Hello! I am so thrilled to be the Youth Minister at St. John of the Cross. I am a Speech-Language Pathologist by training, but I come to this position from my path of exploration and many friendships at SJC. My husband, Tom and I, along with our daughters, Molly (17…rising senior) and Jane (13… beginning 8th grade), have been parishioners for 24 years at SJC. Molly has been involved with the SJC Crossroads Teen Program all through her years at LT, and Jane is preparing for her Confirmation this year through the YC program. As with many of us, there were seasons when we were not as involved at Church. But when Tom went through RCIA in 2010 during Molly's second grade Communion year, we felt the pull to become more involved so we jumped in and became Crossroads leaders for our parish teens. I then joined the Women's Club Board for 4 years and soon I was teaching YC for the girls which I continue today. I have been involved with the Women's Club Garage Sale for 9 years and this past year I was fortunate to co-chair it. Very soon, in the bulletin and on our website, you will see many opportunities for ALL of our St. John of the Cross Parish teens to worship together, train to be Communion Ministers, enjoy fellowship, play sports together, volunteer for service outings and explore and grow in their faith through small group. Adults in the parish whose teens have flown the coop? You are invited, too. Are you a former teacher? Are you an active member of your college alumni association? Were you an awesome athlete in your day? Do you enjoy sharing your faith? We invite you, too, to join us. Our SJC teens are a vibrant, fun and energetic group, thirsting for faith and fellowship. Please be on the lookout for ways you, too, can help us build relationship and grow fellowship with our young parishioners. I look forward to getting started with a team of equally dedicated and passionate people to bring Christ to our teens. Please feel free to contact me with ideas, concerns or inquire about ways to help support us at kpruitt@stjohnofthecross.org.