Junior Youth Group
is for 6th, 7th and 8th grade students. Our main focus is to help these young adults establish a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to develop an understanding of what it means and how to live life as a disciple. This is done through fun, community building activities such as icebreakers, skits, group discussions and socializing with their peers. Also planned are community service projects, fundraisers, day trips to Six Flags, the beach, mini golf, etc. We welcome
all students in these grades and their friends (Catholic or not)!
Meetings are once a month. Schedules are available in the Office of Youth Ministry.
High School Youth Group
is a group of High School age youth seeking to explore and deepen their faith through experiences of faith community. We strive to create a Christian environment of sharing, support, compassion and understanding, charity and service. Our goal is to create an environment and programs that will give our youth the opportunity to recognize God's presence in their lives and in the world.
Meetings and Gatherings
We meet mostly on Sunday evenings during the year and through out the summer. Our structure is flexible and we always welcome new members.
Programs and Events
- Confirmation
- Peer Ministry Training
- Youth Group once or twice a month 6:30-8:30
- Service for our Community and Parish
- Soup Kitchens, Rebuilding Together and Hunger Walk
- Retreats
- Social events: Christian concerts, Youth Spectacular, Laser Tag
- Faith Events & Gatherings
- Catholic Youth Conferences on a National, Regional & Diocesan Level
- World Youth Day with Pope in Australia in 2008
- Week Long Mission Trips
- Fund-raising events
Parish Support and Needs
As our youth and their needs are ever changing, so must our ministry. So we invite anyone of any age with special talents and gifts to become involved in this rewarding, fun and faith filled ministry. We are always looking to expand our adult volunteer team; involvement would be gladly received on a one-time basis or at weekly meetings. We always need help in the following areas: Fundraisers, publicity, workshops, chaperones for social events, retreats, youth group meetings, day trips, drivers, and any new ideas and suggestions you may be able to offer.
Youth Ministry Theology
In a world that often models conflicting values, morals, and ways of living, it is important to participate
in programs that foster healthy living and passes on the life-giving message of Jesus.
We try to create an environment and programs that will give our youth the opportunity to recognize God's
presence in their lives and in the world. Our parish family encourages our youth to nourish their minds and
hearts with the word of God and to grow as active Christians.
Come be a part of this very "special faith community." All who enter will experience God's love and presence.
Components of Youth Ministry
Out reach/
evangelization |
Welcoming environment, parent programs, teen issues, Peer outreach |
| Word & Catechesis |
Confirmation, Peer Ministry, Religious Education Teachers, Teaching God's Word Through Prayer Experience |
| Community Building |
Retreats, youth group,social activities, trips |
| Prayer & Worship |
Lector, Cantor, Youth Choir, Special Youth Liturgies, Interfaith Programs, Group Prayer Experiences |
| Justice & Service |
Service Projects, Peace & Non-Violence Programs, Youth Rallies |
| Guidance & Healing |
Ministering to those in Need, Support Groups, Prayer, Sharing Sessions |
| Enablement |
Peer Leadership, Parish-wide Youth Involvement, Youth on Parish Ministry Team |
Confirmation
Grades Nine and Ten
High School begins a minicourse in exploring our Catholic faith. Each theme is solid doctrinal content with an interactive format. The teens will be helped to relate scripture to their lives and put their faith into practice.
The aim of this program is to help our young people bring their faith to the surface, to strengthen it,
and to share it with others. This is well expressed in a poem:
Dear God, Walk with me at this period in my life.
Help me to make the right decisions about my future.
Dear God, Help me to take my accomplishments humbly.
And help me to take my failures courageously.
Dear God, Help my parents to let go of me.
And let me be more understanding of their difficulties in letting me go.
Dear God, Help me to know and trust that you are there, even in my most trying times.
And, when there are no answers, dear God, give me faith.
Amen.
- 1. Class Times
- Confirmation Class is the first Sunday of every month from 6:00-8:30.
- 2. Attendance
- Perfect attendance in the monthly Confirmation process is expected. This demonstrates that the candidate has
the maturity required to participate in the program. Candidates must also attend parent/teen nights, retreats,
one service event each year, and any special programs. If there is a family emergency and you are not able to attend class, please call the
office. This is the procedure we will follow: Attend one youth group meeting and notify Vicky of attendance at this meeting.
- 3. Attendance at Liturgy
- Since the family of God gathers together as a parish community at the weekly liturgy, candidates are expected
to attend weekly liturgy. Frequent reception of Holy Eucharist and reception of the sacrament of Reconciliation
are required.
- 4. Stewardship and Service
- Candidates are required to complete one service project, but are welcome to attend other class service projects. Candidates have many opportunities to participate in parish service projects. The parish Confirmation
preparation process attempts to provide opportunities of experiences which will help the candidates uncover
and respond to basic human needs, while demonstrating Jesus' understanding of and response to humans in need.
- 5. Participation in days of prayer and retreat
- Candidates will participate in a day retreat in the Spring of their freshman year and a retreat
in the Fall of their sophomore year. The candidates may attend a weekend retreat. Retreats are sponsored by
St. Bartholomew Youth Ministry Team in the winter.
- 6. Confirmation Name
- As a candidate is initiated into the Church, he or she takes a saint name. It should be one which is in accord
with the Christian spirit (a saint's name, other than a candidate's Baptismal name). A form with your reasons
for choosing the saint is expected at the end of the preparation process.
- 7. Pastoral Guidelines for Parents (Archdiocesan Office)
- The initiation of children into the sacramental life is for the most part the responsibility and concern of
Christian parents. They are to form and gradually increase a spirit of faith in the children and, with the
help of catechetical institutions, prepare them for the fruitful reception of the sacraments of Confirmation
and the Eucharist. Where the faith of the parents is manifestly weak, the Confirmation of their children provides a teachable
moment for spiritual renewal. However, the event should be viewed as an occasion for affirmation and hope,
not challenge and confrontation.
- 8. Choosing a Sponsor
- A sponsor should be chosen in the beginning of your freshman year so they can walk through your faith journey
with you. A sponsor should be:
- A practicing, faith-filled Roman Catholic adult who is confirmed.
- Someone you feel free to talk with about a variety of topics, especially religion.
- Willing to participate in the Confirmation process; willing to pray for the candidate.
- A man or woman you respect and look up to.
- Willing to share his or her experience of faith.
Consider especially:
- either of your godparents
- an aunt or uncle
- a neighbor
- a former religion teacher
- a teacher at school
- an active member of your parish
- an adult mentor
Parents may not be sponsors.
- 9. Forms (pdf)
-
Confirmation Registration
Confirmation Medical
Choosing a Name
Choosing a Sponsor
