Welcome to Family and Youth Ministries!
Family Faith Formation
Grades K-6
The Church assists parents in handing on the Catholic faith to their children. Short (20 minute) weekly sessions form children to live the Christian life well. Sessions focus on the Gospel proclaimed at Sunday Mass and how it relates to the faith we profess (creed), celebrate (sacraments), live (morality), and offer (prayer). Weekly sessions incorporate videos, activities, presentations, and home assessments.
Youth Ministry
The Church accompanies youth as they strive to live the Christian life. Weekly gatherings help youth to form a community of faith through games, prayer, learning, and sharing. Retreats, youth conferences, and special events encourage youth to participate in the mission of the Church.
Blaze: Elementary School Youth Ministry
Grades K-6
Blaze, our Elementary School Youth Group, is open to all children in grades K-5. This is an age-appropriate, high-energy, fun-filled ministry to learn about the Catholic Faith. Children will develop a community of faithful friends to walk with for years to come.
Blaze also includes various activities and events throughout the year (Christmas Caroling, Christmas Pageant, May Crowning, etc). All of these activities, and how to register, will be included in the Family & Youth Ministry Tuesday Newsletter.
Blaze gathers Monthly on Saturdays from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM at Sacred Heart.
EDGE: Middle School Youth Ministry
Grades 6-8
Edge, our Middle School Youth Group, is open for all youth in grades 6-8. In this hands-on approach to learning about our Catholic Faith, sessions are tailored to the topics the youth desire to learn more about.
Edge also includes various activities and events throughout the year (Frightmare Farms, TEENSgiving, Visitation of Churches, etc.). All of these activities, and how to register, will be included in the
Family & Youth Ministry Tuesday Email Newsletter.
Edge gathers weekly on Sundays from 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM at Divine Mercy.
Life Teen: High School Youth Ministry
Grades 9-12
Life Teen, our High School Youth Group, is open to all teens in grades 9-12.
Life Teen is intended to draw teens closer to following Christ through the Scripture. Teens will unpack specific books of the Bible and explore how they can become disciples of Jesus.
Life Teen gathers weekly on Thursdays from 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM at Divine Mercy. The schedule for the evening is as follows:
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM: Adoration
6:30 PM - 7:00 PM: Dinner
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Bible Study
Life Teen also includes various activities and events throughout the year (Frightmare Farms, TEENSgiving, Visitation of Churches, etc.). All of these activities, and how to register, will be included in the Family & Youth Ministry Tuesday Newsletter.
Sacramental Preparation
First Penance, First Eucharist, Confirmation
First Penance
The Church assists parents in helping to prepare their children to make a good confession. Preparation takes place over a period of two years. Children and their parents attend Sunday Mass and weekly Family Faith Formation sessions. In their second year of preparation, two mandatory workshops are also required. Children then make their first confession at a special Penance Service.
First Eucharist
The Church assists parents in helping to prepare their children to receive the Eucharist. Preparation takes place over a period of two years simultaneous with preparation for first Penance. Two mandatory workshops and a mandatory rehearsal are also required. Children then receive Holy Communion for the first time at a special Sunday Mass.
Confirmation
The Church accompanies youth as they prepare to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation. Preparation takes place over a period of two years. Youth attend Sunday Mass and weekly sessions. Two mandatory workshops, two mandatory retreats (one each year), mandatory service hours (15 each year), mandatory projects (sacramental records, saint biography, and letter to the Bishop), and a mandatory rehearsal are required. Proposed sponsors must meet Church requirements to qualify.
Going to Mass
*Going to Mass on Sundays (worship) is at the heart of living the Christian life. It is part of the Third Commandment and a precept of the Church. It is what the Lord himself requires of his disciples. Therefore, it is required for all sacramental preparation programs. Sunday Mass is also offered on Saturday evenings (anticipated). Sunday Mass may be attended at any Catholic parish. Those in sacramental preparation are required to demonstrate that they are going to Mass either by signing in at the parish or by bringing a signed bulletin (by the priest) from another parish.
