CORE TEAM

- WHAT IS THE CORE TEAM?
  
  The Core Team is a group of adults (21+) in the parish who plan, vision cast, and execute different events for High School Youth Group. Core Team members will proclaim the teachings of Christ and build relationships with the teens at St. Mary of Nazareth. There is no cookie-cutter model for a perfect Core Team member!
  
  If you or someone you know is interested in serving the teens of St. Mary's, please do not hesitate to contact the church office!
- Director of Youth Ministry -
  Chris Smith
  
  Hello everybody!! My name is Chris Smith and as it says above I am the Director of Youth Ministry here at St Mary of Nazareth! I was born and raised in Altoona, IA where I went to Southeast Polk High School. To further my education I went to Iowa State University where I majored in Markering!
  
  I have been involved with youth ministry as long as I can remember. I started out going regulary to youth group when I was a freshman in high school and boy did I love it. For me at that time it was a safe space for me, and a space where I could gather people that share the same faith that I did. Especially in High School, youth group was a saving grace.
  
  I loved youth ministry so much that I became an intern to a youth minister in Ames while studying at ISU. Also while I was at Iowa State I was a staff memeber for Catholic Heart Workcamp. I also became a small group leader, retreat leader, an, MC for an event that happened every month for over 200 people, and much more.
  
  After graduating, I was the High School Youth Minister at Saints John and Paul in Altoona for 2 years. Then God called me here to St Mary of Naz! I am so happy and proud to be a part of this parish and am so excited to see what God has in store for me here!
  
  I hope you join us for some if not all of your High School Youth Group nights! My goal and mission is for each of you to have the same thing that I had when I was in High School; a safe space to call your 2nd home, a space to gather with friends of the same faith, and a space where you can grow in God's love.
- CORE TEAM - MOMMA P
  
  My name is JoLynn Paszkiewicz. My husband, Steve, and I have been parishioners at St. Mary's for over 20 years. We have four adult daughters, so we are officially empty nesters.
  
  I have worked with the youth program in one way or another since becoming a parishioner, from Faith Formation for the K-8 program, to the gap year for high school ministry when we were without a youth minister, to the implementation of the LifeTeen program. Each of these ministries have been rewarding, but I seemed to have found my home with the high school teens. When asked why I love being a CORE team member (adult leader for the high school program SMART...St Mary's Active Religious Teens), my reply is simple ~ the teens. The energy, the faith, the trust, the willingness to share, and the friendship they provide each and every time we meet is amazing. How could you not fall in love with being a part of all of this!
  
  I hold St. Joseph, the Foster Father of Jesus/the Carpenter, close to my heart. Warm memories of my childhood come to mind when I pray to him and when I am around our youth. Hardworking, dedicated to family and protecting them, and blind faith in others close to you are the endearing attributes I find in St. Joseph. Mother Mary is also extremely special to me. I have so much affection for the love Mother Mary gave to Jesus and the strength she found in herself to endure everything she had to endure. I want to share that type of motherly love with my own girls and with the teens. At home I am known as 'Mom' ~ at High School Youth Group I am known as 'Momma P'.
- CORE Team - Erin K
  
  I have been on the High School Youth Group \ Core Team for 2 years. My favorite saints are St. Josephine Bakhita (my confirmation saint :) ) and St. Maximilian Kolbe. I LOVE being on Core Team because I get to work with, get to know, and constantly be inspired by the faith of the incredible youth and fellow Core Team members of this group. I love the community that we have at St. Mary's!
- CORE TEAM - Daryl J
  
  My name is Daryl W. Jarman. I have been married to Carolyn Jarman for 33 wonderous years. I have four children: Clarissa, Melinda, Victor, and Joseph. We have attended St. Mary’s for over 6 years, and I have participated with the CORE team for over 3 years. My favorite saint would be St. Ignatius. My favorite scripture comes from Sirach (live long and prosper), chapter 26, verses 1 through 4, which I dedicate to my wife Carolyn.
  
  I consider participation in the CORE team a great honor, for these children are the future of our faith, the church, and our world. This is how Christ and the church perpetuates ourselves for future generations.
  
  Your brother in Christ,
  
  Daryl
  Jesus Freak.
- CORE TEAM- Michael Hanstad
- CORE TEAM- Henry Burkard