Participants should wear closed-toed shoes, and bring a bagged lunch, water bottle and signed release form, as well a $10 donation per person to help offset cost of project materials.
For questions, email dotyouth@dioceseoftrenton.org, or call 609-403-7140.