Dear Teens,
It’s that time again where we begin to think about cooler temperatures, colorful leaves, hot chocolate and a new season.  I love the colors of Fall as they speak change and provide and invitation to embrace the beauty right before our eyes.  We have a lot of great opportunities in October for our youth to engage in their faith through worship, fasting, retreat, service, and prayer.  Please consider joining us in this month of greatness as we dive into our youth ministry process.
I will be heading to Lewiston on Tuesday, Oct. 4^th to meet with 2 college students to plan the 30 hour fast.  On Oct. 5^th at 7:00 p.m. at the Habit I will be meeting with my amazing adult Confirmation team to plan our blessing rite and mini retreat. Any High School teen interested in getting Confirmed can still sign up at the Church entrances.  More information will follow in the bulletin. 
On Oct. 7^th all youth and parents are invited to St. Mary’s for Adoration at 10:00 p.m. 
On Oct. 10^th all High School and Jr. High youth are invited to meet at St. Mary’s Parking lot at 3:30 to help with roadside clean up.  We will clean the stretch outside of Cottonwood and then head to Grangeville to Subway for dinner.  Please arrive on time so we can get the road cleaned before dark!
On Oct. 12^th the High School Encounter group will meet at St. Mary’s Church at 6:00 for dinner, followed by the session on God’s power and Authority and closing the door to the enemy . If you are interested in these monthly meetings and did not attend our first meeting, please call me for more information!
On Oct. 15 all High School youth are invited to join us at the Ferdinand Hall at 10:00 a.m. for our annual 30 Hour Fast.  You will be asked to bring $30.00 in donations and $10.00 for supplies.  You will need a sleeping bag and pillow and warm clothes for the night.  We will be asking for pledges at all the Masses.  All proceeds will go to Catholic Relief Services and World Vision to help our brother and sisters in need across the world!  Our fast will end with a breakfast at St. Mary’s following the 8:30 a.m. Mass.  You must fill out a green registration form prior to attending!  I am in need of adult help for both day and nighttime chaperoning.   Please, if you can help, let me know!  Thank you in advance for your donations and help!
The Coffee and Jesus group will meet at the Habit at 3:30 on Monday, Oct. 17^th.
We will have a Junior High Faith night on Oct. 19^th at St. Mary’s Church.  We will have pizza at 6:30 and our faith session will follow at 7:00.  All Junior High retreat forms are due back to me by Oct. 18^th and no later.  I need to get you registered!
   All Junior High and High School youth are invited to meet at St. Mary’s Church at 5:30 for trick or treating for canned food.  We will go throughout the communities collecting canned food for the food bank.  I am asking everyone to dress up in an appropriate costume.  We will have a contest as to shows up in the  best costume.  Prizes will be awarded for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place.  Our night will close with a dessert social.  Drivers are needed for this event!
On Oct. 26^th the High School youth will be heading to Lewiston to watch a movie.  We will be leaving at 5:00 p.m. sharp from the Church parking lot.  Please bring money for the movie and food on the way home.  I will cover the cost of the snacks at the movie.  Adult drivers are needed for this!
The Jr. High who are attending the retreat in Clarkston on Oct. 29^th will meet in the Church parking lot at 7:30 a.m.  We will spend the day at the retreat at Holy Family and will return around 7:30 p.m.  Please bring money for dinner.  Adult drivers would be greatly appreciated. (I will need the green registration form and $20.00 for cost by Oct. 18^th if your child plans on attending this event).
On Oct. 30^th we will have the Confirmation blessing rite and mini retreat at the 8:30 a.m. Mass at St. Mary’s. The retreat will follow with a breakfast for the candidates, which will begin at 10:00 a.m. All parents are asked to attend an information meeting at 12:30 p.m.  Thank you for giving us the opportunity to walk with your child on this beautiful journey of faith.  (The cost for Confirmation class is $35.00 which cover the Bible we will be using during our time together!)
May the blessings of this season fill you will with joy and peace,
In Christ,
Debbie