For over 20 years, the parishes of the parishes of the New Albany Deanery have participated in Summer Daze, a weekly service program for youth each Tuesday in June. This event is open to all youth who are incoming 6th, 7th, and 8th graders (in the fall of 2025). This staple of parish and deanery summer programming allows middle school youth to participate in meaningful service, close to home while meeting other Catholic youth from the Clark, Floyd, and Harrison County parishes. Last year, we have a record group size with 221 youth participating over four weeks!

Each parish group will spend time focusing on the center of the truth of human dignity: God has given the gift of holiness to all human persons - including unborn children, immigrants, refugees, people condemned to death, the sick, the elderly, etc. What a beautiful opportunity to honor the dignity of each person, starting with those that God has called us to serve through Summer Daze! Human life is, indeed, priceless!

Service Sites:
All service sites are located in the Southern Indiana / Metro Louisville area from 10am until approximately 12pm. We will be serving at Aramie Acres, Blue River Services in Salem, the Ronald McDonald House of Kentuckiana, Lighthouse Maternity Center, Louisville Composting, The Brave Way Home, Franciscan Kitchen, Genesis House, and many more fantastic partner organizations! The exact location of your parish’s service site will be sent to the parent email provided each Monday prior to Summer Daze events.

Lunch:
Youth are asked to pack a water bottle and lunch each day. At noon each day, the parish group will pause for prayer and a sack lunch.

Prayer / Discussion:
Throughout each day, adult leaders will help young people learn more about Sacred Scripture, Church tradition, and lives of the saints that point to human dignity. Parents will receive a discussion guide by email each Monday that will help reinforce these discussions at home.

Social Activities:
To round out the day, all of the participating parishes will gather at 1pm for an afternoon of fun and community-building at the following locations:

• June 3: Strike & Spare Fun Center (Clarksville, IN)

• June 10: Deanery Fun Day @ St. John Catholic Church (Floyds Knobs)

• June 17: Golf Shores Fun Center (Corydon, IN)

• June 24: Malibu Jacks (Louisville, KY)

Registration:

Registration will be open between March 31 and May 16, 2025. Please be sure to register under your specific parish below, as each parish has its own details such as pick up and drop off procedure. The cost of Summer Daze is $20 per person, per day regardless of the parish to which you belong. Participating parishes include:

For questions regarding Summer Daze,
please contact your parish youth minister (listed above)
or Michelle Fessel in the Catalyst office:
michelle@catalystcatholic.org | 812-923-8355 ext. 201