Welcome to Youth Ministry!

Our Family of Parishes offers youth ministry for all teens from 7-12th grade. This page is specifically for Jr. High families of 7-8th graders. 

Meeting Times and Locations: 

This year, we're planning to offer several options for Jr. High Ministry. You can register your teen for whichever option works best for your family. 

Calendar: 

Our ministry meets ~weekly, from Sept-May, as well as summer ministry. Our calendar is available here: Jr. High Calendar. This calendar provides a basic overview of the year; however, it is always possible that we make edits as we go along. 

What to expect from our program? 

Overall, our program is about making disciples. It's about building a strong community of friendships, where teens get to practice ownership in their faith and grow in habits of discipleship. Our Jr. High program is led by the youth minister, adult volunteers, and peer leaders (high schoolers) who have previously been involved in youth ministry. Weekly meetings generally include snacks, games, witness talks, small group time, and prayer. In addition, we may offer a handful of off-site activities during the year: such as retreats and service projects. 

Registration and Who can come: 

This is open to all teens in our Family of Parishes (grades 7-8), as well as friends that they invite. Our program is open to any teens whether they go to public school, Catholic school, or home-school. Parents should plan to register your teen before they participate: this qualifies as the medical release form and includes emergency contact and other important info. It'll take ~5 minutes to complete! Registration: NE-9 Youth Ministry Registration, 2023-2024. 

It is $65 to register one teen, and $130 for two or more. This money goes towards supplies and activities during the year. A link will be provided upon registration. Money should not be a bar to participate - please communicate if there is an issue. 

Sample Format (Wed)

• 5:30-6:00, gather, snacks, activities. 
• 6:00-6:15, witness talk on the day's topic. 
• 6:15-6:45, small group time. 
• 6:45-7:00, closing prayer.

Lessons: 

Our lessons are based on LifeTeen and cover a variety of topics from Prayer, Morality, Sacraments, and the Creed. You can view each of our series below. 

• Are We Alone? - 5 week series on Creation  Sept-Oct
• Are you with me? - 7 week series on Salvation History Nov-Dec
• Mysteries of Light - 6 week series on Luminous Mysteries Jan-Feb
• This Saying is Hard! - 5 week series on Hard Teachings. Feb-March
• Anno Domini - 7 week series on Church history March-May

Meet The Team

Our Jr. High ministry is run by a vibrant team of adult volunteers and peer leaders (high schoolers). If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering, please contact Youth Minister Jeffrey Kremer at [email protected].

Confirmation 2024

Next year's liturgy: Confirmation will be celebrated on Tuesday evening, April 30, 2024, at 6:30 pm, at St. Henry Parish. 

In our Family of Parishes, Confirmation is offered to teens beginning in grade 7 and up. Teens are expected to participate in weekly youth ministry, as well as a handful of Confirmation specific events. Here is the Confirmation calendar: Confirmation Calendar. If your teen plans to request the sacrament, they'll need to complete this request sheet: Confirmation Request. 

What are teens saying about Jr. High Ministry?

• “I love learning more about God/Jesus every year.”
• “I enjoy this group a lot and would like to continue to grow in my faith.”
• “It’s super fun and social.”
• “I would love to be part of this small group again.”
• “It helps me grow my faith in a fun environment.”
• “Small group is fun and I learn a lot.”
• “I enjoy youth ministry because you have fun while learning.”  

For any questions, please contact Jeffrey Kremer, Associate Director of Youth & Family Formation. 

Email: [email protected]

Office phone: 937-557-1711, ext 103. 

Summer Jr. High Ministry, 2023

We continue to offer Jr. High MInistry in the summer! This is offered to rising 7th and 8th graders in our whole Family of Parishes. We'll meet at St. Mary on Wednesdays from 5:30-7:00 pm. Teens and families are welcome to stay for 7 pm Mass. 

Great way to keep up with friends in the summer, meet with new people, play games, and learn about Jesus! 

Calendar: Summer Kick-off is on June 14! Summer Calendar: Summer 2023 Calendar. 

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