Maple Shade parish works to expand youth group
August 22, 2025 at 11:31 a.m.
Several ideas are in the works to attract young parishioners to the high school youth group at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Maple Shade.
John Napoli, faith formation pastoral associate, said one idea is to invite eighth graders to join the group. Having youth group members visit their younger counterparts during religious education classes, he said, offers opportunities for “casual conversations where the eighth graders get to know what the youth group is all about.”
Another way to generate youth involvement in the parish is through service projects, Napoli said. He identified several opportunities in which the young people are actively involved: the clothing drives held each spring and fall; the bake sale; and the “Drop ’n’ Shop” event, in which families attend Mass together and, afterward, the parish members watch the children while the parents go shopping, out to dinner or enjoy another activity.
He said speakers that have addressed youth group members have made an impact on the young parishioners. Speakers have included a person dealing with an addiction who struggled, then decided he wanted to return to church.
Napoli said he shared his own conversion story following his experience with epilepsy. In his prayer with God, Napoli said he asked “to see my kids grow up; that one day I want to walk my daughter down the aisle,” and if it’s meant to be, “I want to meet my future grandchildren.”
“I haven’t had a seizure since that conversation,” he said.
Local bankers have taught young people about financial responsibility, he said, and two of his own children spoke about their career goals and college experiences.
Napoli said he hopes to have Our Lady of Perpetual Help’s youth group join with other parish youth groups from around Burlington County.
The idea is an offshoot of the recently formed Southern Burlington County Young Adult Group, for those who are between 18 and 39 years old, he said.
“It’s my hope to try and do something similar,” he said, adding that if parish collaboration “worked for the young adults, I’d like to think it would work for the youth group, too.”
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Several ideas are in the works to attract young parishioners to the high school youth group at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Maple Shade.
John Napoli, faith formation pastoral associate, said one idea is to invite eighth graders to join the group. Having youth group members visit their younger counterparts during religious education classes, he said, offers opportunities for “casual conversations where the eighth graders get to know what the youth group is all about.”
Another way to generate youth involvement in the parish is through service projects, Napoli said. He identified several opportunities in which the young people are actively involved: the clothing drives held each spring and fall; the bake sale; and the “Drop ’n’ Shop” event, in which families attend Mass together and, afterward, the parish members watch the children while the parents go shopping, out to dinner or enjoy another activity.
He said speakers that have addressed youth group members have made an impact on the young parishioners. Speakers have included a person dealing with an addiction who struggled, then decided he wanted to return to church.
Napoli said he shared his own conversion story following his experience with epilepsy. In his prayer with God, Napoli said he asked “to see my kids grow up; that one day I want to walk my daughter down the aisle,” and if it’s meant to be, “I want to meet my future grandchildren.”
“I haven’t had a seizure since that conversation,” he said.
Local bankers have taught young people about financial responsibility, he said, and two of his own children spoke about their career goals and college experiences.
Napoli said he hopes to have Our Lady of Perpetual Help’s youth group join with other parish youth groups from around Burlington County.
The idea is an offshoot of the recently formed Southern Burlington County Young Adult Group, for those who are between 18 and 39 years old, he said.
“It’s my hope to try and do something similar,” he said, adding that if parish collaboration “worked for the young adults, I’d like to think it would work for the youth group, too.”