Youth Ministries
Youth Ministry Mission Statement
We provide leadership, catechesis, retreats, service opportunities, social events, and ongoing Gospel-centered formation to assist our parish teenagers to deepen their experience of their Catholic faith and to become disciples of Jesus. We welcome all teenagers into full participation in our community. We accomplish this through our guidance, encouragement, companionship, participation with and evangelization of youth, 6th grade through 12th grade.
Junior High (6th-8th grades)
Regular Meeting Time:
Sundays via Zoom
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Junior High Contact:
Amanda Woyak
Phone- 253-875-6630
Email- YouthMinister@HolyDisciples.org
Our year of Youth Group has come to a close as of Sunday May 2nd, 2021. If your student was enrolled in Youth Group for the year of 2020-2021, you will receive an email with registration information between May and June. If you are interested in enrolling your student in the Junior High Youth Group, please contact Amanda via email. There will be a summer schedule published soon regarding summer opportunities for students, including a brief bible study and a few options for volunteering. More information coming soon!
Message from Amanda
"I am so proud of the students for making the best of Youth Group on Zoom this year! Every single one of them stepped up and found ways to continue pursuing Christ. We shared many laughs, a few vulnerable and honest moments, and got to know each other and create a community in a time when having community was essential. My heart is full and blessed by the year we had, and I anxiously await the day when we get to pursue Christ in person. I am praying for the health and safety of our community as we move forward, that we may indeed have Youth Group in person for the year of 2021-2022. I could not have asked for a better group of middle schoolers to take on virtual Youth Group! They rocked it! I cannot wait to see them in the Fall, if not this summer!"
Parent/Guardian Volunteer Opportunities:
We are always grateful for extra help either in the midst of Youth Group or behind the scenes. There are two basic qualifications: a volunteer needs to be age 21 or over and have completed the Archdiocesan Safe Environment Training.
We need volunteers to help with the following activities:
Youth Team (Assist with weekly gatherings 3:45-5:15pm.)
Shopper (Gather/ purchase needed items for events; food, crafts, etc.) -- During COVID-19 this does not apply
Retreat or Rally Team (Assist on an all-day or overnight event.) -- During COVID-19, this does not apply
Snack Coordinator (Serve snacks and clean up at Youth Event.) -- During COVID-19, this does not apply
Assist with Community Service Projects.
Driver (Assist with transportation to/ from event. Must have proof of insurance.) -- During COVID-19, this does not apply
Chaperone for special events (Retreat, Movie Night, Service Work, Field Trips, etc.) -- During COVID-19, this does not apply
Other (music, audio/video technicians, etc.)
Community Service Opportunities Jr. High: Students will be able to earn school credit for community service hours. Speak to Amanda for more details!
Make ornaments and Christmas cards for those in need. (December)
January community service opportunity (January)
Make valentines for those in need (February)
Stuff Easter Eggs (March)
May community service opportunity (May)
Confirmation
Starting in the Fall of 2021, the sacrament of Confirmation will be open to the 8th graders in our community. Email Amanda ASAP if your student is interested.
Confirmation is such a special sacrament in the Catholic faith. Why? This is when the teens in our community can make the decision to choose the faith to be theirs for the rest of their lives.
In order to enroll in the Confirmation program, the student needs to first have a minimum of one year in Faith Formation / Youth Group prior to the start of the Confirmation classes. In their second year of Faith Formation / Youth Group, you may inquire about the eligibility of your student for Confirmation. This is a separate meeting from Youth Group, and the expectation is that the student will be attending both meetings as they continue to grow their faith.
If your student is currently in their first year of Teen RCIA, and if they will be an 8th grader during their second year, they are able to opt into the Confirmation Prep class which will serve as their second year, and they will receive the sacraments they were preparing for, along with Confirmation. Please email Amanda if you have questions about this.
Click here for more information on our Confirmation program for teens.
Note: Confirmation is a separate two-year program where Youth Group is the prerequisite. Students hoping to enroll in the Confirmation classes need to be mindful of this commitment the year before they hope to enroll, as they need to have 80% attendance at Youth Group and that they should be actively participating.
If you are out of high school and you are interested in being confirmed as an adult, please review the pdf link above to find the next steps for you, or visit the Adult section under the Education tab at the top of your screen.
After reviewing the pdf with more information about Confirmation, if you have any questions or concerns, reach out to:
Amanda Woyak
Youthminister@holydisciples.org
253-875-6630
