High School
Life Nights
Mondays
7:00-8:30 PM
All High School youth are invited to join us every Monday night (Except for Holidays*).
Our hope is that every Life Night is not just fun, but also challenges you to go deeper in your relationship with God and to know more about your Catholic faith.
(*We will NOT have Life Nights on: May 27th-Memorial Day)
“DELIVER US FROM EVIL”
A Three Night Series on Temptation
Week 1
Monday, June 10th
DRUGS
Tonight we will be diving into the temptation to escape our surroundings with drugs. Core Team member and a retired cop, Jim Jenkner, has special insight and will share some wisdom.
Week 2
Monday, June 17th
PORNOGRAPHY AND MODESTY
The plague of pornography is large, but God provides us the grace to overcome. Join us tonight as we discuss the effects of pornography and how to receive the grace to stay far from it.
Week 3
Monday, June 24th
SELF-WORTH
The topic of tonight is the temptation to not see yourself as God sees you. This is what compels many teens to have issues with cutting, eating disorders and self mutilation. Come tonight as we shed light from God’s perspective on these issues
Sunday Night Recess
Sunday, June 23, 30
(Not meeting on Father’s Day)
6:30-8:00 PM
High School Youth: Come and have a little fun after the 5:30pm Mass. We will play frisbee, eat hot dogs, and enjoy the good weather.
What is Kyrios?
KYRIOS is the Greek word for LORD. If you have found church to be boring and wonder what being
Catholic and Christian is all about, then the Kyrios retreat is for you. This weekend-long retreat is the
perfect way to grow closer to our Lord, and to become part of an awesome faith community of other
peers your age!
How do I pronounce it?
It's kind of like Cheerios, but with a "K." Please note, we can't guarantee any Cheerios on the retreat…
When is it?
Kyrios is July 26-28, 2013. It begins on Friday afternoon and ends on Sunday evening. We ask that retreatants attend the entire retreat.
Who can come?
All 10th-12th graders. Please note that all youth who are members of St. Mary Parish will receive priority over youth who are not members of the parish. This means that teens who are not members of St. Mary Parish are only tentatively registered until Monday, July 22nd. After that date, their registration is confirmed.
Where is it going to be?
At the Bishop Lane Retreat Center (7708 E. McGregor Rd., Rockford, IL 61102).
How much does it cost?
It costs $110 for youth who are officially members of St. Mary Church, and it costs $140 for all those who are not
members of St. Mary. The fee covers transportation to and from Bishop Lane, all meals, housing, and supplies. Please
make checks out to "St. Mary Church." Some financial assistance may be available, so please do not hesitate to contact the Youth Ministry Office to inquire further. (However, please note that we cannot provide financial assistance to youth who are not members of St. Mary Parish.)
Register by Monday, July 22nd!
Fill out the attached permission form, and return it to the Youth Ministry Office (see address and contact information below). If you have any questions please contact Paul Vogrinc, Director of Youth Ministry
Registration deadline is Monday, July 22nd!
What should I bring?
Casual clothes, toiletries (toothpaste, soap, etc.), towels, sleeping bag or bedding, and a pillow. Also, please bring a 2-liter beverage, and guys should bring one salty chip-like snack, and girls should bring 2-dozen sweet-tooth snacks. Please do NOT bring immodest clothing, alcohol, or illegal drugs or substances.
Transportation
ARRIVAL: Parents, please arrange for your teen(s) to arrive at the St. Mary Church by 2:45 PM on Friday, July
26th. We will provide group transportation by chartered bus from the St. Mary Church to the Bishop Lane Retreat Center.
RETURN: We will also provide group transportation by chartered bus from the Bishop Lane Retreat Center to the St. Thomas Oak Street Church. Individual pick-up is at 6:30 PM on Sunday, July 28th at the St. Thomas Oak Street Church.
Detailed Parent instructions
Parents, please arrange for your teen(s) to arrive at the St. Mary church by 2:45 PM on Friday, July 26th, where
they will be taken by bus to the Bishop Lane Retreat Center. We have chartered a bus to pick us up at the Bishop Lane Retreat Center, and take us to St. Thomas Church on Sunday afternoon for the remainder of the retreat. The retreat concludes on Sunday evening with a closing Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle, on Oak Street, in Crystal Lake at 5:30 PM, to which all families are invited. Teens should be picked up at 6:30 PM after our closing Mass.
Kyrios Permission Slip
The St. Timothy Youth Award
The St. Timothy Youth Award is a national recognition award given to youth by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry in collaboration with the Diocese of Rockford Catholic Education Office.
It is the highest recognition from the NFCYM (www.nfcym.org ) for a diocese to confer to a senior high school youth who:
• Lives as a disciple of Christ, setting a positive example for other youth
• Witnesses to their faith by exhibiting Catholic morals and integrity
• Demonstrates Gospel values through service to others
• Exhibits Christian leadership in parish, school, and/or community settings
The 3 Seniors I have selected are: Miles Monaco, Molly Heine, and Isabella Green and will be awarded on June 9th.
Miles Monaco
Miles is passionately Catholic and a primary leader in our youth ministry at St. Mary Catholic Church in Huntley, Illinois. Rarely have I come across students with such a large knowledge base of religious freedom and the pursuit of truth.
He has stepped up at our parish and helped St. Mary Parish arrange the March for Life. When he was a sophomore he encouraged the youth ministry to attend. That year, Miles and a small number of students went and came back and shared their experience to more people from the parish. The following year around 20 students went due to his outgoing personality and ability to relay the basics of the faith. This year, he has been responsible for about 40 people going on the March for Life. I attribute this to not only Mile’s effectiveness as a leader, but also as a person who follows through with ideas, commitment and his love for Christ.
Molly Heine
Molly has been a member of the youth ministry for 7 years. There was an evening where several of the students were talking about what has kept them involved in the Church, and so many students mentioned Molly as being someone who has encouraged them in their faith, challenged them when they needed to be challenged, and made them feel welcome inside the Church. What can anyone else ask for? I am also impressed with her love for Christ, specifically in the fact that she is discerning entering into religious life. What an incredible witness it is to have a young person so in love with Christ and His Church that they are willing to discern giving their entire lives over to serve Him through the Religious Life.
Isabella Green
Isabella is possibly the most reliable person in the youth ministry. If there is something that needs to be done, I can count on Isabella. If I see someone walk in to the youth room for the first time and not know someone, I will send Isabella over to talk with them. If I need the trash to be taken out, I know it will get done if I ask Isabella to help out. Someone once told me that you can judge someone’s character by their willingness to not only do the big things, but the little things well. A lot of people want to be upfront and give talks and tell funny stories. But it takes a little more effort and sacrifice to do the little things well. Isabella, does both the big and little things well and I know she will continue to serve God in this way as well.
Sign up for Totus Tuus! Mark your Calendars!
Weekend of July 26-28th: Kyrios Retreat at Bishop Lane Retreat Center with St. Thomas Parish
Click here for Life Teen June Newsletter
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Life Teen Service Project
Crystal Pines Nursing Home
1st Wednesday of the Month
7:00-9:00 PM
All High School Youth are invited to join us as we visit the residents and play cards. We meet at St. Mary Church at 6:45 pm and return at 9:00 pm. Parent drivers are always welcome. To attend, please call the Youth Ministry Office. Permission Slip can be found in the General Forms tab.
Dates- July & August off for the Summer- See you in September!
