The parish is, first, a people. Simply stated, it is a people called together by God. It is a people empowered by the Spirit to make increasingly true and obvious their response to God through Christ.
"The most effective catechetical program for adolescents are integrated into a comprehensive program of pastoral ministry for youth that includes catechesis, community life, evangelization, justice and service, leadership development, pastoral care, and prayer and worship. Such programs aim to empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today; to draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic faith community; and to foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person." (National Directory for Catechesis, p. 201)
Youth Ministry for High School Students: In youth ministry, teens are called to be disciples of Jesus Christ. Young people in the parish youth group are serious about their relationship with God in Jesus Christ. This means they try to be active in prayer, and be familiar with scripture. In their prayer and scripture, they have a connection to church life: the sacraments, its moral teaching and the growing awareness for conversion.
A faith-filled young person has a desire to serve. They help others experience God's love. The Church has the vision for them of a life in mission. Members of the youth group are Evangelizers who live and preach the Gospel with joy and conviction. They give good example from the lessons learned in their families, their parish, and their interaction with friends and teachers. From the Gospel, they learn to set and respect boundaries, have a good sense of self, and are not afraid to speak the challenging words of Jesus for others to hear.
The youth group is passionate about justice and peace as well as fostering church teaching on respecting life at all its stages and circumstances. In this formation, members of the youth group inspire the whole community.
This program includes social, educational, religious, community-building and athletic activities that are designed especially for the high school age group. The goal is to strengthen the bond between the parishes of our region and our youth, to keep young people actively engaged in their faith practice and to help them grow their Catholic faith.
For More Information, please contact the parish office at 365-8573.