The Program
Our Mission
Serve the youth and families of the Eternal Flame Catholic Community
Our ministry is located out of and supported by the Eternal Flame Family of Parishes. We cannot say how incredibly grateful we are to the people of these communities for supporting our ministry. We want nothing more than the opportunity to serve this community and their needs.
Introduce those we serve to a relationship with the living God
Our lives have been radically transformed by the personal relationship we have with God through his son and our Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that this relationship answers the fundamental longing of every human heart. We strive every day to share this relationship with every child we serve.
Create a vibrant faith community of youth in the WNY area
Christianity at its core is a communal religion. Too often we try to pass on our faith to our children without this communal component to no avail. We are committed to building a community of young Christians in WNY so that the children we work with can participate in the fullness of their faith.
Build up those we serve to prepare them to walk in their faith
We believe that God calls all Christians of all ages to a life of growing in holiness and virtue. We lament the fact that too often this life of holiness is not effectively communicated to our youth. For this reason, core to our mission is the supporting of the youth in our communities in their walk with the Lord.
Send them out to be of service to their families and communities
The universal call of all Christians is to love their neighbor as themselves. To strip service away from Christianity would be to render it a dead faith (James 2:17). We want to build up those kids we work with so that they have the opportunity and skills to make a genuine impact in their families and communities.
What we Believe
Catholic
As a Catholic apostolate, we confess the faith of the Christian community as summarized in the Nicene Creed of 381. We identify the Church with the universal body of believers and churches in communion with the bishop of Rome. We take seriously our duty to serve in conformity to the teachings and obligations of that community. For specific questions we refer you here to the Catachism of the Catholic Church.
The Power of God
Seeing the lives of ourselves and others transform so radically, we believe that a relationship to the living God through his Son has the capacity to transform the lives of all men and women young or old. This transforming relationship is the answer to so many of the ills that plague our youth and greater culture. We love nothing more than to help those we serve to experience that power of Christ for themselves.
Holiness and the Spirtual Life
Following Vatican II’s Lumen Gentium, we believe that all men and women, young and old, are called to the state of holiness. We find it tragic that holiness is too often restricted to pious grandmas and priests. We believe that it’s only in that pursuit and attainment of holiness that the full benefits of the Christian Faith can be recognized. We are devoted to helping all our youth grow in those disciplines and practice what God left us to grow in that holiness that they may begin to experience the great peace, happiness, and purpose of the Christian life for themselves.
Community
We believe that Christianity only makes sense in a communal setting. That the failure to successfully pass on the faith between generations is often rooted in the isolation that our youth feel when attempting to practice their faith. From this belief flows our commitment to building a like-minded community of Christian youth who are rooted in their Christian faith.
Communal Project
The transmission of faith requires more than just a strong community among children but rather the rallying together of the greater church body. Because of this belief, we always need help from those who are older in our community to assist in our events and projects. If you feel called, we encourage you to look below for different ways you can help join us in our mission.
Safety
We believe in the duty and obligation we feel to protect every child that comes into our care, however briefly. All employees and volunteers seek to abide by the rigourous safe conduct measures established by the Diocese. We believe our mission can only be accomplished if these duties to safety come first, and we hope for the opportunity to earn the trust of the greater church community.
Our Youth Ministers
Gina Updike
Youth Minister
Has been serving as a youth minister for a year with the Parish Family. Currently serving while completing a master’s degree in education. Excited and passionate for the faith and helping build up the next generation of young Catholics. Is very grateful to the community for providing the opportunity to do so. Has a deep love for catachesis and assists with the catachesis program whenever he can!
Favorite Saint: Almost impossible to choose.
I would say I have always been drawn to the character of Peter as seen in the Gospels. He is just marked out from the rest by his incredible love for the Lord. Despite being incredibly human and flawed, this love vindicates him as a leader among his brother apostles. As a fellow flawed human, I have always loved that idea.
Favorite Bible Verse: “For he who has died is freed from sin.” (Rom 6:6)
I love this verse and the 6th chapter of Romans more generally. Any verse that discusses the radical transformation that a relationship with Christ calls us to always inspires me to be more.
Fun Fact: I had the privilege of getting engaged in Rome after visiting the Vatican!
Gina Updike
Youth Minister
Has been serving as a youth minister for a year with the Parish Family. Currently serving while completing a master’s degree in education. Excited and passionate for the faith and helping build up the next generation of young Catholics. Is very grateful to the community for providing the opportunity to do so. Has a deep love for catachesis and assists with the catachesis program whenever he can!
Favorite Saint: Almost impossible to choose.
I would say I have always been drawn to the character of Peter as seen in the Gospels. He is just marked out from the rest by his incredible love for the Lord. Despite being very human and flawed, this love vindicates him as a leader among his brother apostles. As a fellow flawed human, I have always loved that idea.
Favorite Bible Verse: “For he who has died is freed from sin.” (Rom 6:6)
I love this verse and the 6th chapter of Romans more generally. Any verse that discusses the radical transformation that a relationship with Christ calls us to always inspires me to be more.
Fun Fact: I had the privilege of getting engaged in Rome after visiting the Vatican!
Thomas Blackwell
Assistant Youth Minister
Has been serving as a youth minister for a year with the Parish Family. Currently serving while completing a master’s degree in education. Excited and passionate for the faith and helping build up the next generation of young Catholics. Is very grateful to the community for providing the opportunity to do so. Has a deep love for catachesis and assists with the catachesis program whenever he can!
Favorite Saint: Almost impossible to choose.
I would say I have always been drawn to the character of Peter as seen in the Gospels. He is just marked out from the rest by his incredible love for the Lord. Despite being very human and flawed, this love vindicates him as a leader among his brother apostles. As a fellow flawed human, I have always loved that idea.
Favorite Bible Verse: “For he who has died is freed from sin.” (Rom 6:6)
I love this verse and the 6th chapter of Romans more generally. Any verse that discusses the radical transformation that a relationship with Christ calls us to always inspires me to be more.
Fun Fact: I had the privilege of getting engaged in Rome after visiting the Vatican!
Thomas Blackwell
Assistant Youth Minister
Has been serving as a youth minister for a year with the Parish Family. Currently serving while completing a master’s degree in education. Excited and passionate for the faith and helping build up the next generation of young Catholics. Is very grateful to the community for providing the opportunity to do so. Has a deep love for catachesis and assists with the catachesis program whenever he can!
Favorite Saint: Almost impossible to choose.
I would say I have always been drawn to the character of Peter as seen in the Gospels. He is just marked out from the rest by his incredible love for the Lord. Despite being very human and flawed, this love vindicates him as a leader among his brother apostles. As a fellow flawed human, I have always loved that idea.
Favorite Bible Verse: “For he who has died is freed from sin.” (Rom 6:6)
I love this verse and the 6th chapter of Romans more generally. Any verse that discusses the radical transformation that a relationship with Christ calls us to always inspires me to be more.
Fun Fact: I had the privilege of getting engaged in Rome after visiting the Vatican!