Our teenagers are open to-

One of the great successes in the Church community is our youth group, called Teens for Christ.

On any given Wednesday evening approximately 80 teens attend the get together which includes dinner -usually pizza, socializing, praising the Lord by singing together -progressive Christian music, charismatic style prayer, and more traditional Catholic devotional prayer. As well as a talk, class, or presentation.

The meetings are held in English, and if there are any teenagers who speak Spanish or Creole, they are made welcome, and eventually settle into the group, and pick up English quickly.

The teens meet in Sanders' Hall.  It is not much of a hall - it is old, and broken down, it is small, and even has mice!  But no one minds too much, and most feel an affection for the space, because it is the original Church building in Immokalee.

One of the adult leaders shares thoughts about faith, life in Christ, and love.  The adults who are involved in the teen group work very hard to ensure the program is always meaningful, that there are good classes and speakers.  They help to give the program structure, and keep the young people "on task."

Above, a guest speaker, Dr. V. and Fr. Patrick pose for a photo after a great Wednesday night with the teens.

living lives of holiness in Immokalee!

The teens, with the adults, help to run the group, they help decide on topics for class and discussion, act as prayer leaders, take turns giving spiritual reflections, and play musical instruments and sing for their peers - various religious songs. There is not always a lot to do in a small town like Immokalee, but teens still make a sacrifice to come to Church each Wednesday - though they really like coming!

It is a good place for teens to come.  It is very hard to be a teen in a multi-cultural community.  Often, their parents are from other countries, speak different languages, have very different customs, and have different expectations for their teenagers than most "Anglo" parents.  The teenager must learn to balance and integrate their "old world" home-life, with the outside life of being an American.

Here, teens meet adults who understand them, and peers who face the same struggles at home and in school. 

They discover that their faith in the Lord Jesus is fun and joyful, and something to be proud of and celebrate.

Dr. Melanio Villarosa, pictured above with two children, is a second generation American (his family came from the Philippines) and is a local doctor of Pediatrics, here in Immokalee.  He has chosen to live a simple life in service to the Lord, working as a doctor in a poor town and helping at his Church.  He runs the teen group, with the help of several other adults.  Many of the young men and women in the teen group were and are his patients.  He shares a special bond with these children - he has seen grow up.  He has cared for their physical needs, and now sees to their spiritual needs as well.

We love Dr. V!

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