YOUNG WOMEN’S GROUP GEARING UP FOR SUMMER OF FAITH AND FELLOWSHIP

Summer usually means pool parties, sports, and other outdoor activities, but the young women of the Holy Family Area add in time together to grow in faith and fellowship amidst their busy schedules. Ann Voller, Area Coordinator of Faith Formation and Youth Ministry, holds a Young Women’s Group each summer. This year the group will continue their discussions on Discipleship and navigating the world as a young woman. All young women going into Grades 8 through 12 and graduating seniors are invited to attend.

St. Andrew’s parishioner Kaylee Hartke is a freshman. She attended the Young Women’s Group gatherings last year and will be back again this summer. In 2022, the group discussed the book, The Plans God Has for You: A Guide to Hope for Young Women by Amy Smith, which helped them look deeply at what God has in store for each of their lives.

Kaylee Hartke enjoyed being part of the Young Women’s Group last summer, and looks forward to participating once again this year.

helpful to hear other people’s thoughts.”

One valuable aspect of the group is the opportunity to meet other young women. Not everyone knew each other well, so this gathering was a chance to grow deeper in friendship with other students of faith. Last year, Kaylee got to know a few girls she may not have had the opportunity to know.

“I went because I wanted to learn and grow in faith,” she says. “This also gave me a chance to meet other girls who were also wanting to learn and grow in faith.”

Kaylee, who is also an altar server at St. Andrew’s, looks forward to another great summer with the Young Women’s Group. She walked away from the meetings with some great insight into her future.

“I liked the discussion questions,” Kaylee says. “That challenged my thinking and deepened my faith. It was

“The book we read was really relatable,” Kaylee says. “I would tell other young women to get involved if you enjoy having fun, laughing, and meeting new people.

“One of the main lessons I learned is that God has a plan for me, even when things are tough,” she adds.

This summer will be the group’s third year together. Ann started this because she noticed some teen girls were struggling and looking for meaning in friendships, sports, academics, dating, and social status. Beth Gilb coled the group.

“First, I wanted our teen girls to know that first and foremost, God loves them and has a beautiful plan for their lives,” Ann says. “Second, I wanted them to grow closer to the Lord, to know that their Baptism makes them daughters of our King and that we have an inheritance with Him. Lastly, the ways of the world will never fulfill the deepest longing in our hearts — only God can fill that.”

Ann is always impressed by the true friendships formed through this gathering and other youth events. She is also thankful for the opportunity for this summer gathering and looks forward to this summer. It’s amazing the impact this has had.

“I have seen beautiful friendships form that are true and good, but also available and accountable to one another,” she says. “By gathering together to discuss these topics through the eyes of our Lord, it gives our youth a chance to see that it is easier to go through challenges in life with others who are walking that same walk with you.”

For more information about the Young Women’s Group, contact Ann Voller at 320-226-5205 or areaffcoordinator@holyfamilyarea.org.

Kaylee Hartke enjoyed being part of the Young Women’s Group last summer, and looks forward to participating once again this year.