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LIFE TEEN and SENIOR HIGH
St. Joseph the Worker's Senior High Faith Formation Ministry invites all Ninth through Twelfth Grade teens to deepen their faith lives, to pray, and to experience the love of God, while putting into practice the teachings of Jesus. To guide young people on their faith journey, we offer a four year program where teens are mentored in small faith-sharing communities.
Our ministry consists of small groups of teens from the same grade level that remain together for four years. By learning, serving, playing, and praying together, the youth are encouraged to support one another in a Christian environment. Our Senior High Faith Formation Program offers a variety of opportunities that encourage teens to live the Gospel.
In addition to the required small group experience, teens may elect to participate in peer ministry through a group called J-Team, which meets monthly. J-Team is a teen-driven ministry for those who would like to further share their faith and talents with the Church and community at large. J-Team members act as a council for the Senior High Program, help lead retreats for the Elementary and Junior High grades and engage in service projects and implement social events for the entire Senior High Program. To get involved, teens may contact Barry Shay or drop in on any scheduled J-Team meeting.
Barry Shay
Grade 7-12 Faith Formation Coordinator/Youth Minister
763-425-9801, ext. 235
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Grades 9-12 Faith Formation Program 2007-2008
Faith Formation for grades 9-12 is offered on Sunday evenings here at St. Joseph the Worker. The Life TeenTM program calls for teens to participate in the 5:30 p.m. liturgy, participate in Life Nights (Life Teen program) which incorporates, music, interactive games and activities as well as large and small group sessions for catechesis. The evening concludes at 8:30 p.m. Even though there will be designated weekends for catechesis based on grade level, teens are invited to participate in any of the 5:30 liturgies, Life Nights and engage in fellowship afterwards on any weekend.
Why 5:30 PM Liturgy
The Eucharist is the pinnacle of our faith life. Participating in the liturgy and being an active part of our faith community is central to our Catholic identity. Liturgy participation has always been a Confirmation preparation objective. Under this model, the liturgy is a major part of the catechesis and our priest plays a direct active role in the teens’ faith formation.
Worshiping together builds community. Through prayer, music, and proclaiming the Word of God the liturgy connects young people to each other and to our whole parish community. This model is not exclusive in any sense, and should be viewed as inclusive of everyone. The 5:30 p.m. Sunday liturgy is not a "teen liturgy" although some messages of the homilies may be geared toward them. Everyone in the community is invited to participate in this liturgy, as always. Parents are welcome to participate in this liturgy and/or to participate in the evening program by being catechists, aides, and helping with snacks.
The Sacraments experienced during the 5:30 p.m. liturgy act as a natural springboard for our Life Night program. We are able to build off of the graces that we have received and lessons that we learned during Mass. We are then able to connect the experience of the liturgy to a more familiar, social/educational setting, to more fully integrate their faith in their everyday life.
What if our family wants to participate at liturgy together at a different time? Does our teen have to go to the 5:30 p.m. liturgy?
The program is not intended to keep families from participating in a liturgy together. Your whole family is invited to the 5:30 p.m. liturgy, but it is not mandatory to attend only the 5:30 p.m. Mass. The important thing is for our teens to be participants in our weekend liturgy. If you opt to go as a family at a different time, then you are to document when your teen has participated in a liturgy. Your teen, however, still needs to be part of the evening session that begins at 7:00 p.m. and ends at 8:30 p.m.
How does this affect the Confirmation Program?
Confirmation preparation is designed to complement the Life Teen program. Preparation begins in 10th grade and concludes at the end of 11th grade. Teens are expected to attend three Super Sunday events. Super Sunday is held in the afternoon, prior to the 5:30 p.m. Super Sundays are the immediate preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation.
Confirmation
In Eleventh grade, upon completion of program requirements, teens may celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation. For details on our Confirmation program please visit the Sacraments page.
Objectives of Confirmation Candidates
• Make time to pray each day.
• Attend and participate fully in weekly Liturgy.
• Fully participate in the Life Teen Program.
• Experience what it means to serve others through completion of a variety of service projects completing a minimum of 30 hours of service before being confirmed.
• Participate in two retreats: Attend the Tenth Grade Confirmation Retreat and one other retreat experience. Most young people use TEC as their second required retreat. The Youth Minister must approve retreats outside of the parish.
• Attend Confirmation Super Sundays.
• Complete the Sponsor/Candidate Program.
• Interview with a member of St. Joseph the Worker's parish community. Teens must have the completed Confirmation packet with them at the interview.
• Write a letter to the Bishop describing your preparation and readiness for Confirmation.
Our Confirmation date for 2008 is Monday, April 28th at 7:00 p.m. at the Basilica in Minneapolis.
The Living Stations
Presented by the 9th Grade Faith Formation Groups
During Lent 2008
Each year, the 9th grade Faith Formation groups present the Living Stations for the whole parish. This year, they will be presented twice - once during Junior High Faith Formation session and the other in place of the Friday Stations of the Cross. All are welcome to attend either presentation.
Under the direction of Cindi Scheffler, the 9th grade teens act out all 15 stations. Combined with lighting and music, this experience allows the audience to enter into the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Throughout the experience, all are asked to reflect upon the sacrifice Christ offered up for our sins and help us prepare for His resurrection on Easter Sunday.
9 – 12th grade Social Justice and service projects
Each year, each group decides what type of service they would like to do and then where they can do that service. Each group varies, some projects that groups have done in the past are: package food at Feed My Starving Children, serving meals at Loaves and Fishes, assist with a Knights of Columbus pancake breakfast, and purchase items for the parish Christmas giving tree.
Beginning in 9th grade, the teens are able to start counting and documenting their volunteer hours for confirmation.
TEC DATES
For Teens finishing Tenth Grade or in Eleventh Grade. TEC (To Encounter Christ) is an intensive experience of living in a Christian community and discovering a deeper understanding of what it means to live the Paschal Mystery in our daily lives: dying and rising with Christ.
The retreats begin at 9:30 a.m. on the first day, and end at 4:30 p.m. on the third day. Cost is $125 per student. You can obtain a registration form from a group leader or from a file on the SJW Youth Ministry Office door. Complete the registration form and send it in directly to TEC with payment. Due to the nature of the retreat, you need to be present for the entire retreat. Space is available on a first-come basis, so please check your schedule to see which TEC fits your needs. Further information on TEC can be obtained by contacting the TEC Office at 651-281-0085. The TEC web site is www.twincitiestec.org. TEC Retreats are held at the NET Center in West St. Paul. Spaces are limited so please sign up well in advance!
Senior Dinner and Baccalaureate
In the spring of each year, the Senior High Program honors our Twelfth grade teens with a Baccalaureate Prayer and Senior Dinner – date to be announced. For more information, contact Barry Shay.
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2007-2008 LifeNight and SuperSunday Schedule
(LifeNights are 6:30-8:30 pm and Super Sundays are 3:30-5:15 pm unless noted otherwise)
Grades 9 & 10 LifeNight Schedule
September 23 LifeTeen & Confirmation Orientation
Session for ALL teens Gr. 9-12 6:30-8:00 pm
October 7, 28
November 4, 18
December 9
January 6-8 (all teens are expected to attend a minimum of 1 night of the Parish Mission -8:30 pm)
January 13
February 10, 24
March 9
April 6, 20
Grade 10 Super Sunday Schedule
December 2
February 3
April 13
Gr. 10 Confirmation Retreat Weekend November 10-11 (times TBA)
Grades 11 & 12 LifeNight Schedule
September 23 LifeTeen & Confirmation Orientation
Session for ALL teens Gr. 9-12
6:30-8:00 pm
September 30
October 14
November 4, 11
December 2, 16
January 6-8 (all teens are expected to attend a minimum of 1 night of the Parish Mission 7-8:30 pm)
January 27
February 3, 24
March 2, 16
April 13
Grade 11 Super Sunday Schedule
October 7
January 13
April 27 (6:30-8:30)
Gr. 11 Confirmation Celebration April 28 at 7:00 pm
LifeNight Catechist Inservices
Returning catechists may choose one of the following dates:
Thursday, September 13 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, September 20 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Winter Inservice for All Catechists
Thursday, January 3 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Year End Party for All Catechists
Wednesday, May 7 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
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