
There are many ways for our youth to serve others during the upcoming season of Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas! Here are some highlights:
SERVICE SATURDAY - Saturday, November 14, 1 - 4pm
What: A parish day of service supporting the homebound, homeless and others needing to be reminded of God’s loving spirit. Teens are invited to lead service stations or help in other ways – Sign up HERE.
Where: Good Shepherd
Contact: Pooja Krumenacker, poojakrum@gmail.com
HOMELESS FOR A NIGHT CAMPOUT* -
Saturday, November 14 - Sunday, November 15
What: Ever wonder what it’s like to be homeless? Teens gather for a cardboard shelter-making competition; shelters are slept in later that night in solidarity with our homeless brothers and sisters. The Campout also includes Mass, dinner, and a presentation on Homelessness. Information and permission forms are on the Youth Ministry page.
Where: Good Shepherd
Contact: Miguel de Angel, Miguel@gs-cc.org, 703-780-4055
*Note: Although this is an awareness-raising event vs. a direct service opportunity, 2nd Year Confirmation Candidates may credit 3 hours of their time spent at the Campout to a Pentecost Project dedicated to Helping the Homeless.
OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CELEBRATION - Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22
What: Help at this annual celebration to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary on the feast of “Our Lady, Queen of Peace,” Patroness of San Miguel, El Salvador. Teens are invited to set up, serve, and clean up at the reception and food sale following the 2pm Mass.
Where: Good Shepherd
Contact: Leah Tenorio, Leah@gs-cc.org, 703-780-4055
CHILDREN’S NATIVITY PARTY - Saturday, December 5, 9 - 11am
What: “Elves” are needed to serve food to children and their families.
Where: Knights of Columbus Hall, 8592 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, 22309
Contact: Kristy Reese, Kristyb220@hotmail.com
JOURNEY TO THE MANGER - Saturday, December 5, 6 - 8pm
What: A fun, VBS-style family event where families reenact the Holy Family’s arrival to Bethlehem and journey to the manger where Jesus is born. Teens are invited to help with a variety of jobs, such as running the shops and acting in the drama roles.
Where: Good Shepherd
Contact: Christina or Stacy, RE@gs-cc.org
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CELEBRATION - Friday, December 12
What: Help at this annual celebration to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of Mexico and of the Americas, on her feast day. Jobs include decorating and helping to set up/serve/clean up refreshments.
When: Church and Hall decorating on Thursday, December 11; set up/serving/clean up on Friday, December 12 (5am and/or 7pm)
Where: Good Shepherd
Contact: Leah Tenorio, Leah@gs-cc.org, 703-780-4055
WRAP-IT-UP! - Saturday, December 19, 9am - 2pm
What: A gift-wrapping fundraiser to benefit Alice’s Kids, a local non-profit that provides short-term financial assistance to children and teens who have an immediate need. Teens wrap gifts brought by community members in exchange for a donation to Alice’s Kids. Sign up HERE.
Where: Good Shepherd
Contact: Amy McCarty, amy.mccarty@verizon.net
DECORATE FOR ADVENT
What: Help to decorate the church, Hall, and Commons for Advent and Christmas.
When: dates TBA
Where: Good Shepherd
Contact: Anne Shingler, anne@gs-cc.org; Leah Tenorio, Leah@gs-cc.org (for Nativity Scene in the Commons)
VENTURES IN COMMUNITY HYPOTHERMIA OUTREACH PROGRAM (VIC-HOP)
What: Ventures in Community (VIC) adult volunteer teams provide evening food and shelter at Rising Hope Shelter for up to 25 men and women who might otherwise sleep in the cold. Teens can help in several ways, such as making dinner to drop off for clients to eat while at the shelter, making breakfast bags for clients to take with them after leaving the shelter, or initiating a drive to collect warm socks to donate to the shelter. Sign up HERE.
When: December - March
Where: Rising Hope Shelter, 8220 Russell Road, Alexandria 22309
Contact: Susan Grunder, Susan@gs-cc.org, 703-780-4055
Check out the MSHS Guide to Teen Volunteer Opportunities for more ways to love and serve throughout the year!
SERVICE SATURDAY - Saturday, November 14, 1 - 4pm
What: A parish day of service supporting the homebound, homeless and others needing to be reminded of God’s loving spirit. Teens are invited to lead service stations or help in other ways – Sign up HERE.
Where: Good Shepherd
Contact: Pooja Krumenacker, poojakrum@gmail.com
HOMELESS FOR A NIGHT CAMPOUT* -
Saturday, November 14 - Sunday, November 15
What: Ever wonder what it’s like to be homeless? Teens gather for a cardboard shelter-making competition; shelters are slept in later that night in solidarity with our homeless brothers and sisters. The Campout also includes Mass, dinner, and a presentation on Homelessness. Information and permission forms are on the Youth Ministry page.
Where: Good Shepherd
Contact: Miguel de Angel, Miguel@gs-cc.org, 703-780-4055
*Note: Although this is an awareness-raising event vs. a direct service opportunity, 2nd Year Confirmation Candidates may credit 3 hours of their time spent at the Campout to a Pentecost Project dedicated to Helping the Homeless.
OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CELEBRATION - Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22
What: Help at this annual celebration to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary on the feast of “Our Lady, Queen of Peace,” Patroness of San Miguel, El Salvador. Teens are invited to set up, serve, and clean up at the reception and food sale following the 2pm Mass.
Where: Good Shepherd
Contact: Leah Tenorio, Leah@gs-cc.org, 703-780-4055
CHILDREN’S NATIVITY PARTY - Saturday, December 5, 9 - 11am
What: “Elves” are needed to serve food to children and their families.
Where: Knights of Columbus Hall, 8592 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, 22309
Contact: Kristy Reese, Kristyb220@hotmail.com
JOURNEY TO THE MANGER - Saturday, December 5, 6 - 8pm
What: A fun, VBS-style family event where families reenact the Holy Family’s arrival to Bethlehem and journey to the manger where Jesus is born. Teens are invited to help with a variety of jobs, such as running the shops and acting in the drama roles.
Where: Good Shepherd
Contact: Christina or Stacy, RE@gs-cc.org
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CELEBRATION - Friday, December 12
What: Help at this annual celebration to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of Mexico and of the Americas, on her feast day. Jobs include decorating and helping to set up/serve/clean up refreshments.
When: Church and Hall decorating on Thursday, December 11; set up/serving/clean up on Friday, December 12 (5am and/or 7pm)
Where: Good Shepherd
Contact: Leah Tenorio, Leah@gs-cc.org, 703-780-4055
WRAP-IT-UP! - Saturday, December 19, 9am - 2pm
What: A gift-wrapping fundraiser to benefit Alice’s Kids, a local non-profit that provides short-term financial assistance to children and teens who have an immediate need. Teens wrap gifts brought by community members in exchange for a donation to Alice’s Kids. Sign up HERE.
Where: Good Shepherd
Contact: Amy McCarty, amy.mccarty@verizon.net
DECORATE FOR ADVENT
What: Help to decorate the church, Hall, and Commons for Advent and Christmas.
When: dates TBA
Where: Good Shepherd
Contact: Anne Shingler, anne@gs-cc.org; Leah Tenorio, Leah@gs-cc.org (for Nativity Scene in the Commons)
VENTURES IN COMMUNITY HYPOTHERMIA OUTREACH PROGRAM (VIC-HOP)
What: Ventures in Community (VIC) adult volunteer teams provide evening food and shelter at Rising Hope Shelter for up to 25 men and women who might otherwise sleep in the cold. Teens can help in several ways, such as making dinner to drop off for clients to eat while at the shelter, making breakfast bags for clients to take with them after leaving the shelter, or initiating a drive to collect warm socks to donate to the shelter. Sign up HERE.
When: December - March
Where: Rising Hope Shelter, 8220 Russell Road, Alexandria 22309
Contact: Susan Grunder, Susan@gs-cc.org, 703-780-4055
Check out the MSHS Guide to Teen Volunteer Opportunities for more ways to love and serve throughout the year!