05 Feb Fostering Faith & Fellowship: The St. Hilary of Poitiers Youth Formation Fund’s Influence on Youth Ministry
In the heart of the Central Lafourche area, a transformative initiative is making a significant impact on the spiritual lives of young people. Thanks to the St. Hilary of Poitiers Youth Formation Endowed Fund, established through the Catholic Foundation, youth formation efforts at St. Hilary are thriving like never before. This fund supports various programs and events designed to nurture the faith, foster fellowship, and encourage growth among local youth. Through the perpetual support for CFSL’s endowment, the vision of creating spaces for teens and children to deepen their relationship with God and build lasting community bonds is becoming a reality. Discover how the St. Hilary of Poitiers Youth Formation Fund is playing a key role in shaping the future of youth ministry in Central Lafourche, inspiring and equipping the next generation of committed leaders in faith.
Sarah Salinas, the Youth Formation Coordinator at St. Hilary of Raceland and St. Anthony of Gheens, reflects on her experience with the program:
“The St. Hilary Youth Fund has been instrumental in helping us relaunch our Youth Group in the Central Lafourche area. For years, it has been a dream of mine to create a space where teens can come together to worship and fellowship, and with the support of the St. Hilary Youth Fund and generous donations from our parishioners, that vision is now a reality.
So far, we’ve held four Youth Group nights this fall, with four more planned for the spring. The funds we’ve received from the Catholic Foundation have allowed us to provide food, snacks, decorations, props, games, and activities. We host two sessions each night to reach a wider age range: one for 5th through 7th graders, and another for 8th through 12th graders.
Each night includes dinner, a theme-related game, a talk on the theme, reflection time, live music from our worship band, prayer, and plenty of fellowship. Our first night was a huge success, drawing a turnout of 83 pre-teens and teens!
In addition to the Youth Group nights, we also host two elementary functions for younger kids, from Pre-K through 4th grade, to cover all age groups. We kicked things off with a Christmas party that featured Santa, games, and lots of fun. We’re looking forward to having an Easter-themed gathering as well.
These gatherings are essential, as our teens and younger children alike are eager to grow in their relationship with the Lord and experience the love and connection of a supportive community. We’re excited to see them ignite a spark in the Central Lafourche area.”
If you’d like to learn more about how you can support the St. Hilary Youth Fund, contact Amy Ponson, CEO at 985-850-3116 or aponson@htdiocese.org, or make a contribution at https://cfsla.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1158.