On The Edge We hope everyone is enjoying the holiday weekend and keeps in mind the reason we’re celebrating.  Despite our shortcomings as a nation, we’ve made many great contributions, too.  It’s very easy to criticize things that, obviously, have not gone well, but it seems to take more character, at times, to acknowledge the good that happens.  As Catholics we are called upon to contribute to the betterment of our society.  At times this means having to make tough decisions. So many good things happen in our country, yet there exist challenges to the dignity and worth of the human person.  For example, abortion at just about any stage of development may be the law, it may be commonplace, but that doesn’t make it a wonderful commentary on our society (or a good response to a challenging situation).  A good resource on discernment for us is the U.S. Bishop’s statement, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship”. Another good reflection for us on this special celebration is to contemplate what does “liberty” and “freedom” mean for us?  Does this  “YOUTH GROUP CAR WASH FUNDRAISER” The St. Edith Youth Group is having a Car Wash Fund-Raiser! Saturday, August 1st 9 am until 3 pm Sunday, August 2nd noon until 3 pm All proceeds will go to helping out the parish youth program. Please come on by - we'll be in the parking lot! Thank-you!!! New to Youth Group?  Click here to learn more about us!  mean we have the “right” to do just anything we please? We live in an interesting society where it is easy to just “jump in the river and let the current take us along with everybody else” as far defining what rights, freedom, ethics and morality are.The USCCB website has some interesting reading on this, as well. We are called to be good, respectful and faithful citizens and we should be.We should be proud of our flag and what it stands for.We should not be naive, or ignorant citizens, though, and as Catholics, with a greater heritage of social justice teachings than most folks realize, we should draw upon it to make us the best possible citizen we can be. Time to sign up for the Tigers Game, coming up August 4th! (Information, Permission Form) For those on the Parish Youth Leadership Team please plan on a day of prayer and reflection for Tuesday, August 11th.  See you soon! National Catholic Youth Conference There are still some openings for anyone who wants to go the National Catholic Youth Conference this November.  We will leave the evening of Wednesday, November 18th and return on Sunday, November 22nd.  This is a great experience, but one we know presents some difficulty.  For some this would entail missing two days of school so extra planning is needed to cover classwork with teachers and all.  The cost ($465.00) is not a small amount, but it does include the conference registration, travel and three nights in the conference hotel.  Hopefully, the car wash and bake sale will help us lower this.  The upside is that this is one of those experiences you will carry with you.  This will give you a new perspective on your faith.  We will travel to Kansas City together as an Archdiocesan Group and stay in the same hotel. This is kind of like a RAINBOW for the entire country and is truly a great experience.  We will be going as a group from the Archdiocese of Detroit.  If you are interested please ask Deacon Ric, or Colleen about it.  To learn more about this event, click here! For a Registration Form, click here! Summer Happenings! Tiger Game - August 4th (Information, Permission Form) Car Wash Fund Raiser - August 1st and 2nd Check out the calendar as we will be adding more events throughout the summer! It's Coming!  World Youth Day!      World Youth Day is coming to Madrid!  For more information, click here!       Leadership Training Each summer the Archdiocese offers Youth Leadership Training.  These are good opportunities to enhance your communication, facilitation, planning and decision making skills.  There are two different workshops: one is an introduction and one is advanced leadership training.  We would especially encourage our teens who are on the Leadership Team, or those who are planning on it, to consider one of these.  The cost is $50.00 per person (there may be opportunities to offset this) and space is limited and registration on a first come first serve basis.  The first workshop is June 26th and 27th at Our Lady of Refuge in Orchard Lake.  Leadership training information Registration Packet Permission Form If you want more information, contact Deacon Ric, or Colleen at (734) 464-1222 as soon as possible. The St. Edith Leadership Team

Saint Edith Youth Group
mek@cu-village.com