Youth Ministry Programs Family Mass We invite students from our Religious Education program to help serve during the Liturgy. All families are invited to join us for this youth-friendly celebration of the Liturgy. Jump4Jesus An age-appropriate Liturgy of the Word offered for ages 5 and up, once a month, at the 9:30 a.m. Mass. Just before the Liturgy of the Word begins, children are invited to go with the leaders from the church to the lower level. During this special time, the volunteer teacher leads the children through prayers, songs and readings that are simplified for children. The children are taught a simplified main message of the readings and are encouraged to share that message with their parents after Mass. Vacation Bible School Usually held during the first week of August, each year a new fun theme is chosen to teach children Bible stories, religious songs, arts and crafts, skits, or puppet shows which cater toward elementary school-aged children. Confirmation Program This program is designed to guide young people of our churches to take greater personal responsibility for those promises, which were first made for them at their Baptism by their parents and godparents. As candidates preparing for Confirmation, these young people have the choice and opportunity to deepen their relationship with God and to become a more integrated and active member of their parish. The process of preparation is meant to help each young person make an informed and free decision about following Jesus as a young Catholic. This program traditionally begins when the student has reached 9th grade. Columbian Squires An international fraternity of approximately 25,000 Catholic young men, ages 10 to 18. The Squires involves young men in programs to benefit the Church, the community, as well as in recreational and social activities. St. Francis Day ~ Blessing of Animals To celebrate the Feast of St. Francis on October 4th, all are welcome to join in the blessing of pets and other animals (live or stuffed). Stories about Saint Francis are shared and precede the blessing in front of The Lyceum. Stations of the Cross in Silhouette - A powerful presentation of the Station s of the Cross-through the eyes of his mother, Mary. This program is presented by our youth, each year, on the last Friday of Lent. Rocket Launch After learning about the science behind rocketry, our youth and those feeling like youth, enjoy an afternoon of launching model rockets, each September, as part of our Community Picnic at the Terryville Fairgrounds. Babysitting-Movie Night - Need to do some Christmas Shopping? Each December we host children for a night of fun, so that parents can run some errands before Christmas. Activities included are movies, video games, pizza and snacks. Teen Christmas Party Immediately following our Advent Penance Service, all students 7th-12th grade are invited to the Teen Christmas Party! The party includes a cookie exchange, Christmas, songs, movies, and games. Snow Ball Dance - A winter dance, open and free to everyone! The dance is held the first Friday in January. Events for the night include music, dancing, snacks, and games. Archery Day Visiting the archery range and learning how to properly a bow, nock an arrow, aim and shoot Archery is a favorite activity for youth. An Archery Specialist begins the session by teaching the Rules of the Range to promote safety first. Youth Ministry Fundraising Auction As our biggest annual fundraiser, the Youth Ministry Fundraising Auction raises the funds necessary for us to provide our programs for free or at a reduced rate. Future Program Ideas: Squire Roses Youth Choir Coffee And after Family Masses
Youth Ministry Schedule* Fall 2015 - Summer 2016 Date Time Location Activity Sun., 9/13 9:30 a.m. Jump4Jesus Sun., 9/20 2 p.m. 5 p.m. Terryville Fairgrounds Terryville Fairgrounds Greg Wasinski - Speaker Rocket Launch Sat., 10/3 9 a.m. Adoration Education Sun., 10/4 9:30 a.m. Jump4Jesus Sun., 10/4 12 p.m. The Lyceum Event Center Blessing of Animals Sun., 10/18 9:30 a.m. 6:30-8:30 p.m. The Lyceum Event Center Family Mass 10 th Gr. Confirmation Program Sun., 11/8 9:30 a.m. Jump4Jesus Mon., 11/9 7 p.m. Immaculate Conception Sacrament of Confirmation Sun., 11/15 10:45 a.m. Immaculate Conception Family Mass 8 th Gr. Thurs., 12/10 5 p.m. 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. The Lyceum Event Center Youth Ministry Meeting Babysitting-Movie Night Sun., 12/13 9:30 a.m. Jump4Jesus Sun., 12/20 9:30 a.m. 4-6 p.m. The Lyceum Event Center Family Mass - 1 st & 4 th Gr. Penance Service & Christmas Party (Teens) Thurs., 1/7 5:00 p.m. The Lyceum Event Center Dance Set-up Fri., 1/8 6:30-8:30 p.m. The Lyceum Event Center Snowball Dance Sun., 1/17 10:45 a.m. Immaculate Conception Family Mass 7 th Gr. Thurs., 1/21 6:30 p.m. Meeting Room Auction Planning Sun., 1/24 9:30 a.m. Jump4Jesus Thurs., 2/4 5:00 p.m. The Lyceum Event Center Auction Set-up Fri., 2/5 5:30 p.m. - Preview The Lyceum Event Center YM Fundraising Auction 6:30 p.m. - Start Sun., 2/21 9:30 a.m. Jump4Jesus Sun., 2/28 9:30 a.m Family Mass - 3 rd & Kind. March - Collection of items for active military personnel bins in both churches Sun., 3/13 10:45 a.m. Immaculate Family Mass - 6 th Gr Fri., 3/18 7:00 p.m. Immaculate Stations in Silhouette Sun., 3/20 9:30 a.m. Jump4Jesus Sun., 4/10 9:30 a.m. Jump4Jesus Sun., 4/17 9:30 a.m. Family Mass 2 nd Gr. Sun., 5/1 1-2 p.m. Harwn Rod & Gun Archery Day Sun., 5/15 9:30 a.m. 10:45 a.m. Immaculate Jump4Jesus Family Mass 5 th & 9 th Gr. 8/1-5/2016 8:30 a.m. 12 p.m. The Lyceum Event Center Vacation Bible School *Dates are tentative check the bulletin or www.parish4u.info for the most accurate information Please keep J We hope to see you soon!
Youth Ministry Survey Hi! Over the past few years, our parishes have been working on developing a Youth Ministry program just for you and your families. As we continue to grow our programs, we d really like to hear from you, the parents and families of our parish, about how you d like to get involved and about what you would like our Youth Ministry program to be. We are looking for a wide variety of help and ideas that appeal to everyone. There is no commitment to join the youth group or anything like that. We just want to get to know you and hear your ideas and opinions and will only contact you for help, should you like to be more involved. Please take a few moments to complete this survey, and then we ll look at the survey results and plan events and activities based on what you have told us. Thank you for helping us! Programs 1. Have you or your student(s) participated in any of the following Youth Ministry programs? Please mark all that apply. Stations in Silhouette Columbian Squires Blessing of Animals Confirmation Program Archery Day 2. What programs would you or your student(s) be interested in? Please mark all that apply. Stations in Silhouette Columbian Squires Blessing of Animals Confirmation Program Archery Day Squire Roses Youth Choir Coffee Ands 3. What areas can Youth Ministry help you address as a parent? (Examples include: parenting, communication, understanding youth culture, connecting with my youth, understanding/sharing your faith, affirmation, self esteem, acceptance, fellowship, support, discipline, independence, substance abuse, premarital sex) 4. What resources would be helpful to address the areas above? Select all that apply. Parenting workshops/conferences Parenting books/articles Video Series Parent Retreat Parenting tips (published in a Newsletter and/or a parents section of the website) Other (please specify)
Community Service Many of our programs require efforts outside of the event date itself. We are often looking for a set-up team before hand, helpers during, and a cleanup crew after. We can find a way for you to help that fits your schedule. We could always use an extra hand! 1. If your student(s) are 13 or older, would they been interested in helping to before, during, or after any of the following programs: Stations in Silhouette Archery Day Blessing of Animals Confirmation Program Coffee Ands 2. Please list any specific talents your student(s) would like to share with Youth Ministry: 3. Are you interested in helping to before, during, or after any of the following programs? Please mark all that apply. Stations in Silhouette Archery Day Blessing of Animals Confirmation Program Coffee Ands Columbian Squires Squire Roses Youth Choir 4. Please list any specific talents you would like to share with Youth Ministry: Fundraising As our biggest annual fundraiser, the Youth Ministry Fundraising Auction raises the funds necessary for us to provide our programs for free or at a reduced rate. It includes both a silent auction and live auction. Buyers can obtain at a reduced rate many items, gift certificates, and event passes. There is a lot of planning that goes into an event of this magnitude and we are always looking for ideas and help to make this event more successful so that we have more funds available for our youth! 1. Have you attended the Youth Ministry Auction? 2. If yes, what attracts you to this event? If not, what would make you attend? 3. How are you willing to help? Please mark all that apply. Stuff letters to donors (2-3 months before) Move items to The Lyceum (week of auction) Track donations as they come in (as-needed before) Night-of Helper Night-of Clean up Ask local companies for donations (2 months before) Set-up for Auction (2-3 days before) Coordinate food/drink Thank yous Remove items leftover (weekend after auction) Donate an item Ticket sales Marketing Other
Communication 1. How do you hear about Youth Ministry activities? (Bulletin, newspaper, email, flyers, in church announcements, Twitter, etc.) 2. Please mark communication means you use below: Email Home Phone Cell phone Church Twitter (@parish4u) Snail Mail Church Bulletin Plymouth Connection Other newspapers Texting Church website (parish4u.info) Other (please specify) 3. How can we best keep contact with you regarding Youth Ministry activities? (Bulletin, newspaper, email, flyers, Twitter, etc.) Your Family 1. Help us connect the dots, who belongs to you? (student(s) name(s), age(s)) 2. To your knowledge, what does your student(s) like best about Youth Ministry? 3. To your knowledge, what does your student(s) like least about Youth Ministry? 4. Please indicate the best days of the week for your participation in Youth Ministry program planning meetings: Sunday afternoon Sunday evening Monday evening Tuesday evening Wednesday evening Thursday evening Friday evening Saturday morning Saturday afternoon Saturday evening Other Do you have any other comments, concerns, or suggestions? Please provide your contact information if you are interested in being informed regarding upcoming Youth Ministry events: Name: Phone: HOME CELL WORK TEXTING? YES NO Email: TWITTER: Please indicate the best way to contact you:.