Teens from the youth ministry of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Whiting, were joined by youth from neighboring parishes during a Mocktail Party Oct. 15 in honor of the Blessed Mother.

Grouped in five teams of five, teens from the parishes of St. Pius X, Forked River, and St. Mary, Barnegat, worked with the Whiting youth to complete a challenge or answer questions about Our Lady in order to win ingredients to create a fruity, non-alcoholic mocktail.

For example, to earn orange juice for their beverage, each team picked two members to successfully walk an obstacle course while holding an orange between their backs without dropping it on the ground. To win ginger ale, the teams had to work together to transfer water from one bowl to another using only straws.

When it came to trivia, each team had to work together to answer the question, “How is prayer life like a pineapple?” to win pineapple juice. To earn sugar on the rim of their glass, the teens had to identify the title of Mary on their team sign. 

For the final challenge, each team had to name its mocktail. The winning name, Our Lady of Guavalupe, earned some sherbet to top off the team’s pitcher.

The “Challenge Round” offered teams the opportunity to earn ingredients they missed by answering a question about the Virgin Mary. Parents and youth leaders volunteered as judges and mocktail bartenders. The night of fun and faith was also attended by Father Pasquale Papalia, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton pastor, and Deacon Pete Downing, as well as Father James O’Neill, administrator in St. John Parish, Lakehurst.

“It was a great opportunity for our teens to connect with other Catholic teens,” said Lori Downing, youth ministry coordinator in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish. “They definitely had the opportunity to learn a little about our Blessed Mother, teamwork and to have some wholesome fun.

“I was very happy with the turnout and the enthusiasm and openness on the part of the youth groups to work with teens they hadn’t met before.”