CROWN POINT – St. Matthias Youth Ministry will be taking a group of students and adult chaperones to the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) in Indianapolis this fall. Among those teens headed to the state’s capital will be Ian Chapko, a ninth grader at Crown Point High School.
Chapko just started his first year of high school. As he continues through his freshman year and beyond, he hopes to become involved with the Quiz Bowl team and is already involved in robotics and Student Council. Some of his other hobbies include reading, riding his bike and running an eBay business with his brother, Noah.
Chapko started volunteering at St. Matthias when his parents suggested that he become an altar server. Since then, he has also volunteered to assist with the live streaming of Mass, Donut Sunday, the summer garage sale and Vacation Bible School.
“I enjoy meeting new people and hanging out with my friends,” he said. “I also enjoy helping out the community.”
What Chapko likes best about St. Matthias is that “everyone there is very friendly and there are a lot of activities. Whatever you feel comfortable volunteering for, there is something for you.”
One of the memorable moments Chapko had volunteering at his church occurred during the parish’s annual garage sale. He opened a box to sort it, and inside he found a big taxidermy puffer fish, an item he did not expect to see. During the garage sale season, he is at the parish at least seven days, each day for around eight hours.
“I really enjoy working with all the nice people at the parish and helping make the garage sale a success,” Chapko said. “Being a part of the church is important because you can grow in your faith and interact with a lot of friendly people who also believe in the same faith.”
Chapko’s mom, Celeste, and brother, Noah, will also be going to NCYC next month, Nov. 20-22. The three-day event focuses on prayer, community, evangelization, catechesis and service. Ian Chapko shared that he wanted to go to NCYC to grow in his faith and learn more about Jesus. He is looking forward to attending Mass at Lucas Oil Stadium with 10,000-plus people.
Chapko is the middle child in his family. His older brother is in 11th grade and his sister, Evelyn, is in 7th grade. They are all in the robotics clubs, and Ian is actually a member of the same team as Noah. The family enjoys going to theme parks, traveling to Michigan and spending time with their grandparents.
“We all enjoy playing video games and watching movies together,” Ian Chapko added.
Celeste Chapko noted she and her husband, James, are proud of their son’s willingness to help others and serve his church. “He is a very hard worker and is always looking for small ways to show up for others,” she said.
For more information on St. Matthias, visit stmatthiasparish.net. For more details on NCYC, visit ncyc.us.
