December 31, 2025

Young people shine the light of Christ this season

REGIONAL
Staff report

SPRINGFIELD – From making blessing bags for the homeless, to Christmas caroling for senior citizens, to running an Advent retreat, youth across the Diocese of Springfield witnessed to the love and mercy of Christ this Christmas season.

The Diocesan Youth Team led their annual Advent retreat Dec. 13 at St. Mary Parish in Westfield. Despite a power outage at the beginning of the evening, the youth ambassadors were still able to shine the light of Christ in the darkness.

“The youth team decided on the theme ‘Light in the Darkness’ at our beginning of the year retreat back in September. God took it literally and we were without power for the first few hours, relying on all the battery powered candles we could find, but what a beautiful opportunity it was for the kids to experience life without electricity, life without tech,” said Joe Austin, the director of the Office of Missionary Discipleship, which runs youth ministry.

“It sounds like the culprit for the power outage was a group of squirrels who ate through some important electrical systems. It’s amazing to think that a few squirrels can shut down all the tech we hold so dear, but what a witness to the kids about the reality that exists beyond the digital. Apart from the challenges, it was an incredible retreat. The talks were so inspiring and we debuted our new youth team band, who played during the Adoration time, which we designed as a throw back to the Youth 2000 era with a big display of candles and the monstrance in the middle of the gym. It was a very special night all around and an event I know many will remember for a long time,” he said.

Several teenagers from St. Elizabeth Parish in Ludlow attended the Advent retreat. Their youth group was busy later in the month putting together 150 blessing bags for the homeless, just days before Christmas. They also made more than 100 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches which were donated to the Rescue Mission in Springfield with the blessing bags, Dec. 22.

Lucas Franco and Niko Coelho, two young adults from St. Elizabeth Parish, organized the service project for St. Elizabeth’s youth ministry.

“Niko, a sophomore at Springfield College has been a lector at St. Elizabeth’s for several years, and this past year joined our youth ministry team as a Core team member. Lucas, a freshman at WNUE, has recently joined our core team and was the mastermind behind the project,” said Lisa Saloio, the director of high school faith formation and youth ministry at St. Elizabeth Parish.

“He came up with the idea, advertised, solicited donations, and went shopping for items we were lacking. While in the dollar tree he mentioned that his purchase was for blessing bags, and someone in line paid for his order,” she said.

Both young men are attending the SEEK conference in Columbus, Ohio, Jan. 1-5.

“I know there are many people struggling to make ends meet within the community. I thought this was a great way to help those in need this holiday season. We often take many basic necessities we have for granted. This is a simple way to show kindness, help my community and let people know they are cared for,” said Lucas Franco.

In Wilbraham, a group of 38 teenagers set out on Dec. 21 to Christmas carol at the Wilbraham police and fire departments, as well as at the homes of elderly parishioners and at the homes of those who are sick. The St. Cecilia’s Youth group has made the Christmas caroling event a tradition. They made eight stops in all, with a caravan of cars in tow.

“It is always very special to do our Christmas caroling event. The people we sing for, especially the senior citizens, are so happy when they see us coming. They usually sing with us. And we especially want to let the police and fire departments know how grateful we are for their service and we know they risk their lives to protect us, so it’s the least we can do,” said Mary Kate McGrath, a member of St. Cecilia youth group and junior at Pope Francis Preparatory School in Springfield.

The Matthew 5 Berkshire County Youth Group was also busy with service projects before Christmas.

“We packed boxes for Samaritan’s Purse’s Operation Christmas Child. We also helped organize and host a Cookie Walk to benefit our New Genesis Ministry. This amazing ministry brings together individuals of different abilities living at home or in group residences who experience significant isolation from their surrounding communities,” said Marya Makuc, Marya Makuc, youth minister at St. Ann in Lenox, St. Vincent de Paul in Lenox Dale, and St. Patrick Parish in West Stockbridge.

The youth group also sang Christmas carols at a local nursing home, made a pilgrimage to Our Lady of La Salette Shrine for the Festival of Lights. They will host their Epiphany Pageant this weekend.

A Diocesan Youth Rally with Bishop William D. Byrne will be held March 7 at Pope Francis Preparatory School in Springfield. To learn more, go to westernmasscatholic.org