Youth Ministry

YMAT

YOU make it happen. The Youth Ministry Advisory Team is a group of teens and adults that work to bring new ideas to help build effective ministry for Jr and Sr. High teens. This coming year we are especially looking for creative people with experience or interest in electronic communication, marketing, theology, and having fun.

We have a couple of big ideas that need your creativity and energy to help us succeed. If you have a background or interest in the in these areas or if you would like to be part of a team that makes a difference in the lives of teens, contact Barry at 763-425-9801 ext. 235 or send an email to bshay@sjtw.net

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Mission Trips

We are pleased to offer our teens a choice of two mission trips in 2011. Mission trips offer: an experience of service to others as Jesus modeled to us; an opportunity to build friendships and experience Christian community; a time for personal spiritual growth and focus on relationship with God; an opportunity to learn about other cultures; an opportunity to learn about poverty and social justice; and a chance to put our Catholic faith to work in real life situations.

St. Theresa of Avila put it this way: “ Christ has no body now but yours, no hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which He looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which He walks to do good. Yours are the hands with which He blesses all the world.”

Stop by the Faith Formation office to pick up your registration paper work.

Christpower is a powerful week-long urban immersion mission in North Minneapolis and St. Paul. Christpower draws youth from a coalition of suburban parishes to work for, minister to and learn from urban communities in our own back yard.

Teens will have the opportunity to serve by painting, performing yard work, helping with indoor/outdoor clean-up, and home maintenance. They will also help local Catholic charities, and have the opportunity to build lasting relationships through service and love. Teens will also participate in daily Mass, Reconciliation, praise and worship, small group faith sharing, and a variety of fun social activities.

Teens currently in grades 9 through 12 and adult chaperones are eligible to attend. Space is limited, non-parishioners may apply but priority goes to SJTW teens.

For information on registration, pricing, fundraising and an experience you won’t forget contact Barry Shay at 763-425-9801 ext. 235 ( bshay@sjtw.net) Registration

How do I sign up? Christpower is currently full. Please contact the Faith Formation Office immediately if you wish to be added to our waiting list.

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Catholic Heart Workcamp

At Catholic HEART Workcamp teens from across the country gather to pray, play and work together. Teens will help Saint Louis area residents with exterior and interior painting, yard work, indoor/outdoor clean-up, home maintenance, neighborhood revitalization projects, helping with children at daycare centers/boys and girls clubs for low income families, helping at centers that distribute food to the needy, restoring hope to those who have none.

For information on registration, pricing, fundraising and an experience you won’t forget contact Barry Shay at 763-425-9801 ext. 235 ( bshay@sjtw.net) Registration

How much does it cost? The cost is estimated at $550. Fundraising will be organized with participating teens throughout the spring to lower the cost.

How do I sign up? Turn in a Mission Trip Pre-Registration form with a non-refundable deposit of $75.00 to the Faith Formation Office by March 1st, 2011.

June 14, 21, 28, July 12, 19, and August 3 (ValleyFair)

What is Summer Stretch? A program for all teens entering 7th, 8th and 9th grade in the Fall of 2011. We meet from 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM on five Tuesdays. Dates for 2011 are: June 14, 21, 28 July 12 & 19. We end the program with Mass and a trip to Valley Fair on Wednesday, August 4th. Each Tuesday we spend the mornings at area service sites doing Christ’s work. We spend the afternoons having fun and building friendships with various recreational activities. The fee for 2011 is $135. The Registration Deadline is April 30, 2011; however keep in mind that space is limited and some slots may fill before the deadline date.

All current 6 to 8th graders may pick-up forms to register for Summer Stretch starting on Ash Wednesday. Forms will be available on the table outside the Faith Formation office.

All parents signing up their teens will must to volunteer to drive twice during the program and have completed both a background check and VIRTUS training. The paperwork for background checks and info on how to register for Virtus are available in the New Volunteer Summer Stretch (Blue) Packets.

Stop by the Faith Formation office to pick up your registration paper work.

Thank you for your interest in signing up for Summer Stretch this year!

Job Description: Summer Stretch group leaders are high school students who actively lead Junior High students through their Summer Stretch experience. Leaders facilitate small groups, help provide site supervision, role model Christian values and behavior, guide Junior High students to complete assigned tasks, help with meals, pray with and for their group members, engage Junior High participants in recreational activities and develop positive spiritually, enhancing relationships with them and their fellow Summer Stretch leaders.

Qualifications: Summer Stretch leaders must be in grades 10-12 as of Fall 2011 and be members of SJTW. Previous leadership experience is a plus. Leaders need to be assertive, kind, flexible, committed to the schedule, and above average in their desire to serve their Church and community. Leaders must attend one of the leaders training dates on May 26th or 27th from 6:30 to 8:00 PM here at SJTW. Cost for the leaders program involvement is $70 and DUE by April 30, 2011. If you are not selected, your fee will be returned to you. In addition to this form, please submit a reference check with your application (see Fr. Mike’s letter). If you have already done this in the past, do not submit it again.

Selection Process: Due to the limited number of leader positions, not all who apply will be able to serve as leaders. This is a very important job in that the leadership seriously affects the quality of the Summer Stretch program. Leaders will be selected by Barry Shay and Joan Burnett based upon the following criteria: The desire to serve as a positive role model for other teens, leadership experience (there is a qualitative need for a solid core number of experienced leaders) gender, and grade in school (will strive for an equal number of male and female leaders from each grade). Experience with Summer Stretch or

Summer Stretch dates to Remember:

We will also be doing work around the parish with the Garden Ministry, Angel Quilters, Vacation Bible School, Maintenance staff and other parish ministries.

Fun and Faith events are great volunteer opportunities for you and your friends to make a difference and have some fun. These Saturday events involve serving in some kind of ministry in the morning followed by a fun/social activity in the afternoon. Past events have included Mary’s Place/Twins game and Mary’s Place/Vikings game. Keep an eye on the parish bulletin and enews for upcoming events.

This annual multi-church event at the Maple Grove Community Center draws over 500 Junior High teens for an exciting night of skating, swimming, dancing and hanging out with friends. Plan to attend with your friends from other area churches!

The evening events include swimming pool (water slide and climbing wall), ice arena access (free skate rental or bring your own), inflatable games, laser tag, dodge ball, basketball, a DJ, and late night pizza. This event is open to teens in 7th through 9th grade. The cost for 2012 has not been determined yet.