Fourteen teens and three adults from St. Marguerite d’Youville Church, Lawrenceville, traveled this summer to Chicago for a mission trip.

The mission was built around the theme “I Refuse.” The young adults lived the motto: I refuse to sit around and wait for someone else to do what God has called me to do myself. They served the community, from helping at soup kitchens and at a daycare for foster children to creating a green space in the city neighborhood.

Youth minister Nicole Hartman, who led the group to the Windy City, carved out time for the teens to pray by attending Mass at local parishes, having adoration at a Chicago grotto and receiving the sacrament of reconciliation.

Anna Rhodes, one of the participants, said, “One verse in the Bible says that you should be happy with nothing but God, and these people that I met on this trip showed me that that is possible. They don’t have nice things or food to eat, and they are still happy and place their trust with God.”

Teen Matt Mullin said, “This trip was amazing, and I hope everyone considers a trip like this in their lifetime—I learned that faith is simply the inspiration received from good commissions.”

The teens had to raise their own money to cover travel costs. In addition, scholarships were awarded by the Knights of Columbus Council #12905 to defray expenses.

St. Helena Church celebrated its 50th anniversary in the new church on Meadow Stream Lane, Clayton, with a bilingual Mass Aug.14. The faith community has worshipped in the church for just over a year, having moved from their old church on Warwoman Road.

Seventeen priests, including the present pastor, Father Jose Luis Hernandez Ayala, have served St. Helena over the years. Following the Mass the congregation gathered at the Rabun County Civic Center for lunch.

There are new faces around the Atlanta Archdiocese’s Chancery in Smyrna.

Cat Doyle is the head of the Social Justice Ministry. Before taking the position, Doyle worked at St. Brendan the Navigator Church, Cumming, where she was the director of parish life and outreach and youth minister.

The Social Justice Ministry uses Catholic social teaching to promote transformation of individuals, parishes, and the larger community with education and action.

She can be reached at (404) 920-7897 and at kdoyle@archatl.com.

Claire Gilligan is the new associate director for the Office for Divine Worship. Gilligan earned a bachelor’s degree in catechetics from Franciscan University of Steubenville and a master’s degree in liturgical studies from the University of Saint Mary of the Lake.  Her thesis topic was on: “The Ars Celebrandi of the Mystical Body: Applications for Postconciliar Liturgical Praxis.”

She can be reached at (404) 920-7337 and at cgilligan@archatl.com.

Two teens from St. Anthony of Padua Church, Atlanta, are serving on the national board of the Junior Knights of St. Peter Claver.

Paul Duhe III was elected as the junior deputy supreme knight, and Lawrence Colin Jr. was elected the junior national treasurer.

The Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary is the largest predominantly African-American lay Catholic organization. The junior knights and the junior daughters make up its youth program.

Not to be outdone, members of the parish’s junior daughters repeated as the quiz bowl champions. The participants were Jada Ashford, Ri’kki Jackson, Janelle Wright, Raina Wright and Precious Illonah.