Saints Michael & Theresa s Youth Ministry Program 908-276-5990 Email: rich@stmtym.com Website : www.stmtym.com Instagram: STMTYM Twitter: St. MikeTheresaYM Facebook: Saint Michael and Theresa Youth Ministry
WHAT IS YOUTH MINISTRY??? The first goal of youth ministry is "to empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today." The second goal is "to draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the faith community." The third goal of youth ministry is "to foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person. WE try to all this by our events.. Trips, and things we offer here at our program. Youth Group is one of the solutions to the bigness of our culture and to the size of our church. This group is a great way to connect with other young people and develop friendships with those who are trying to grow in their relationship with God. Our dream is that every young person who comes to St Michael and Theresa s Youth Ministry on a Thursday can call it their home and will know they are welcome at Youth Ministry! WHAT IS OUR MISSION STATEMENT Our program has a mission statement.. It reads. We, the members of Saints Michael & Theresa Youth Ministry come together to unify the youth of our communities. We look to make a difference by encouraging teens to live, understand, and enjoy their faith each and every day. We are today s youth making an impact on the world of tomorrow. ARE WE ON THE WEB??? Absolutely!!! Our youth group has a web page...the address is www.stmtym.com The Web Page is updated weekly with new items. The web page has the most up to date schedule, news and lots of pictures. We also maintain a Twitter, Instagram and Facebook page. Those address s are on the front of this booklet. WHERE IS THE YOUTH MINISTRY OFFICE?? The Youth Ministry Office is located in St. Michael s school, just off the cafeteria area. Rich and Valeria are in the Office at St. Michaels usually on Sunday s and in the Office on Thursday s before a Jr. High meeting. HOWEVER we do have a mailbox where paperwork, etc can be dropped off at BOTH the Parish Center at St. Mikes and the Rectory at St. Theresa s.
Meet...RICH Rich is the Youth Minister of our Program. Originally from Cranford (St. Mikes being his parish as he grew up) Rich was the Youth Minister for 14 years at St. Theresa s where he oversaw the High School and Jr. High Youth Ministry Programs there. This is his 6th year as the Youth Minister of Saints Michael & Theresa YM. Rich is also an Associate Director in the Archdiocesan Youth Ministry Office. He oversees Training, Special Events, Athletics, Scouting and Summer Camp. In this position he works with the Athletics programs for grammar school children, and helps bring hundreds of teens together from throughout the Archdiocese for mega youth gatherings or events and helps to train adults to carry out youth ministry in their parishes. During the summer months he oversees the Archdiocesan Summer Camp program, overseeing a staff of 50 and close to 550 children ages 4to 12. Rich is also on the Board of Directors for the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry - serving as the Region 3 (NJ & PA) Rep to the National Board. An avid Yankees, Giants and Devils fan Rich resides in Rahway, with his two children Abby and Emily. Rich can be contacted via email at rich@stmtym.com. Meet VALERIA Valeria Downey, is our Associate Youth Minister. This is Val's third year in this position, after having been one our chaperones for 3 years prior. A graduate of St. Michael s School, and a St. Michael s Youth Ministry member in high school - Valeria has been involved with both St. Theresa s and St. Michael s for close to twenty years now. She has been a regular fixture as a Head Chaperone on our trips and events. Valeria works at Westfield Imaging Center in Westfield as a PACS Administrator. Valeria also works for the Archdiocesan Youth & Young Adult Ministry Office as the Archdiocesan Grammar School Volleyball League Coordinator - overseeing the league that has 20 girls grammar school teams in it. Valeria resides in Cranford and is married to one of our programs chaperones Kevin RJ Downey who teaches Religion at Mother Seton Regional HS. They have a dog named Chance. Valeria is very excited to get the chance to work with the Jr. High Program and continue on with the High School Program while also working with the programs leadership group in carrying out Youth Ministry for St. Michael s and St. Theresa s. Valeria can be contacted at vdowney74@yahoo.com.
THE CHAPERONES Our Youth Ministry Program has a group of adults that volunteer their time and talents to help the program. They are here to be of assistance to you and to be here to help. They range from teachers, to contractors, from computer wiz s to office managers. All the chaperones have gone through a process to be chosen and truly want to see all grow in their faith relationship. We also have one or two young adults that are college age students that help with various aspects of the program. They also have gone through a screening process to be selected. All chaperones in our program have gone through the appropriate safe environment training required by the Archdiocese of Newark. THE T.E.A.M. The St Theresa s Youth Ministry Leadership Team called the T.E.A.M... which means Teens Engaged in Active Ministry is made up of dedicated, outgoing, and caring teens who put their hearts into making our community a loving place. They meet once a week to plan events and experiences for the High School Program. Our successful Team is an integral component of Youth Ministry at STMTYM. This group of high school students will be working with the Jr. High Program each time we meet.
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL NIGHT LOOK LIKE @ SAINT S MICHAEL & THERESA JR. HIGH YOUTH MINISTRY? TYPICALLY on the SECOND and FOURTH Thursday night we will gather for our topic meeting. Though sometime the schedule varies slightly we do follow a basic format 7:00 pm Doors Open Time to hang out, sign ups, etc 7:35 pm We start gathering members together in the gym 7:40 pm Icebreakers (we usually play one of two games/ activities for members to get to know each other) 8:00 pm Gather in Youth Room for our Topic Discussion This includes Skits/ Presentations/ Small group discussions 8:35 pm Wrap Up/ End our gathering in Prayer 8:40 pm Time to relax, sign ups,. Etc 9:00 pm Night ends WHAT ARE THE BASIC RULES? Like anything there are basic rules to our Program. These mainly include RESPECT. Respecting OUR PROPERTY and ALL WE HAVE, Respecting EACH OTHER (by language and actions) Respecting and being YOURSELF. Once Teens enter they cannot leave to into town, friends houses, etc. Your parents expect that you at youth group. If you need further explanation or have a question on anything please see Rich, Valeria a TEAM member.
A Look at our Schedule Thur. Jan 21st Meeting 7 9pm Thur. Feb 11th Meeting 7 9pm Thur. Feb 25th Meeting 7 9pm Thur. March 10th Meeting 7 9 pm Thur. April 14th Meeting 7 9pm Thur. April 28th Meeting 7 9pm Sunday May 1 8th graders invited to HS YM meeting Thursday May 5 Meeting 7-9pm Thursday May 26th Meeting 7-9pm PLEASE NOTE: If for any reason a meeting needs to be cancelled it will be posted on our Website, Twitter, and Instagram accounts and also via email to all members. March there is only ONE meeting due to Holy Thursday May dates are different due to school plays, concerts, etc already scheduled This is not school. If you miss a meeting you do not need to call out. Just jump back in on the next scheduled meeting!