YOUTH GROUP Announcements
Sr - High School students Jr - 6th through 8th grades

 Upcoming Events

March:  

The Junior YG will be collecting Used Shoes* on March 8th & 9th and during the Tuesday, March 11^th Religious Ed. Classes.  Shoes will be donated to Catholic Charities. Collection containers will be in the classroom hallway. * Slightly used, odor-free Dress & Casual Shoes

March 14th - 16th: Youth Leadership Congress weekend (Diocese event)

March 21st (Good Friday): Living Stations of the Cross

April/May (dates and details to be announced):

Charity Bowling Party

Battle of the Bands:

Youth Group Stirring Up a SOUPER Project

On Super Bowl Weekend, a record 20 Youth organizations throughout the Diocese participated in the Souper Bowl of Caring project. The Souper Bowl of Caring, spelled S-O-U-P-E-R, is a non-profit national organization that “Stirs-up” the Youth of the country to help the less fortunate. Contributions totaling $13,706 were given to various charities in the Diocese of which St. Vincent DePaul Chapters received nearly $7,000 and the Cathedral Kitchen $2,000. St. Thomas More’s Youth Group led all participants by collecting $1,908; all donated to their Parish’s St. Vincent DePaul Society. Nationally, over $9 million dollars of contributions were collected. St. Thomas More’s efforts were shown on Channel 6 Action News and mentioned on KYW New Radio.

Pictured below are some members of the St. Thomas More (Cherry Hill) Youth Group.

“Educational Visit to a Mosque”

On a cold winter afternoon, the St. Thomas More Youth Group received a warm welcome from members of the South Jersey Islamic Mosque in Palmyra , NJ . The Youth Group in coordination with the Council of Islamic Relations and escorted by Monsignor Thomas Morgan visited the Mosque and listened to a presentation on Islam and its similarities to Christianity. The presentation included the meaning of Islam, the Qur’an, and the importance of Jesus and Mary to the Muslim Faith. The Youth Group heard many similar names and stories they learned about in their religious education classes: Adam & Eve, Moses, Noah, the Angel Gabriel and John the Baptist. The Presenter, Mrs. Naseem Badat, emphasized the importance of dialogue with the “People of the Book” (what the Qur’an calls People whose belief is based on the Bible or Torah). The St. Thomas More YG left with a new understanding and respect of the Islam Faith. (Below are the two Youth Groups) 

St. Thomas More Youth Group – Delivering Smiles

Their parents’ minivans loaded with toys, party supplies and breakfasts the St. Thomas More Youth Group made their annual trip from Cherry Hill to Holy Name in Camden to throw a Christmas party for the 1^st and 2^nd grade Religious Ed. children.  The Youth Group played games, made crafts, read stories and spent time with the Holy Name children.  Santa Claus even made an appearance. The children left with a new toy, party favors, and big smiles.

The Youth Group has visited Holy Name five times in the last four years. When the children of Holy Name were told that the Youth Group was coming according to Sister Claire Sullivan (Holy Name’s DRE) the children were so excited. Before the Youth Group embarked on their trip they discussed their plans to make this a special day for the Holy Name children. Sister Claire told the Youth Group that the children will remember this day because of the time they spent with them.

After many laughs, thank you’s and hugs the Youth Group, through the generosity of St. Thomas More’s Religious Education program was able to leave behind enough food and party supplies for Holy Name to have another party for children in the other grades. Youth Group President Chip Tagland, VP Ryan Bleaken (both have made this trip five times) and Jr. YG President Stan Thompson III stated how rewarding and fun it was to just to hang out with the children knowing that it made them smile.

PRESS RELEASE:

It was a dark and not so lonely night when the St. Thomas More (Cherry Hill) Youth Group visited Indian Acres in Medford for the annual Scary Hayride. Nearly 30 Jr. & Sr. Youth Group kids were driven through the haunted tree farm and came upon witches, chainsaw wheeling ghouls and UFO’s. That was just the beginning of the unusually warm evening’s adventures. The tractor pulled cart stopped to let the kids out and into the Farm’s eerie cornfield for many more surprises. The walk included a stroll through a not so peaceful graveyard, a spine-chilling boat junk yard and many lively ghosts waiting for our arrival. Then it was back on the hayride for a variety of performances by magicians, dancers and musically talented skeletons. The evening ended with hot dogs and snacks (too warm for a bonfire).

  This was the first event for many Junior Youth Groupers and the third visit for the High School students who enjoyed the new attractions the Farms provided. Funds raised at the September YG Car Wash deferred some of the evening’s cost. Thanks go out the adult chaperones Mrs. Campbell, Mrs. Tagland, and the Thompson’s. If you could not make it you missed a screaming good time, don’t miss out on future Youth Group events.

Lenten Team Work

The Ronald McDonald House is a non-profit facility that houses families of children from all over the world who require long-term medical care. The RMcDH is a home away from home for these families, providing a cheerful environment during a very difficult time. A Youth Group parent always thought that the Ronald McDonald House would be a wonderful project for the Youth Group.  The Camden facility is youth volunteer friendly however, they could not allow the Youth Group to prepare food in their kitchen.  

Meanwhile, a new member of the Women’s Club also desired to help at the Ronald McDonald House.  She presented the RMcDH idea to the members of the Women’s Club, but after preliminary discussions, it was thought to be difficult for the women to cook, serve and entertain the children at the House alone.  

What if the Women’s Club made the meal and the Youth Group served it and entertained the children? But what about the cost and, of course, driving into Camden does have its own challenges. Enter the St. Vincent DePaul Society men who funded the event and assisted with chaperoning the Youth Group.

Very early on a Saturday morning the Women’s Club made a fantastic pancake breakfast while the Youth Group served it and played games with the children at the Ronald McDonald House. It was a wonderfully rewarding experience for all. The breakfast was greatly appreciated by the adults staying at the House. It was a three-hour whirlwind of activity. A star high-school athlete lost many indoor big wheel races to a 4-year old girl recovering from eye surgery. Four Youth Group boys kept a 3-year old out of trouble by playing numerous versions of the game ‘Trouble’ with him. Adult chaperones were a welcomed sympathetic ear for the parents of the children receiving care at Cooper Hospital . A St. Vincent De Paul member arranged transportation for a new resident from Africa so she could attend services at the Church of her Faith. After the residents returned to their rooms, or to the Hospital, the St. Thomas More Team cleaned up and was given a tour of the House.

As many of us give something up for Lent these St. Thomas More Parishioners gave their time. Individually the Youth Group, Women’s Club and St. Vincent DePaul Society are wonderful organizations. Working together they were true examples of Christ.