Youth Ministry

 

Our Holy Father at World Youth Day in 1995 called the Church to become the “traveling” companion of young people”.  “To respond to the new challenges and opportunities of our day the Catholic Bishop of the United States offer Renewing the Vision – a blueprint for the continued development of effective ministry with young and older adolescents.  Renewing the Vision is a call to make ministry with teens a concern for the entire church community, especially for leaders in parish, school and diocese.”

 

Renewing the Vision takes up the Holy Father’s challenge by focusing the church’s ministry with teens on three essential goals:

1)      empowering young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today

2)      drawing young people to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the faith community

3)      fostering the personal and spiritual growth of each young person 

 

Renewing the Vision is most importantly an affirmation of faith, gifts, energy and fresh ideas of young people.  It is a Christ-centered vision.

 

As a parish community how are we accepting the call to empower young people of the mission they have been give by the Lord Jesus.

 

The Youth Ministry Flow Chart provides a visual structure of this parish ministry. 

An Adult Core Team and Student Core Team have developed goals and objectives under the direction of the Youth Minister and Director.  This chart provides that explanation and the people involved. 

 

 

High School Youth Ministry

 

Senior High Youth ministry developed out of a strong need for high school students, after the age of Confirmation was lowered in the Diocese of LaCrosse.  High School students a invited to continue to meet on a variety of Wednesday evenings to continue to grow in their faith journey before, during and after the Sacrament of Confirmation.  “Confirmation is not graduation.  It is a call to Discipleship with Jesus Christ”.

 

The three goals state what it means for the “Catholic community to respond to the needs of young people and to involve young people in sharing their unique gifts with the larger community.”  

 

Youth ministry offers a large variety of activities, topics, retreats, field trips, bible study, teen Link to Senior High Datesand peer topics to the youth. 

 

Click here for Senior High Youth Ministry dates.

 

 

 

Junior High Youth Ministry

 

Junior High, students in grades 6-8 meet monthly for Youth Ministry nights.  The Senior High Youth Ministry Teens and Adult Core team provide this witness and leadership.

 Link to Junior High Dates

 

Click here for Junior High Youth Ministry Dates.

 

 

 

Summer Youth Camps, Youth conferences, workshops, concerts, etc.:

 

Youth Ministry at St. Mary’s provides information for families for a number of summer youth camps.  Check out these links:

            Camp Gray      www.campgray.com

            Camp Forest Springs  www.campforestsprings.org 

            Living Water     www.livingwater.com

            Youth Forum Summer Festival    www.christianbuilt.com/summerfestival/home_page/

 

Conferences and leadership for youth:

            Steubenville North   www.steubenvillenorth.org/steubenvillenorth/index.shtml

            Franciscan University of Steubenville    www.franciscan.edu/Home2/Content/main.aspx

            World Youth Day  

            NCYC (National Catholic Youth Conference)

            CLI (Christian Leadership Institute)

 

 Concert Opportunity and Christian Music:

           89Q – Christian Radio Station out of Wausau,WI    http://www.89q.org/waycup/    

           This website gives a good flavor of what’s new.    www.hearitfirst.com

           Minneapolis station plays a good contemporary mix of Christian music.    www.wncb.com

           Check out www.lifest.com where you will find youth activities and conferences all over the U.S. as well as info on

                the Lifest concert in Oshkosh each July.
 

 

Link to Registration formThe Registration form for junior high and high school enrollment can be found here.  If you are interested please print the form, fill it out, and send it to the RE office.  The address can be found in the Contact Info link.