Mission Statement

St. Michael’s Youth Ministry seeks to help young people with personal and spiritual growth and seeks to draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of this faith community.

Goals

1. Youth Ministry works to assist young people on their faith journey, as they become followers of Jesus Christ.  We help youth develop a deeper and more personal relationship with Jesus Christ; experience a sense of personal well-being, security and peace; grow spiritually through study, reflection, prayer, and discussion with others; and develop a deeper understanding of the Scripture and Catholic Christian traditions and their applicability to life in today’s complex society.
2. Youth Ministry seeks to instill in our youth the sense of belonging to our faith community which provides a context for the healthy development of Catholic Christian values and identity and opportunities to develop positive relationships between adolescents and adult Catholic Christian role models.  Our challenge is to become a “youth-friendly” faith community where youth have a conspicuous presence – at worship and at all parish events. 

“Youth-friendly” communities recognize and tap young people’s gifts, talents, energy, and power.  They involve young people in leadership and ministry. 

“Youth-friendly communities value young people.  They listen to them, they support them with prayer, time, facilities, and money; they respond to their needs.

“Youth-friendly” communities are those where youth are present, powerful, and valuable in the parish life and mission.

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Objectives

Youth Ministry promotes and designs programs and activities such as:

Jr. Team  (Junior Teens Engaged in Active Ministry) that serves to minister to 6th, 7^th and 8^th grade youth.  Classes meet on Sunday evenings at 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. September through April in the Spiritual Learning Center.  
Co-Coordinators-
Mike Marshall   299-3508
Lynne Hanrahan   299-3509

Team        (Teens Engaged in Active Ministry) is open to all high school youth 9^th through 12^th grades.  Classes meet in the Family Life Center on Sunday evenings 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. September through April. 
Co-Coordinators-
Mike Marshall   299-3508
Lynne Hanrahan   299-3509

 Peer Ministry is an opportunity for youth 9th-12^th grades to serve in a ministry for a one-year commitment ministering to other peers and the parish.  There is an annual mandatory retreat held in August to help prepare the youth for the year.  There are opportunities to serve as Small Group Leader, or in Hospitality, Community Service, Social, Drama, Music, Retreat, Summer Camp, Altar Server, Prayer, Eucharistic Minister, Lector/Reader, and Usher Ministries.

Confirmation is a sacramental program designed for young people who are in the 11^th – 12^th grades and have a personal desire for the reception of this sacrament.   This program is a two-year program with the first year being catechesis and retreats.  The second year is a continuation of the catechesis, the reception of the sacrament, and a commitment to involvement in one of the various ministries within the parish community.  There are also monthly Candidate/Sponsor meets on various topics.  Classes meet in the Spiritual Learning Center, 2^nd Floor, on Sunday evenings 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. September through April.  The Confirmation Ceremony is usually held in October.  Coordinators – Barb and John White 265-6811

 R.C.I.T. is a catechetical process for youth 12 - 18 years of age, who are seeking the sacrament of Baptism, First Reconciliation and First Communion.  This program typically runs October through April (Easter Vigil Service) when the sacraments are received.

Bible Study looks at the scripture readings for Sunday liturgies and leads participant into a personal reflection and response during weekly evening meetings.

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Activities

Youth Ministry promotes and designs activities such as Social Events, Community Service Experiences, Retreats, Summer Camp, Mission, Drama Experiences, Praise & Worship Rallies, Graduation Mass & Luncheon, etc.

Social Events – Kick-Off Social, Galleria Ice-Skating, Fr. Leo’s Christmas Tree Trimming and Hay Ride, Christmas Video Scavenger Hunt.

Community Service – Canned Goods Scavenger Hunt, Christmas Toy Drive & Delivery to Salvation Army and Memorial Day Care, Nursing Home Visits, Thanksgiving Food Baskets.

Retreats – overnight experiences that enhance the spiritual life of the participants and to “get away” from “everyday life” for 9^th – 12^th graders  3 or 4 times per year on various topics; N.E.T. (National Evangelization Team) – a group of young adults that travel across the U.S. to present retreats full of skits, dramas, games, talks prayer, music, and fun.

Summer Camp – open for grades 6^th – 8^th, in early June.  3 nights and 4 days experience at Forest Glen near Huntsville, which involves swimming, canoeing, crafts, ropes course, volleyball, basketball, ping-pong, foosball, horseback riding, and a spiritual enrichment program.

Mission – a week long service experience in July for 9^th – 12^th grade youth and adults in San Juan, TX to serve the needy people of the Rio Grande Valley through teaching Vacation Bible School and Work Projects.

Drama – a youth-led production of the Stations of the Cross presented on a Friday during Lent.

Praise & Worship Rally – (2 annually) an opportunity for youth grades 6^th – 12^th to gather in song and worship.   Guest musicians lead these rallies.

Graduation Mass & Luncheon - to honor the graduating seniors of the Parish held in May.

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