Australian youth group visits St. John the Baptist

Intermountain Catholic

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DRAPER — July 8-11, the Saint John the Baptist Youth Group had a weekend of ministry and sharing with the Saint Aquinas Youth Group from Perth, Australia.

"I really enjoyed hanging out with our new friends from Australia," said Samantha Arndt, a member of the Saint John the Baptist Parish Youth Group. "They’re fun and they really like to joke around a lot. I found it interesting that they speak English, but use different words. When they’re messing around, they call it ‘trolling.’ I hope they come out and visit again."

The youth groups met at 5:30 a.m. Friday and drove to Sand Island State Park for lunch, then on to the Navajo Indian Reservation and the Gentle Ironhawk Domestic Abuse Shelter and local Indian Medical Clinic, where they delivered baby blankets and stuffed animals that they had collected.

Gentle Ironhawk Shelter’s mission is to protect battered women of diverse cultures and backgrounds and their children by providing a safe environment where victims of domestic abuse can heal, be validated for who they are, be educated, receive Western, traditional, and/or faith-based counseling, identify resources in multiple jurisdictions, and break free from the cycle of violence and strengthen families.

The youth groups drove to Mexican Hat, and enjoyed a hike before continuing on to Monument Valley where they were staying. They had several Navajo guests teach them how to make fry bread and Navajo tacos. After dinner, a speaker gave a talk about Navajo culture, sang and played drums and answered questions.

Saturday the youth took another hike and visited an outdoor Navajo market. They later drove to and explored the Tribal Park.

Sunday the youth served in the liturgical ministry roles at Mass. Afterward, they had a pizza lunch before heading off for a hike to Timpanogas Cave.

Sunday evening the Knights of Columbus sponsored a fajita and quesadilla dinner.