Mission: Jersey encourages teens to serve community
August 20, 2025 at 3:59 p.m.
Faith in action, fun with friends and philanthropic works were the watchwords for the eighth annual “Mission: Jersey” summer service retreat days sponsored by the diocesan Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries for teens in grades 8 through 12.
A total of 95 young Catholics participated in separate community-based service projects arranged and supervised by adult leaders and representatives from the three partner organizations: Seeds of Service, Brick, on July 8; Sacred Heart Parish, Trenton, on July 22, and Rising Treetop Camp, Oakhurst, on July 24. Each of the events began with orientation, icebreakers and prayer at designated parishes before arriving at the different project sites.
Gift of Self
Teens working at Seeds of Service aided staff and members of Visitation Parish’s St. Vincent de Paul Society in stocking food pantries, organizing clothing donations, tending community gardens and preparing blessing bags and sandwiches for homeless persons.
In Sacred Heart Parish, the youth worked with the parish’s food basket programs to sort donations, prepare baskets and frozen goods, and assist with guest intake and distribution.
At Rising Treetop Camp, participants led recreational activities such as arts and crafts, sports, music and nature studies for disabled adults and teens.
Teens at Seeds of Service relished the chance to meet new friends while helping others.
“Doing this helps me grow closer to God,” said Luca of St. Theresa Parish, Little Egg Harbor Twp., who helps at his parish’s food pantry. “Service feels good. I like that, instead of [staffers] telling me what to do, they are here with us.” Referring to the homemade greeting cards he tucked into each client’s food donation, Luca added, “It would be uplifting if they see it.”
Dan Waddington, left, director of the diocesan Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, and John DeSantis, right, business manager in Sacred Heart Parish, review the logistics of the day with the Mission: Jersey participants. Mike Ehrmann photoLuca’s fellow parishioner, Nicholas, also was happy to help assembling blessing bags with personal sized toiletries for those in need. “It was a lot of fun to meet new people,” Nicholas said. “Service is a great way to grow a loving relationship with God.”
Ashley of St. David the King Parish, Princeton Junction, had learned of the Mission: Jersey project through her father. “We talk a lot about people in need,” the teen said. “It opened my eyes to hear how many people are in need and how many we helped. Every time I help with little things, I know I will make them smile. You don’t know what they are going through. It deepens my faith.”
St. Dominic Parish, Brick, member Vincent admitted, “My mom is always pushing me to help. This was cool to see how much we can do for a community, see all people and give to those in heed. We are doing what God wants us to do.”
A Humbling Experience
Youth working in Sacred Heart Parish assisted with many aspects of the parish’s food basket programs – sorting donations, preparing baskets and frozen goods, and aiding with guest intake and distribution.
Alan of St. Joan of Arc Parish, Marlton, came to help as a member of the parish youth group. The exercise proved to be more than spending time with his friends, he noted. “When I help someone, I feel closer to God,” he said. “Some people are not fortunate enough to go to the grocery store every week for food. I hope when they get the food they smile and know someone is looking out for them.”
Evan, a fellow St. Joan of Arc member, added, “We talk a lot in youth group about helping others and being part of community and support them in giving what they need. I feel lucky I have the food that I need, and hope it all turns out well for them. It’s nice to work with the community and help others.”
This was the second time Caitlin of St. Isidore the Farmer Parish, New Egypt, attended Mission: Jersey and reflected this year’s program was more hands on. “I helped with intake for food, met clients, got their names. The experience is humbling; it was great helping people and showing them there is hope. We had a profound impact, we get to help others and see how much more fortunate you are. Knowing you are helping people and that they are going to get food today is really amazing.”
Dan Waddington, director of the diocesan Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, expressed his pleasure about the teens’ energy, good will and eagerness to aid their neighbors in need. He explained how this eighth year of the program differed from the past.
“They are not just doing prep work, but are handing items off directly to people in need,” Waddington began. “They can get a chance to meet the face of Christ in the faces of those they are serving. One of the blessings of Mission: Jersey is we have created the opportunity to put their faith into action… There is excitement and joy in their hearts, for they can serve God as they serve others. They learn how they can help with their family and friends on their own.”
He added, “During this Jubilee Year, Mission: Jersey has created the opportunity to put their faith into action. The theme is sharing hope; we see hope that lives in them and in every project. It is a prayer experience, an opportunity to see how God’s love lives in them and how to inspire that hope.”
“The excitement is high,” Waddington concluded. “It is inspiring how young people are willing to work and put their faith in action. This is not a generation that wants to sit back.”
Video interviews produced by the diocesan Department of Multimedia Production, were used for this story.
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August: Young Disciples
Parish youth ministry programs thriving, bring real value to young Catholics
At Mission: Jersey, teens spend time being of service to others
Friday, December 05, 2025
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Events
Faith in action, fun with friends and philanthropic works were the watchwords for the eighth annual “Mission: Jersey” summer service retreat days sponsored by the diocesan Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries for teens in grades 8 through 12.
A total of 95 young Catholics participated in separate community-based service projects arranged and supervised by adult leaders and representatives from the three partner organizations: Seeds of Service, Brick, on July 8; Sacred Heart Parish, Trenton, on July 22, and Rising Treetop Camp, Oakhurst, on July 24. Each of the events began with orientation, icebreakers and prayer at designated parishes before arriving at the different project sites.
Gift of Self
Teens working at Seeds of Service aided staff and members of Visitation Parish’s St. Vincent de Paul Society in stocking food pantries, organizing clothing donations, tending community gardens and preparing blessing bags and sandwiches for homeless persons.
In Sacred Heart Parish, the youth worked with the parish’s food basket programs to sort donations, prepare baskets and frozen goods, and assist with guest intake and distribution.
At Rising Treetop Camp, participants led recreational activities such as arts and crafts, sports, music and nature studies for disabled adults and teens.
Teens at Seeds of Service relished the chance to meet new friends while helping others.
“Doing this helps me grow closer to God,” said Luca of St. Theresa Parish, Little Egg Harbor Twp., who helps at his parish’s food pantry. “Service feels good. I like that, instead of [staffers] telling me what to do, they are here with us.” Referring to the homemade greeting cards he tucked into each client’s food donation, Luca added, “It would be uplifting if they see it.”
Dan Waddington, left, director of the diocesan Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, and John DeSantis, right, business manager in Sacred Heart Parish, review the logistics of the day with the Mission: Jersey participants. Mike Ehrmann photoLuca’s fellow parishioner, Nicholas, also was happy to help assembling blessing bags with personal sized toiletries for those in need. “It was a lot of fun to meet new people,” Nicholas said. “Service is a great way to grow a loving relationship with God.”
Ashley of St. David the King Parish, Princeton Junction, had learned of the Mission: Jersey project through her father. “We talk a lot about people in need,” the teen said. “It opened my eyes to hear how many people are in need and how many we helped. Every time I help with little things, I know I will make them smile. You don’t know what they are going through. It deepens my faith.”
St. Dominic Parish, Brick, member Vincent admitted, “My mom is always pushing me to help. This was cool to see how much we can do for a community, see all people and give to those in heed. We are doing what God wants us to do.”
A Humbling Experience
Youth working in Sacred Heart Parish assisted with many aspects of the parish’s food basket programs – sorting donations, preparing baskets and frozen goods, and aiding with guest intake and distribution.
Alan of St. Joan of Arc Parish, Marlton, came to help as a member of the parish youth group. The exercise proved to be more than spending time with his friends, he noted. “When I help someone, I feel closer to God,” he said. “Some people are not fortunate enough to go to the grocery store every week for food. I hope when they get the food they smile and know someone is looking out for them.”
Evan, a fellow St. Joan of Arc member, added, “We talk a lot in youth group about helping others and being part of community and support them in giving what they need. I feel lucky I have the food that I need, and hope it all turns out well for them. It’s nice to work with the community and help others.”
This was the second time Caitlin of St. Isidore the Farmer Parish, New Egypt, attended Mission: Jersey and reflected this year’s program was more hands on. “I helped with intake for food, met clients, got their names. The experience is humbling; it was great helping people and showing them there is hope. We had a profound impact, we get to help others and see how much more fortunate you are. Knowing you are helping people and that they are going to get food today is really amazing.”
Dan Waddington, director of the diocesan Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, expressed his pleasure about the teens’ energy, good will and eagerness to aid their neighbors in need. He explained how this eighth year of the program differed from the past.
“They are not just doing prep work, but are handing items off directly to people in need,” Waddington began. “They can get a chance to meet the face of Christ in the faces of those they are serving. One of the blessings of Mission: Jersey is we have created the opportunity to put their faith into action… There is excitement and joy in their hearts, for they can serve God as they serve others. They learn how they can help with their family and friends on their own.”
He added, “During this Jubilee Year, Mission: Jersey has created the opportunity to put their faith into action. The theme is sharing hope; we see hope that lives in them and in every project. It is a prayer experience, an opportunity to see how God’s love lives in them and how to inspire that hope.”
“The excitement is high,” Waddington concluded. “It is inspiring how young people are willing to work and put their faith in action. This is not a generation that wants to sit back.”
Video interviews produced by the diocesan Department of Multimedia Production, were used for this story.
The Church needs quality Catholic journalism now more than ever. Please consider supporting this work by signing up for a SUBSCRIPTION (click HERE) or making a DONATION to The Monitor (click HERE). Thank you for your support.