Director of Youth Ministry Bids Thankful Farewell
The following letter is from Arielle Joaquin, OLW”s Director of Youth Ministry, who is stepping down at the end of the month (as was previously announced).
To the Wayside parishioners:
I want to thank you all as a parish for allowing the youth ministry to grow here. Thank you for all of the support and love that you have given to the teens that have gone through this ministry! It did not go unnoticed and the teens are so blessed to have a community of people that support them in their faith.
To the parish staff:
Thank you all for being so supportive. Thank you for walking with me and letting me grow in this space of ministry. Thank you for always being willing to serve the teens and for always saying Yes to the betterment of their faith. I am so grateful to have been a part of a staff that loves and is so devoted to the spiritual growth of the youth. You have all allowed me to feel God’s love through your actions, your warmth, and your servanthood.
To the teens:
You are all so incredible. Thank you for showing me what it means to seek God with joy and excitement. It has been so beautiful to see you all grow closer to God throughout my time here. All the times that I’ve seen you all pray, adore, fellowship, and learn throughout the years have been glimpses of Heaven for me and I am so honored to have been a part of your faith journey. I see God and Momma Mary in every single one of you, so thank you for imaging God into my life every week – I love you all!
To the adult volunteers:
I can’t adequately express just how special you all are to me, to this ministry, to the teens, and to this parish. Thank you for everything you do for this ministry. Thank you for every talk you’ve given, every icebreaker you’ve led, every small group that you’ve been a beacon of hope in. Thank you for every silly joke, for every tear you’ve shed, for every moment you’ve lent a listening ear. These kids are all so blessed to have you in their lives! You all perfectly portray servant leadership. Thank you for teaching me, for walking with me, and supporting me. My love for y’all literally knows no bounds.
To Fr. Artur:
I am so grateful for all of your unwavering support of this ministry. Thank you for always fighting for these teens’ faith by offering your service whenever they needed it. From the moment you got here, I knew that our teens were loved by you. Thank you for all the ways that you’ve supported me during my time here. You feel like a sense of home to me, so thank you for being a pastor that holds this parish so close and cares so deeply.
As I pursue the different callings that God has for me, I am forever grateful for my time at Wayside – praise God!
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam,
Arielle Joaquin
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