Synopsis of the Youth Ministry Program Grades 7 - 10

Christian Formation is alive and serving over 740 students. The Youth Ministry program alone is privileged to have twenty nine catechists and nine Peer Facilitators. These nine wonderful seniors in High School help in the Confirmation Program. I will share more on the Confirmation Pro-gram at a later date.
Our classes are filled to the brim with students, but they are also full of lessons that will hopefully carry over in the lives of these young parish members. Our seventh graders are discussing how God is present in the best of times and the worst of times. Their text, ?Dealing with Tough Times,” helps the seventh graders experience and discuss a wide variety of life situations that they may encounter. The voices of their peers help them to know that everyone has both good and bad incidents in their lives, BUT GOD IS ALWAYS THERE to guide them.
The eighth graders are covering ?Being Catholic.” With the help of videos that cover why we do what we do as Catholics, and insights on how they experience their Catholicism, these youth should acquire a greater understanding of our rich heritage and their professed faith.
The ninth graders are covering ?How to Live a Moral Life. This grade level is covering the all too common ? "everyone does it” topics of cheating and not always telling the truth, or in other words how to be a just person in a world of injustice. The accompanying video of witness talks and sharing are great discussion starters for topics we all find hard to address. One of their classes is a Social Justice Experience at one of three sites to help us all experience how grateful we should be.
Tenth grade is required to enroll in the Confirmation Program. We have seven classes of twelve to fourteen students in each. During half of each class period, the students are privileged to hear a speaker con-cerning a justice issue. Last class, two women came from the Office of Missions to speak about Sweat Shops and Fair Trade. The second hour of class is covered in small groups that discuss how issues in our community affect Social Justice and what the Catholic Church states about the rights of ALL humans. These students also have an off campus class where they are involved in service to the less fortunate.
It is with the help of our catechists and the support of the parents of these many youth that Kathy Monacelli and I attempt to share the IMAGE of Jesus and assist families to ?Grow Their Faith.

Christian Formation - Youth Ministry

Our Youth Ministry Program at St. Alphonsus is comprised of studies and experiences that reinforce the four nonnegotiable essentials of the Catholic Spiritual Life.

… Opportunities for prayer through involvement in the Sunday Liturgy, variety of private prayer styles, community prayer in all classes, and reinforcement of learned memorized prayers.

… Program organized experiences at Hope House, Open Door Food Program at our Cathedral, Box-It for Hunger Task Force, and Bingo at Mt. Carmel, plus individual pet projects.

... The re-education on a yearly basis of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, discussions on local and national issues, and classes and presentations on “Safe Relationships” for 9th graders.

… The continuing practice of recognizing the presence of the Holy Spirit in daily lives through prayer and sharing in the classroom setting.
 

… “Dealing with Tough Times” Concepts that aid students to draw on their inner strength and God’s love and presence to deal with their everyday difficulties.

. . . "Being Catholic", Investigations into Rites and Rituals of Catholic Church and our becoming an involved member.

… “Living a Moral Life”, Covering the challenges to live as Christ did in all situation that confront a teenager.

… “ Confirmed Into A Faith Filled Community” investigation level.

… “ confirmed Into A Faith Filled Community” formation level. See Sacrament Link for INFORMATION ON SACRAMENT PREPARATION AND REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS.



Class schedules … All level classes are held on Sunday Evenings from 6:30-8:30PM in the (PMC) Parish Ministry Center. Classes run from Orientation in late September to the Easter Season. The program has two components, Small Group Gatherings and Large Group Presentations. Both aspects constitute required classes. Class involvement is required one year prior to SACRAMENT year preparation.

9/10th Grade Service Class - a required/assigned service experience at one of the following:  Mt. Carmel Nursing home, Hope House and or/Open Door Cafe at the Cathedral.  Transportation supplied by parents who are welcome to stay and help or observe at the sites.