Youth Ministry Programs

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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.

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Youth Ministry Schedule*

Fall 2015 - Summer 2016

Date

Time

Location

Activity

Sun., 9/13

9:30 a.m.

St. Casimir

Jump4Jesus

Sun., 9/20

2 p.m.

5 p.m.

Terryville Fairgrounds

Greg Wasinski - Speaker

Rocket Launch

Sat., 10/3

9 a.m.

St. Casimir

Adoration Education

Sun., 10/4

9:30 a.m.

St. Casimir

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.

St. Casimir

The Lyceum Event Center

Family Mass – 10

th

_Gr.

Confirmation Program

Sun., 11/8

9:30 a.m.

St. Casimir

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.

St. Casimir

Jump4Jesus

Sun., 12/20

9:30 a.m.

4-6 p.m.

St. Casimir

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.

St. Casimir Meeting Room Auction Planning

Sun., 1/24

9:30 a.m.

St. Casimir

Jump4Jesus

Thurs., 2/4

5:00 p.m.

The Lyceum Event Center

Auction Set-up

Fri., 2/5

5:30 p.m. - Preview

6:30 p.m. - Start

The Lyceum Event Center

YM Fundraising Auction

Sun., 2/21

9:30 a.m.

St. Casimir

Jump4Jesus

Sun., 2/28

9:30 a.m

St. Casimir

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.

St. Casimir

Jump4Jesus

Sun., 4/10

9:30 a.m.

St. Casimir

Jump4Jesus

Sun., 4/17

9:30 a.m.

St. Casimir

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.

St. Casimir

Immaculate

Jump4Jesus

Family Mass – 5

th

_{& 9}

th

_Gr.

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Please return to The Lyceum during classes or to the Parish Center, 19 Allen St., Terryville.

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.

☐_{Family Mass} ☐_Jump4Jesus ☐_{Vacation Bible School} ☐_{Fundraising Auction}

☐_{Stations in Silhouette} ☐_{Columbian Squires} ☐_{Blessing of Animals} ☐_{Confirmation Program} ☐_{Babysitting-Movie Night} ☐_{Teen Christmas Party} ☐_{Snow Ball Dance} ☐_{Rocket Launch}

☐_{Archery Day} ☐_{Other ______________}

2. What programs would you or your student(s) be interested in? Please mark all that apply.

☐ Family Mass ☐ Jump4Jesus ☐ Vacation Bible School ☐ Fundraising Auction

☐ Stations in Silhouette ☐ Columbian Squires ☐ Blessing of Animals ☐ Confirmation Program ☐_{Babysitting-Movie Night} ☐_{Teen Christmas Party} ☐_{Snow Ball Dance} ☐_{Rocket Launch}

☐_{Archery Day} ☐_{Squire Roses} ☐_{Youth Choir} ☐_{Coffee Ands}

☐_{Other ______________}

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)_________

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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} ☐_{Babysitting-Movie Night} ☐_{Teen Christmas Party} ☐_{Snow Ball Dance} ☐_{Rocket Launch}

☐_{Coffee Ands} ☐_{Other ______________}

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} ☐_{Babysitting-Movie Night} ☐_{Teen Christmas Party} ☐_{Snow Ball Dance} ☐_{Rocket Launch} ☐_{Coffee Ands} ☐_{Columbian Squires} ☐ _{Squire Roses} ☐_{Youth Choir}

☐_{Other ______________}

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)

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Please return to The Lyceum during classes or to the Parish Center, 19 Allen St., Terryville.

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: ________________