Our Youth Ministry Team
Elsi Ojanen is from Hampton, New Hampshire, and graduated from the College of the Holy Cross with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Religious Studies. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Theology and Ministry at the Clough School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College. She assisted with our Confirmation program last year, and we are thrilled to have her leading our renewed Youth Ministry program this year as Interim Coordinator.
Elsi has been blessed with opportunities to lead and facilitate retreats, and she loves working with people of all ages in their journeys of faith. Most of all, she loves Jesus with her whole heart, and is excited for all that God has in store for us this year!
Elsi can be reached at elsi.ojanen@sjspwellesley.org
Luke Delvecchio got his start in Youth Ministry as a member of the St. Paul Youth Group while in high school and has been working in youth ministry for more than 20 years in Wellesley. A graduate of Wellesley High School and Babson College, Luke works in data analysis and lives in Wellesley with his wife, Zemira, and their six children. Luke is an integral member of the Sunday 5pm Youth Music Group, and one of the things he enjoys most about his role in Youth Ministry is walking with young people in their faith journey. (He means that literally – World Youth Day Lisbon in 2023 was his 8th World Youth Day experience!)
Katie Mears Wilson also grew up in St. Paul Parish and was a member of the Youth Group while in high school. Katie graduated from Boston College, where she was active in the Music Ministry, and is a fifth grade teacher. She is very much involved in the music of the Sunday 5pm Mass, and helps to coordinate the young people serving in the ministries of the Mass.
Christian Wilson is the Coordinator of the Sunday 5pm Youth Music Group. A graduate of Boston College and is currently pursuing a PhD in Economics at Boston University. Christian and Katie were married at St. Paul Church in 2022 and live in Natick with their little girl Rosie.
To contact our Youth Ministry Team please email YouthMinistry@sjspwellesley.org
Sunday Night Youth Group
Sunday evenings following the Sunday 5pm Youth Mass!
All high school students are invited and encouraged to attend – bring your friends!
Liturgy and Worship
Our program is centered around our youth-focused, vibrant and Spirit-filled Sunday 5:00pm Mass. High school students are central to and actively involved in all aspects of this liturgy, serving as greeters and lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, singers and musicians.
Our hope is that this full, active participation in the liturgy – the source and summit of the Christian life – will foster a lived connection to Christ Jesus and the community of the Church, and help you grow in faith as young adults. We also offer youth-focused opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
Service and Social Opportunities
We provide service opportunities within and outside our Collaborative, as well as social and recreational activities, which help to strengthen connections to the community and to each other.
Pilgrimages and Service Trips
Our Youth Ministry Team coordinates service and immersion trips and World Youth Day pilgrimages.
(World Youth Day Seoul is coming up in 2027 – stay tune for more information in the coming months!)
World Youth Day Krakow 2016
Service and Immersion Trip to NPH Dominican Republic 2019
World Youth Day Lisbon 2023
Contact Us:
Email: YouthMinistry@sjspwellesley.org.
Instagram: @SJSPYouthMinistry
As young Christians… you are not only a part of the future of the Church; you are also a necessary and beloved part of the Church’s present!
-Pope Francis, Homily at the Closing Mass for the 6th Asian Youth Day, August 2014