Facing the challenge of growing up with virtue in a not-so-virtuous world, 11 Clarkston area girls formed a local Challenge Girls Club.
‘I believe these girls are the future of the church and society,? said Kristin McGrath, formation mentor. ‘They’ll make a big difference. They’ll bring back values to society. They’re going to change the world.?
Club members Amanda Covert, Nicole Frank, Jackie Gipe, Katie Gipe, Alyssa Hamelin, Maria Pangori, Lizzi Ridge, Alison Stawara, Kendra Sweet, Erin VanBuskirk, and Jenny Zawadzki meet weekly to discuss themes and passages from the Bible, and plan service projects throughout the community.
‘We share our thoughts about religion,? Hamelin said. ‘We’re like a big family. We respect everyone.?
‘I heard about it from my friends,? Ridge said. ‘It sounded fun.?
The girls, ages 10-14, come from different schools, so it gives them a chance to get together with girls they wouldn’t have otherwise, she said.
‘I’ve really enjoyed it,? Jackie said.
One project was a fundraiser selling earrings to buy diaper bags, clothes, and supplies for local crisis pregnancy centers.
‘These are mothers in trouble who decided not to have abortions ? we wanted to help them,? Hamelin said.
‘We want to support them for choosing life,? Katie said.
They also go to local nursing homes to visit with residents.
Plans for next year include expanding to three teams: girls in grades 5-6, grades 7-8, and grades 9-10.
‘As girls get older, they face different situations,? said Pam Zawadzki, club president. ‘They have different issues at different ages.?
Team Leaders Kelsey McCrum and Mary Toohey organized the Clarkston group’s video entry in this year’s Virtues Video Contest, Feb. 10 in Oxford.
They earned third place honors with the video ‘Bringing Christ to our Everyday Lives,? based on the 2006 film ‘The Ultimate Gift.? In their version, challenges arrived for their troubled main character from Father Marcial Maciel Degollado, founder of Catholic groups Regnum Christi and Legion of Christ, which sponsor Challenge Clubs internationally.
‘Father Maciel died five hours before the first viewing of the video (on Jan. 30),? said Maria Pangori. ‘He was watching from heaven.?
In the video, girls play characters learning about generosity (sharing a piece of cake even with selfish brothers), friendship (reaching out to an annoying classmate instead of arguing), and charity (volunteering at a nursing home).
‘There are lots of ways to bring Christ into our lives,? said Maria Pangori. ‘The video helps bring Christ into everyday life, in the school, home, and community.?
Ten area Challenge Clubs competed, with more than 100 people attending.
‘The committee wanted the girls to have great creative license this year,? said organizer Mary Pappas of the Bloomfield Hills Challenge Club. ‘I was very surprised by the range of creativity ? some went very literal and others used a montage of images with music to convey the theme.?
The group, which is open to anyone who wants to join, is mentored by the Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi, who have taken vows of faithfulness to God.
‘Our hope is the girls take what they learn about virtue into their lives, and home and at school,? said Kelsey McCrum, a Virginian serving Michigan through the Coworker missionary program. ‘The world needs them.?
More than 150 girls participate in 25 Challenge Clubs in southeast Michigan. The clubs offer summer camps in addition to weekly activities.
For more information, call Pam Zawadzki at 248-625-1057; Kristi Fenske, local director, at 248-363-0422; or check www.challengeclubs.com.