St. Thomas the Apostle - Youth & Young Adult Ministry at 1449 Wilcox Park Drive, SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506 US - Learn more About Us
Learn more About Us
St. Thomas Parish Youth Ministry
Reach Out for Christ!
Our Parish Youth Ministry is offered for all youth of the parish, 6th – 12th grade,
Home-schooled, public-schooled, or parochial-schooled!
Our vision and mission
is to help Junior High and High School youth:
Develop a Growing and Active Relationship with Jesus Christ
Foster Positive Friendships
and
Serve the Needs of Others
Youth Ministry is...
Drawing youth into the adventure of discipleship
Goal 1: empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today. Helping youth to make the right connections Goal 2: draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic faith community. Growing young disciples Goal 3: foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person. Responding to the needs and including the gifts of youth Youth Ministry is the response of the Christian community to the needs of young people and the sharing of the unique gifts of youth with the larger community. Seeing youth as gifted and growing Youth Ministry is most importantly an affirmation of the faith, gifts, energy, and fresh ideas of young people. Seeing parents as partners The home is a primary context for sharing, celebrating, and living the Catholic faith, and we are partners with parents in developing the faith life of their adolescent children. Seeing our parish as ready and able to respond to youth …if parishes are to be worthy of the loyalty and active participation of youth, they will need to become “youth-friendly” communities in which youth have a conspicuous presence in parish life. Seeing the wider community as collaborators and resources Community collaboration means building partnerships among families, schools, churches, and organizations that mobilize the community in a common effort to build a healthier community life and to promote positive adolescent development. A relationship, not just a program The comprehensive approach is not a single program or recipe for ministry. Rather, it provides a way for integrating ministry with adolescents and their families into the total life and mission of the Church, recognizing that the whole community is responsible for this ministry. Investing in youth with our time, attention and resources Renewing the Vision is a blueprint for the continued development of effective ministry with young and older adolescents. Its expanded vision and strategy challenges leaders and their faith communities to address these challenges and to invest in young people today.Youth Ministry Seeks to Help Youth…
Develop a personal relationship with Jesus Participate in the Church Integrate Catholic values Apply Catholic faith to daily life Commit to the Catholic faith for life Live the moral and theological virtues Develop Biblical and doctrinal literacy Develop personal spirituality and prayer life Participate in the sacraments Work for justice and defend human dignity Serve those in need and foster social change Become healers, reconcilers and peacemakers Develop respect for differences Overcome prejudices Develop critical thinking skills Integrate Catholic sexual values Develop a positive self-image Grow in life skills Discern their vocation Share giftsR.O.C. Youth Ministry strives to accomplish this through…
Sunday night YOUTH ROC (6:30-8:30 pm, on the 1st & 3rd Sundays of the month) COLLEGE GOODY BOXES Collaboration with parish youth ministries in our East Deanery for events such as the JOY RALLY, JR. HIGH LOCK-INs, NET RETREATS, JR. HIGH SHINE RALLY, SPORTS & SPIRITUALITY EVENTS, and GET YOUR HEART IN THE GAME lunches.
LITURGY LEADERSHIP opportunities (Lector, Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, Music Ministry, Ushering, and Altar Serving) High School SHINE SUMMER YOUTH CONFERENCE HIGH ADVENTURE RETREAT DYMO CAMP STEUBENVILLE YOUTH CONFERENCE SOCIAL JUSTICE MISSION/SERVICE-LEARNING in town opportunities and out of town trips SR. HIGH BREAKAST CLUB DIRECT SERVICE opportunities all year around