We have decided to staff our Youth Group through a contract with Thomas Cross. This contract will provide us with someone to be present in the parish for about 200 hours through the program year, and a college student, who will be available for about 6 ½ hours weekly to assist. The cost for this contract is substantially less than employing a youth minister; however, it will require us to have a parish support team to assist with the youth group programs. I will be meeting shortly with individuals to ascertain if we can have volunteers who can be available weekly/or on a schedule to assist.