Since 1997, youth ministry has been a high priority.  It is our belief that the youth of today are not only going to be leaders tomorrow but are an essential component of the church of today and called to minister to their peers and to the entire community.

Frank Cleary, our first salaried Youth Coordinator, worked closely with Father Jim to launch a vital youth ministry for high school students.  With the assistance of several committed adults, the parish experienced a dynamic youth program.

With Frank's marriage and move to St. Louis, the parish conducted a search for a new coordinator.  Joseph Welch joined us as our second full-time Youth Coordinator in the summer of 2001.  The youth group has experienced a bit of a new direction.  Anyone involved in youth work understands young people and their needs.  The Youth Coordinator must be flexible and go with the flow.

High School Youth Ministry is directed toward the formation of youth in the Catholic Faith, bonding together as a community of faith, reaching out to others in service, growing spiritually through prayer and retreat experiences, and engaging in delightful, fun experiences.

The Student Advisory Leadership Team (S.A.L.T.), youth representatives from each class who assist the coordinator in planning and carrying out the youth program, is just now taking hold.  Of special assistance to the youth and the coordinator is the Life Support Team (LST)  which is headed by a volunteer parishioner.  The LST has a food service component, a transportation component, and a chaperone component.

The Youth Coordinator is charged with total youth ministry for the whole parish.  Therefore, the next step will be to develop youth ministry for the following groups in this order:

• Junior High
• Grade School
• Birth to Grade School.

At present, a very real need in the High School Program is a sufficient number of dedicated catechists who see teaching high school as a vocation from God.  If you feel called to become a "youth minister" (one who works with youth in whatever capacity is a youth minister), contact the Youth Coordinator (called "Coordinator" since it is the Coordinator's  job to facilitate the work of all the "youth ministers"; i.e., those who work with youth.

There is much more to be done.  Maybe you have a vocation in youth ministry!