Our Youth Ministry program incorporates monthly meetings, service opportunities, and parish involvement. We welcome all middle and high schoolers, regardless of their level of experience with Catholicism.
Christ opened His arms for any who would come to Him, and so do we.
Who We Are… What We Do
Our Youth Ministry is an active and welcoming community for middle and high school students who are looking to grow in faith, serve others, and have fun along the way. We believe that encountering Christ can happen anywhere – whether in prayer, through service, or in joyful community with one another.
One of the core focuses of our ministry is service. Our youth regularly participate in outreach projects throughout the greater community. One of our ongoing partnerships is with Connecticut FoodShare, a mobile food pantry based in Wallingford, where our students help distribute food to families in need. We also work alongside other ministries within Saint Bridget of Sweden Parish, offering our hands and hearts wherever support is needed – from helping with parish events to lending assistance to elderly parishioners or those in need.
For our middle schoolers, we offer the “Adventure Club” – a dynamic program that helps young people discover that faith can be both exciting and deeply meaningful. Through games, service, and age-appropriate discussions, Adventure Club helps kids build a personal relationship with Jesus while having a lot of fun. This program also serves as a natural bridge to our high school group, Next Generation of Disciples, where older students deepen their commitment to faith and leadership within the Church and beyond, through events like our annual mission trip (please contact us for more info!)
Together, we are forming young disciples who not only know about Jesus, but walk with Him – in their homes, schools, communities, and hearts. We welcome all middle and high school students, regardless of their background, experience with Catholicism, or affiliation with our parish. Whether you’ve been raised in the Church or are just beginning to explore your faith, there is a place for you here.
Mission Trip 2025 – Harrisburg PA
In the summer of 2025, sixteen school students, three adult chaperones, one deacon and one priest embarked on what was now our second mission trip for the Saint Bridget of Sweden Parish, in order to serve the community of Harrisburg, PA!
Despite being of different age groups (ranging from grades 8 through 12), the students proved they were dedicated to one another, and their purpose. They participated in various service projects, such as:
- Volunteering for food sorting and organizing at a local food pantry
- Distribution of clothing to the underprivileged
- Painting one of the community’s facilities
- Assisting with a Boys and Girls Club camp
- Volunteering at the Allison Hill Community Camp for city kids
- Community cleanup
This mission trip was not only about serving others — it was also a journey of spiritual growth. The group came together through daily worship and prayer, all led by our wonderful Parochial Vicar, Father Yates, who provided opportunities for Mass, Adoration, and Confession.
Alongside their service work, the group enjoyed several recreational activities, including a scavenger hunt in downtown Harrisburg, a visit to the popular Riverwalk, an ice cream stop, and opportunities to hear inspiring speakers. One particularly moving testimony came from a presenter who shared how an encounter with Jesus Christ transformed his life from crime and chaos to becoming a passionate pastor.
This experience not only strengthened the bonds among the participants but also deepened their faith, revealing the profound connection between service and God’s presence in our lives. The group worked together with joy and unity, forming strong connections with each other and those they met along the way.
We are grateful to Father Romans, Joseph Gagliardi, Father Yates, the chaperones, and our entire parish community for their generous support in making this trip possible! We look forward to what next year’s mission trip will bring!
Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. – Matthew 5:16
Middle School Youth Bible Study
Meeting Day/Time: Monday 4:30pm-5:30pm
Date: October 26, 2026
Date: November 09, 2026
Date: December 14, 2026
Date: January 18, 2027
Date: February 15, 2027
Date: March 15, 2027
Date: April 12, 2027
High School Youth Bible Study
Meeting Day/Time: Monday 5:30pm-6:30pm
Date: October 19, 2026
Date: November 16, 2026
Date: December 21, 2026
Date: January 04, 2027
Date: February 01, 2027
Date: March 08, 2027
Date: April 05, 2027
If interested, please email information:
- Student’s name
- Parent/Guardian Contact
- Student Grade Level
- Allergies
Refreshments are provided (Water, Juice, Snacks)
Contact Information:
Joe Luchene, Youth Minister
Our Amazing Youth Ministry Leaders!
Joe Luchene –
Youth Ministry Leader
I am a son, brother, uncle, godfather, friend, and parishioner.
Throughout nine years of college, I’ve acquired a Master’s Degree in Counselor Education, a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, and an Associate’s Degree. I am School Counselor Certified (068). The education I gained inspired my journey toward RCIA in 2021 and Baptism in 2022. At those times, I was also writing “The Burntout Story” to promote universal mental health support services and published it on Amazon in August 2022.
I’ve worked for PAL (Police Activity League), Subway, Costco, Amazon, United Way 211, the Department of Social Services, BAGS Mentorship, and Life Coach Online, and I’ve taught at Silas Deane Middle School and Wethersfield High School. From there, I started a nonprofit telephone prompt system to provide brief information about poverty. 1-833-77 LEARN (53276)
As the Director of Operations for Young Catholic Professionals Central CT, I promote God through professional support of young adults and future generations. Volunteering as a small-group facilitator with our parish’s Faith Formation parents in 2024 supported the journey to teaching Faith Formation with Middle School in 2025 and 9th-grade Confirmation this year. I look forward to supporting families with Jesus and empowering the next generations of disciples.
“Train the young in the way they should go; even when old, they will not swerve from it.” Proverbs 22:6
Contact: jluchene@cheshirecatholic.org
Joe Gagliardi –
Youth Ministry Leader
Joe Gagliardi became part of the Pastoral Team of Saint Bridget of Sweden Parish in the fall of 2023.
He began as a Confirmation teacher and now serves a wide range of parishioners — from young children in kindergarten to adults preparing to enter the Catholic Church. Joe is deeply grateful for the support of the Faith Formation staff and the incredible dedication of over 115+ volunteers who help bring the program to life.
Outside of ministry, Joe enjoys fishing, watching soccer, and going on adventures with his young children — no matter what they dream up next!
