My name is Mikayla Gypton and I’m the new youth minister for our three parishes. Growing up, I was the kid whose parents couldn’t make them go to youth group. I didn’t like trying to make new friends and I sure as heck didn’t like playing the games the youth leaders had planned. I was anxious and painfully introverted. I never thought I would have this job, but now it is by the grace of Jesus that I get to do this every day. I hope that I can make youth ministry spiritually rich as well as fun.
I grew up Christian, but converted to Catholicism during my second year of college in 2020. It was parishioners from our tri-parish Catholic community that helped me along my journey. I love my Catholic faith, and I love that I get to grow in it every day. There is still so much I have to learn. My prayer is that I am never satisfied.
Like I said, it is by the grace of Jesus that I get to work this job every day. I am continually blessed by being the youth minister for our three parishes. I currently offer a high school bible study every Tuesday and a middle school youth group that will be held every Thursday starting in September. Both of these are at Resurrection parish from 6:30 – 8:00pm. Both middle and high school groups gather with the Damascus missionaries the first two Sundays of the month for what is called “Upper Room”. This will begin October 2 and includes dinner, a lesson, and games. The third Sunday will be similar but for high schoolers only.
These events are open to youth from all three parishes. I don’t want it to feel like you’re joining a party already in progress. The location is open to change if circumstances dictate that it would be more beneficial to hold events elsewhere. For now they are at Resurrection parish because I didn’t want to burden parents with mixing too many things up at once. Every lesson is designed to help youth grow in community and learn more about the faith and what it means to live as a Catholic.
I have a simple request: pray, tell, send. Pray for the youth, for those in our parishes and in our schools, and for every child that faces the struggle of living in the world today. Pray for me, that God will continue to guide me in leading the youth. Pray for the volunteers, and that adult parishioners will support the needs of our youth so that we can form a more united family in Christ. Tell your kids about it, tell your grandkids about it, tell your friends about it. Finally, send them and any other youth you might know because we can all benefit from more time with Jesus.
Please join me in ministering to our youth. They need to see the community of believers making the effort to care for them. Along with your prayers, providing food from time to time makes a world of difference. They need to see Jesus in you! They need to see your love of God, faithfulness to Him, and your outreach to others. Please feel free to contact me by phone (520) 488-4226 or email at mikayla@resurrectionlexington.com.
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Fr. Miller
Pastor