“Let no one look down on you because of your youth,

but set an example for those who believe, in speech conduct, love, faith and purity!”

2 Timothy 4:12

What does St. Mary’s High School Youth Ministry Offer?

St. Mary’s Youth Ministry and its programs are open to all high school age youth.  There is no need to sign up or register in advance for our weekly meetings or Youth & Family Masses.  Please check the website and weekly bulletin for updates and changes in the calendar. We model our ministry after the Life Teen program – see www.lifeteen.com for more information.  ALL faiths and friends are always welcome!

Weekly Events

Youth & Family Mass – Takes place at 5:30 p.m. on the 1^st & 3^rd Sundays of every month during the school year (September through May only). The music is vibrant with youth participation at all levels.  Youth are invited to be trained to serve as: Ushers, Lectors and Altar Servers.

Praise & Worship Team / Youth Choir – A group of high school youth who bring their talents in voice and instrument together to give praise and worship to God at the 5:30pm Liturgy and other special events.  Practice is on Youth Liturgy Sundays 3:00pm – 5:30pm and includes dinner.

Dinner Nights – On those Sunday nights we do not celebrate 5:30pm liturgy we offer a social dinner for the youth from 5:45pm – 6:30pm.  Following dinner we begin our LifeNight!

LifeTeen LifeNight – This is a dynamic Sunday Night program for high school teens which follows the 5:30pm Liturgy or 5:45pm Dinner.  These begin at 6:30pm and end at 8:15pm.  We build community, pray together, learn about our faith, go on outings & trips, support one another in our faith (both here, at home and in our schools), serve together, go on retreats, have concerts and of course we always include food!

Catholic Life Communities – Catholic Life Communities (CLC) simply put, are about going deeper in your faith and your journey with God.  Through these gender specific faith communities you will focus on living the truth in freedom, being challenged to grow while developing deep friendships and relationships. CLC’s weekly meetings foster new friendships, faith sharing and mutual accountability.  There are trips, an annual retreat and more that happen in CLC’s. 

Girls CLC: The young women meet on Sunday nights from 4:30pm – 6:00pm in the Apartment. Contact Terry Angelotti for the young women’s CLC at 703-266-3684

Boys CLC: The young men meet on Wednesday nights from 7:30pm – 9:00pm in Old St Mary’s Hall.  Contacts Tom Yehl for the young men’s CLC at  703-556-0914

Youth Bible Study – High school youth meet most Sunday’s during the school year from 2:00pm – 3:00pm in Room 7L.  This bible study is run by seminarians from Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary. Come and learn more about the Basic Instruction’s Before Leaving Earth (B.I.B.L.E.).

Young Servants of the King Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group (YSOK): - This is a group of youth who come together to praise God with songs, and prayer, and receive teaching and exhortation.  They meet every Thursday from 7:00pm – 9:00pm.  Contact the Youth Minister for more details.

Annual Events

“EXaLT for LIFE” – Always the Sunday before the March for Life in January - - the youth ministry hosts youth from other states including PA, OH and more for a dinner and XLT for Life!  Includes rocking praise and worship, adoration and benediction!  You do not want to miss this event!

Fall Retreat: Retreat Weekend off-site or Lock-In or Social Justice Service Weekend during October or November

Living Stations of the Cross: The High school age youth host the stations on Good Friday; each year actors, narrators, costume and make-up, musicians, and support youth are needed.  Ask the Youth Minister about how to get involved in this special presentation.

Spring Retreat: Winter Weekend Getaway during February or March.  This weekend will be heavily focused on having lots of fun while really letting go and letting God!

Spring Confirmation Retreat: Help serve as Peer Support on the Confirmation retreat team. Talk to the Youth Minister about what our needs are for the year.

Annual Summer Events

2006 Work Camps – Each summer over 60 teens and adults have the best week of their summer serving the needy in different places all over the country.   I know it is hard to imagine this being “fun”, but there is a reason we “sell out” this program every year.  We guarantee it will be a memorable experience!  Just don’t wait too long to sign up, since spots fill very quickly for these Work Camps (usually by late fall/ early winter).

Diocesan Work Camp – This year will be June 24-30 in Orange, VA.  Check the web page and bulletin for more information and updates.

Group Work Camp – This year will be July 9 – 15 in Rochester, NY. Check the web page and bulletin for more information and updates.

Steubenville Youth Conference: NEW – Caution: Life altering experience! Come on an incredible weekend with 2700 other Catholic Youth from all over the country.  Takes place in either Attleboro, MA or Steubenville, OH. (2006 will be July 21 – 23, 2006 in Attleboro, MA)  This is the first main event opened to the newly confirmed 8^th graders!

Plus . . .

Social Justice: Annual participation to serve the less fortunate and bring the Gospel and the good$ to those in need.

Plus, outings, field trips, inter parish events, amusement parks, in house concerts and more . . .

GRAB A FRIEND AND COME VISIT WITH US TODAY!