Foundations 2020 Year in Review
Foundations quickly made the transition from in-person to virtual in March. We continued to host meetings twice a month virtually challenging one another in Kahoot games and talking with our small groups in breakout rooms. We had game nights, opportunities for prayer and reflection on Zoom, and put together a list of safe volunteer opportunities for families. We sent off 36 seniors, served in Chicago over the summer, and welcomed a freshmen class of 50. For the 2020-2021 year, families had the option of participating in a hybrid or virtual Foundations model. We continue to meet - listening to guest speakers, playing games, praying together, learning together, and spending time with our small groups.
Alleluia Prank Challenge
At the beginning of the pandemic to help alleviate some fear and spread Easter Joy, Foundations hosted an Alleluia Prank Challenge during the 50 days of Easter. Sixteen teens and young adult leaders participated in a bracket style prank challenge. Teens and leaders were paired against one another and had a week to complete their prank following guidelines to keep the challenge safe and fun. Our community then voted on Instagram for each match up to see which prankster would continue to the next round. In the end, junior Claire Corrigan was crowned the Alleluia Prank Challenge Winner!
Daytour
Each summer teens and young adults spend a week serving, living in community, and diving into their faith on Worktour. This year, we got creative and packed all the goodness of Worktour into a one day service experience we called Daytour! This summer 63 teens and 12 young adults participated in nine Daytours. We had the chance to serve right here in Chicago through a partnership with the Brother David Darst Center in the Bridgeport neighborhood. In the morning, we worked on an urban farm called Just Roots and spent the afternoon reflecting how we belong to one another and to God. They were beautiful days of community, service, and prayer.
Freshmen Adventure Day
In conjunction with Windy City Fieldhouse, we welcomed our Freshmen class. Thirty nine freshmen participated in a physically distant field day in Heritage Green Park. The Class of 2024 is full of energy and passion and we are excited to get to know them over the next four years!
Leader Retreat
This year Foundations has a team of 19 young adult leaders who make this ministry possible. The leaders gathered for an outdoor retreat at the beginning of the year. We spent the day reflecting on how we experience God and how we can invite teens to encounter God.
Chicago Help Initiative
Foundations has been working with Chicago Help Initiative to serve people experiencing hunger and homelessness in Chicago. Once a month, Foundations provides 100 meals. Families work to gather supplies and volunteers assemble the bagged meals.
Frosh/Soph Retreat
Foundations hosted its first virtual retreat in November with the help of a team of six sophomores and six adult leaders. Fifty-one brave freshmen and sophomores said yes to coming on retreat. Each participant received a retreat packet with all the goodies and supplies needed for a retreat. We spent the weekend reflecting on what characters we play and how we can better love our true selves - the self God created and loves like crazy. We listened to testimonies from our retreat leaders, designed our characters, shared some crazy things about ourselves, learned some dance moves, had an opportunity to gather for mass Saturday evening at Old St. Pat's, and spent time with our retreat groups. We were all a little surprised at how God still manages to show up and meet us where we are - even on Zoom!
Alleluia Prank Challenge
At the beginning of the pandemic to help alleviate some fear and spread Easter Joy, Foundations hosted an Alleluia Prank Challenge during the 50 days of Easter. Sixteen teens and young adult leaders participated in a bracket style prank challenge. Teens and leaders were paired against one another and had a week to complete their prank following guidelines to keep the challenge safe and fun. Our community then voted on Instagram for each match up to see which prankster would continue to the next round. In the end, junior Claire Corrigan was crowned the Alleluia Prank Challenge Winner!
Daytour
Each summer teens and young adults spend a week serving, living in community, and diving into their faith on Worktour. This year, we got creative and packed all the goodness of Worktour into a one day service experience we called Daytour! This summer 63 teens and 12 young adults participated in nine Daytours. We had the chance to serve right here in Chicago through a partnership with the Brother David Darst Center in the Bridgeport neighborhood. In the morning, we worked on an urban farm called Just Roots and spent the afternoon reflecting how we belong to one another and to God. They were beautiful days of community, service, and prayer.
Freshmen Adventure Day
In conjunction with Windy City Fieldhouse, we welcomed our Freshmen class. Thirty nine freshmen participated in a physically distant field day in Heritage Green Park. The Class of 2024 is full of energy and passion and we are excited to get to know them over the next four years!
Leader Retreat
This year Foundations has a team of 19 young adult leaders who make this ministry possible. The leaders gathered for an outdoor retreat at the beginning of the year. We spent the day reflecting on how we experience God and how we can invite teens to encounter God.
Chicago Help Initiative
Foundations has been working with Chicago Help Initiative to serve people experiencing hunger and homelessness in Chicago. Once a month, Foundations provides 100 meals. Families work to gather supplies and volunteers assemble the bagged meals.
Frosh/Soph Retreat
Foundations hosted its first virtual retreat in November with the help of a team of six sophomores and six adult leaders. Fifty-one brave freshmen and sophomores said yes to coming on retreat. Each participant received a retreat packet with all the goodies and supplies needed for a retreat. We spent the weekend reflecting on what characters we play and how we can better love our true selves - the self God created and loves like crazy. We listened to testimonies from our retreat leaders, designed our characters, shared some crazy things about ourselves, learned some dance moves, had an opportunity to gather for mass Saturday evening at Old St. Pat's, and spent time with our retreat groups. We were all a little surprised at how God still manages to show up and meet us where we are - even on Zoom!