The MYP held its Opening Day event on Sunday, September 26, 2021, over Zoom conferencing. The team was Cathy Bischoff Weinbaum, Diana Roach, Dina DePaola, Jean Bena Pedri and Eileen Haggerty. The event was rectored by Tom Leavens.
The theme for the Day was based on the MYP theme for the year: “Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it.” The icebreaker asked the teens to create a “Rise Up” slogan by completing the following phrase: “We Rise Up When ____________________.” Some of the answers were, “a friend is in need,” “we believe,” we choose to live our faith,” “we stumble,” need to figure something out,” “we stand up for others,” and “we listen with our hearts.” Eileen Haggerty gave a talk around the challenges in her life (some over the last few months) and how her faith has helped her to “rise up.” The teens had a discussion about their own challenges, and then were asked to create a poster around the theme. The evening concluded with a prayer service inspired by “A Prayer for Strength When Weary,” by Rebecca Barlow Jordan. The response to the intentions was, “With my eyes on you, Lord, with you walking beside me, working through me, I can make it. Thank you, Lord!”
The event was a great way to start the year. Although we are still meeting over video conferencing, we hope to find opportunities to gather in person over the 2021-2022. Also, we hope to be welcomed to recruit new teens to join us. Please let us know if we can share the MYP with the teens in your lives and your parish/school communities!