For the 2018-2019 School Year, The STAY ministry programs are trying something new by committing to "Lead Teens Closer to Christ" through the following goals:
1) Connecting Families, by providing opportunities for families of the parish to get to know one another and build up a supportive community. We would like to help our parish go "beyond church property" and find opportunities to gather in the homes of willing families around the neighborhood.
2) Fostering Hearts of Service, by organizing opportunities where teens and their families can serve the community together.
3) Creating "Encounter" Experiences, through participating in retreats, events, and Liturgies that will lead teens into a deeper relationship with Christ and a stronger understanding of our Catholic identity.
REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS: New registrations are required each year to stay up-to-date with your information. Complete one form for each student registering with the programs. There are 7 Sections to this form, please make sure you have clicked on the SUBMIT button before completing this form and exiting your browser. If you find any mistakes in this form, or have questions, please let Chris know at
cmardesich@dsj.org. Thank you!
MINISTRY PROGRAMS AT A GLANCE:
1: CONFIRMATION PREPARATION:
A 1 year program (September - May) for youth 8th-12th grade seeking to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Parent and youth Orientation Session begins Wednesday, September 5th (Inquiring parents can receive handouts, calendars, forms, etc.) at 7pm.
PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW SESSION DATES: Two Wednesday evenings a month, from 7pm-8:30pm at the Thomas House Basement, St. Thomas Aquinas Church. First Session Begins: Wednesday, September 12 from 7pm-8:30pm. REGISTRATION FOR CONFIRMATION PREP NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 10th.
For more information about the Youth Confirmation Prep Program, including additional required Forms, expectations, and Meeting dates, go to the link below. Additional Confirmation forms may be found under the Documents section.
http://www.paloaltocatholic.net/confirmation-2: MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH MINISTRY (The EDGE) and HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH MINISTRY (Life Teen):
The EDGE and Life Teen are our Catholic middle school groups for all youth in the parish. They provide a space and place for youth to find solid Catholic community, to get answers to their questions about faith, and, most importantly, to experience Jesus in a profound and personal way
NEW YOUTH MINISTRY FORMAT THIS YEAR:
In an effort align ministry with our new focus (Connecting Families, Fostering Hearts of Service, and Creating Encounter Experiences), the ministry format for Life Teen and EDGE this year will test out the following format:
Weekly:
Small Group Bible Study Squads - All teens will be strongly encouraged to join together with other teens in groups of 3-8 for the Semester who will journey through their faith in weekly small group discussions, bonding and dive deeper into Scripture and Church teaching. Teens will be able to request to be in groups of friends that they know, or they may be open to getting to know new teens for the semester. The weekly 1 hr sessions will be facilitated by the youth minister and other willing leaders for a set number of weeks. To help foster community, we will ask for families to be willing to host the sessions at home where all can gather (adults will need to undergo a Live Scan background check and Safe Environment training). Best of all, the group gets to decide on a day and time of the week that works for everyone to ensure consistency for 6-8 weeks.
Monthly:
Each month on Sundays (Times will vary), the following events may take place
- Large Youth Group Gatherings (Edge nights for Middle School, Life Nights for High School)
- Service days (For all teens and families)
- Offsite Social days (Such as Laser Tag - Parents v Teens, Bowling Nights, etc.)
- 6pm Life Teen Youth Mass at Our Lady of the Rosary Church
Throughout the Year:
We will participate in fun and transforming youth events such as:
- Weekend Retreats
- Youth Conferences
- Worship Concerts
- Other Catholic events as teens and families are interested.
2018-2019 Kickoff Day - Late September 2018
For more information about these groups, including Calendar dates, event forms, and newsletter subscription, go to the links below:
The EDGE
http://www.paloaltocatholic.net/edge-6-8th-gradesLife Teen
http://www.paloaltocatholic.net/life-teen-9-12th-gradesOur ministry website will be continually updated with flyers and updated calendars as needed.
*Month of August 2018 Note* Please be patient as calendar dates and flyers are being published according to our new ministry format.
