Orange: Youth Ministry at OLV Going Strong

(Orange, NJ – October 2) – On Friday, September 20, Our Lady of the Valley Parish (OLV) began its youth center program from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Over 80 young people attended under the supervision of 20 Seton Hall Dove volunteers, 15 youth animators, and members of the Salesian community. The program is under the leadership of Fr. Juan Pablo Rubio, youth minister, assisted by Br. Pascal Mukuye, a postnovice.

Also on Friday, September 20, we began our ESL program from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Over 30 adults were in attendance; they were animated by postnovice Br. John Taylor and eight Seton Hall Dove volunteers.

On Saturday, September 21, OLV began its oratory/CCD program. The program is designed to allow 45 minutes of recreational activities, followed by the students’ formal Christian Education program, followed by 30 more minutes of recreational activities before dismissal. The program lasts from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. We began this day with a student-parent orientation led by Karen Romero, our religious education director. Over 120 families were in attendance. Under her leadership, we now have 17 catechists and 11 youth animators. The overall program is directed by Fr. Juan Pablo Rubio, assisted by post-novice Br. John Taylor.

On Monday, September 23, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., our youth group held their first meeting with a bonfire and some faith sharing. Over 20 young people participated.

On Tuesday, September 24, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. our young adult group gathered for faith sharing and support.

In addition to these youth activities, a bilingual youth Mass is being planned for each month of this coming year.