| Youth
take part in 30-hour fast
On the weekend of September 24-25, 22 youth from St. Mary’s Parish, participated in a 30-hour fast. This fast was to help youth experience the life of the less fortunate, not only in the third world countries, but our own backyard as well. This great venture was led by our wonderful youth leader Debbie Chicane. In our hours of fast we broke up into three tribal teams representing Colombia, Ecuador and Bolivia. In our groups we built our homes for the night out of cardboard boxes. We as tribe members begged for donations after Mass Saturday night, decorated candles that we sold to the parish and dressed up and did many re-enactments throughout the night. At the end of the night, Kris and Erika Shears were generous enough to spend their time to come and pray over the youth. This was an emotional time but also very uplifting time for all. We all had the experience of sleeping in our box homes for the evening and were up and ready at 6:15 to prepare for morning Mass to pass on our experience of fasting. After 30 hours of going without food, the youth were more than ready for breakfast after prayer. In the end everyone was able to come together and support one another, despite the distraction of hunger. These 22 teens chose to make a difference and help raise awareness of child poverty, when they could’ve been spending time at home or choosing activities that most teenagers enjoy. It was such an eye opening experience for us all and we will never forget. 
Team Ecuador-India Peery, Noelle Uhlenkott, Sabrina Lustig, Hayden Uhlenkott, Reid Uptmor, Tajh Branson and Kace Munger. 
Tribe Colombia-Tyler Robb, Devin Ross, Faith Uhlenkott, Damian Forsmann, Anna Kaschmitter, Luis Sampler-Flores and Alexis Hiler. 
Tribe Bolivia-Caleb McGee, Derik Shears, Anthony Karel, Sydnee Bruegeman, Conrad Duman, Kate Lustig and Emma Gehring. Not pictured but taking part in the Fast were Noah Arnzen, Brandon Latimer, Kyle Tillinghast, Sarah Seubert, Jack Duman, Debbie Chicane and Bentlee Skinner. Thanks to community support they raised $1800 for the less fortunate of the world. Photos by Debbie Chicane. |
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