PRAY AND PLAY
GROW IN FAITH | BE YOURSELF | HAVE FUN!
We are more than proud to announce our Youth Ministry at St. Colette: PRAY AND PLAY!
Inspired by one of Fr. Krizner’s visions for Corbie Hall, that it would be a place the kids could get away from the world and enjoy the company of faith in one another through open gym.
While sports will be an option, similar to Celebration, Pray and Play will focus on togetherness in faith and fun in fellowship in a safe, fun environment. We’re excited to see this idea realized through Matt and Jenn Lombardo. Tremendously faithful, they welcome all teens of the parish, 8th grade through high school to “take a break” and join us. Bring a friend! Come and See!
We’re also eager to bring our Confirmation Class to this safe, fun environment. This group is part of your preparation for the sacrament, and you must attend at least on class days! Click here for the Fall 2023 Schedule: Called to Witness/Called to Disciple
Meet Matt and Jenn!
Ministry Leaders for Pray and Play Youth Ministry
Why “Pray and Play”… a little history and about us!
Discipleship, a word I personally took for granted until I saw Fr. K live and breathe it. This was not a passive backseat “do as I say not as I do” motif either, but sometimes like the way the Lord speaks to his children. Though other times honest, direct, and vulnerable, like when Jesus flipped the money tables in the temple.
When Sara asked, I pen a lampstand to introduce myself and my role as Youth Ministry Leader, I knew it was non-negotiable. Not so much because I was afraid to say no, but inversely I knew it was a nudge from The Holy Spirit. Fr. Krizner made it known that he moved with the Spirit. Though his humble disposition always made things about others and not himself.
Fr K. rolled out Lampstand about a year back and for whatever reason I let it fall to the bottom of my to do list. Part of that stems from Fr’s directive: keep it simple, short, and send it in. Instead of executing and keeping it simple, time passed by and the more time passes when it pertains to small simple things, they tend to be magnified via fear,
procrastination, and doubt. Next thing you’re staring at a self-created mountain. Prayer and taking the time to be with the Lord can be like that at times too, unless we prioritize and tithe our time, talents, and treasures properly. I am not sure what the ratio is but when I start my day with the Lord in mental prayer, I am able to handle the mundane and sometimes more chaotic ebb and flow with his WILL as the navigation and my self-will is in the trunk where it belongs.
Fr. made me aware of that when he spoke at the inaugural Discipleship series earlier this year and candidly opened his heart. Looking back on it I can see he was passing along some of his hardest learned words of wisdom and dare I even say eulogizing himself right before our eyes. I tend to be more like Peter and can get in front of the Lord, be selfish and gird him all for myself, pitching some tents and calling it a day. The issue with that sort of thinking stems from the lack of
executing on the mission we are all called to do, and that is to make disciples. Fr made it very simple, “don’t overthink it, start with your own family,” he we often say. Fr. Even went so simple as to call Jesus his “buddy”, the friend he literally sits and talks to. He asked me how often I truly “talk” with Jesus… So why am I doing this… why my “lampstand” now?
Fr K was my buddy and he helped me get out of my own way and become buddies with Jesus. And he also put on my heart to look after his cherished Youth Ministry. And that’s our hope for Pray and Play. That you will learn what it means to be a disciple of Jesus through simplicity, and live it in your daily life… to carry your light in our church and world! Thank you for welcoming my wife Jenn and me to ministry at St. Colette. We’re so excited to be a part of this! See you at the next pray and play!
Contact
For more information please contact the parish office, 330-273-5500.
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