Welcome to Youth Ministry!

Our Family of Parishes offers youth ministry for all teens from 7-12th grade. This page is for High School Ministry. 

This year, we'll continue to offer Sunday night ministry at St. Mary, from 7:00-8:30 pm. This group meets ~weekly, from Sept-May, as well as summer ministry. Our calendar is available here: HS Calendar.  This calendar provides a basic overview of the year; however, it is always possible that we add events as we go along. 

We are also developing a Peer Leadership Program, for high school teens to grow as leaders. Teens can apply to be part of a PSR Team, a Jr. High Team, and a High School Team. Here is the application for Peer Leadership: Peer Leader App.  For more information, see our info packet: Peer Leader Booklet. 

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 high school 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 generally offer off-site activities during the year: such as a summer mission trip with Catholic Heart Work Camp, service projects, and other. 

Do we have to attend 6 pm Mass beforehand? 

We intentionally meet after the 6 pm Mass, to make it easier for teens to attend Mass and then come downstairs afterwards. This is a good opportunity to come to Mass and sit with friends. If your family regularly attends at another time, this is not a problem. 

Registration and Who can come: 

This is open to all teens in our Family of Parishes (grades 9-12), as well as friends that they invite. 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: 

• 6:00-7:00, Mass.
• 7:00-7:25, snacks and hang-out time.
• 7:25-7:40, witness talk.
• 7:40-8:30, small group. 

Lessons:

  Many of our lessons are based on LifeTeen, and cover topics from Prayer, Morality, Sacraments, and the Creed. 

 Anno Domini - 7 week series on Church History, Sept-Oct

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. This also goes for high schoolers who may have missed the sacrament and need to receive it. 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. 

Meet The Team

Our HS ministry is run by a vibrant team of volunteers. If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering, please contact Youth Minister Jeffrey Kremer at [email protected].

For any questions, please contact Jeffrey Kremer, Associate Director of Youth & Family Formation, at [email protected].

SUMMER MINISTRY, 2023

We continue to offer sessions through the summer. Summer Ministry is a great way to keep up with friends over the summer. We generally have different games each week.  Summer Kick-off is on Sunday June 11th! Summer 2023 Calendar. 

Photo Gallery:

Past Events, 2022

Mission Trip: In June 2022, we traveled to New Castle, PA for our annual mission trip with Catholic Heart Workcamp. Thanks to everyone who came on the trip with us and for all the great work during the week!

2021

Mission Trip: In summer 2021, we traveled to Morganton, NC for a mission trip with Catholic Heart Workcamp (CHWC). Dates were between June 27-July 2, 2021. Stay in tune for next year's trip, open to all rising freshmen to graduating seniors!