St. Jude celebrates opening of youth center

St. Jude School students and sisters Allison Lewis, left, and Caitlyn Lewis of Indianapolis look at an architectural drawing of the new parish youth center during a Dec. 12 open house. Caitlyn is a sixth-grade student and Allison is a fourth-grader. (Photo by Mary Ann Wyand)

By Mary Ann Wyand

Looking to the future, St. Jude parishioners in Indianapolis celebrated the opening of the new parish youth center during a Dec. 12 dedication ceremony.

The blessing of the brick, multipurpose facility was a historic occasion during the parish’s 50th anniversary year.

St. Jude’s anniversary theme is “Looking Back with Pride and Forward with Hope—1959-2009.”

The event also gave Father Stephen Banet, the pastor, an opportunity to visit with parishioners after his recent return from a four-month sabbatical.

While teenagers, children, parents and other parishioners toured the renovated former bus garage and enjoyed holiday cookies in the new full-service kitchen, Father Banet reflected on how the youth center will benefit the Indianapolis South Deanery parish for years—and generations—to come by helping to keep young people active in the Church.

“To have their own space, their own identity, I think will really encourage them to live their faith,” he said. “They can come here and know this is a safe place to be, and that they have their own place in the parish community.”

The new youth center is located on the west side of Roncalli High School’s football field, and includes a concessions stand where parishioners can sell refreshments during games as a fundraiser for youth programs and activities.

The 1,800-square-foot facility also has handicap-accessible restrooms, a large social room and a smaller meeting room that will accommodate parish youth ministry gatherings, religious education programs, Scout troop meetings and some school events.

A landscaped prayer garden on the east side of the youth center features a statue of the Holy Family, which was purchased as a gift for the parish by St. Jude School’s 2008-09 eighth-grade class.

Several grants helped pay for the building renovation, which was part of Phase I of the parish’s long-range facilities expansion plan. †