Winter Wonderland

This Sunday from 7:00 to 9:30 pm join the Youth Ministry in a Winter Wonderland Christmas Party. The evening is only a $3 admission plus the cost of food. There is a DJ and everything. Dress code is anything from prom dresses to pj's.

Special thanks goes out to the Teen Advisory for planning and implementing this fun evening. Chicago DJ Services and Chuck Vosberg for supplying the great music (not from my ipod). And Jim from Nancy's Pizza for the great deal on the evening's food.

Plan on stopping by and bring a friend with you.
Sarah j

A thought on the Readings...

JUST A THOUGHT: Well did you do it? Did you re-commit yourself to being the body of Christ in the world today? Yeah, I know it’s tough and you’ve got those people who think you are just “being good” because its two weeks before Christmas and Santa is watching. But you know. You know in the depth of your heat whether you are doing it because Santa might be watching or if you are doing it because you “want” to be Christ for the world. This is the perfect time, as John the Baptist reminds us, to lay all of our problems, troubles, and doubt at the Lords feet. Prepare your body and soul for the Lord to dwell within. Yes, that means take time to examine your motivations and reconcile those that miss the mark. Re-commit. It is time.

Bill Johnson Sunday Night

Bill Johnson is one of those amazing people that you just want to hear talk... talk about anything.... just keep talking. I have heard Deacon Bill talk on many occasions and I will frequently search him out at a conference just to absorb some of his energy to keep me going.

This Sunday after the 6 pm Teen-Sponsored Mass Deacon Bill Johnson will join us as our next guest speaker in our series. He will be here to help us through the stressful holiday season as we learn to cope with our families, the stress, and just maybe come out a stronger person for it.

Both parents and teens are invited to this event.
If you have any extra pop hanging around your house please feel free to donate it to the Youth Ministry that evening. Thanks.

See you on Sunday!
Sarah j

NCYC 2007 - WOW!!!

"Wow" I think is an understatement. I don't really think that there are words to describe the energy and electricity that flies around a sold out 20,000 seat arena. Okay, so maybe you have been at a sold out arena but have you ever attended a Liturgy in a 20,000 seat arena, 90% high school teens and 10% their crazy chaperones? Definitely a surreal experience. Hopefully you will join me in Kansas City in 2009 for the next NCYC and experience it yourself.

Check out our pictures on snapfish. You'll get some sence of the size and scope of this extreme Catholic experience. Maybe Vicki, Carolyn, Maggie, or Elliot can explain it better. If you guys are reading this please post a comment. Alright? Ok?

http://stmarymokena.snapfish.org/comcast

I think that is the correct link. If it asks for a password it is my favorite movie food.

Thank God for Movies!!!

Yes, this is truly a prayer of thanksgiving in my household. Why? Well you will just have to come to the the Large Group gathering on November 4th to find out. That night we will hear guest speaker Paul Jarzembowski, Director for Young Adult Ministry for those in their 20's and 30's for the Diocese of Joliet. He is the author of the Spiritual Popcorn Blog and has been heard on the Busted Halo podcast and Sirius Satellite Radio. Paul is also the acting Executive Director of the National Catholic Young Adult Ministry Association.

Even though Paul does a lot with Young Adults he began his ministry career in Youth Ministry. Paul and I have taken teens to mission trips and World Youth Day Pilgrimages together.

I look forward to sharing my husbands knowledge of finding Jesus in movies with you. I really do Thank God for Movies because it reminds me that God is still speaking to me today in pop culture, the media, and movies.

Sunday, Novebmer 4th after the Teen Sponsored 6:00 pm Mass.
See you there!

Trick or Treat Service Project

Last night at our Large Group gathering we broke out into Small Groups to plan four service projects to be planned and implimented throughout this year. There were many great ideas that you will soon be seeing on the calendar including a dance/party for senior citizens, helping give women an alternative to the options given to them at planned parenthood, and a Halloween Candy/Costume drive as well as many others.

So, at next weeks Large Group Gathering (with guest speaker Fr. Burke Masters) we will be collecting Halloween Candy and costumes. The costumes will go to those who might not be able to afford a costume this year including those at the Daybreak Shelter. Some of the Halloween candy will go to Daybreak as well as to our local firefighters and law enforcement officers as a thank you for their service.

Sunday night bring along some candy to be donated and any slightly used (no holes or tears) Halloween Costumes.

I am so thrilled to be part of a ministry with such service oriented teens. You continue to warm my heart and give me hope for the future.

You are in my prayers.

Sarah j.

Riddle me this...

Maybe you can help me out on this one....

Last night I (along with Kristen P. and Rob K.) had the opportunity to join all other leaders in the parish to learn kinda what each other does. That way we are all not doing the same thing and maybe we could help each other out. One of the questions we were asked at the end of the night was...

Why does Youth Ministry even exist? (There are many text book answers to this question but what really is at the meat of this question?)

But in all honesty that wasn't the hard one for me, so here it goes....

How does Youth Ministry serve the parish as a whole?

Hmmmmmmmm....hmmmmmmmm........WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN??? Hmmmmmmmm........hmmmmmmmmm.......hmmmmmmmmmmm

So, before I actually answer these questions I would like to phone-a-friend (i.e. YOU) and ask you to please comment on these questions and help me answer them.

I look forward to getting a little help from

My IPOD

Okay, so I really did think that I was kinda cool until a game of musical chairs collided with my IOPD. Then I realized that I haven't downloaded any songs of youthful relevance.

So, here's your opportunity to put together a mix that will be used at the next Large Group gathering. What songs should no IPOD be without?

I look forward to your comments...

I had so much fun at the Kick-Off and I hope you did too. I am really looking forward to the next one on September 30th. Hope you will be there and bring a friend!

I'll try to get some of the pictures up onto snapfish this week. If you took pictures feel free to add them. I will also try to link the page to here when I get it updated.

Have an amazing week and enjoy your first Small Group Meeting this coming Sunday, September 9th after the 6 pm Mass. I'll be praying for you!

See you there.
Sarah j

Kick-off

September 2nd marks the Youth Ministry annual Kick-off.

This evening begins with our Parishes Teen Sponsored Mass and followed by food, fun and frivolity. Definitely a goofy night not to be missed!

Haven't registered yet? No worries. There will be registration/medical release forms for parents to complete. Signing up for a small group is not required to attend our Large Group gatherings, just a medical release form. This year our Large Group gatherings will include guest speakers, witness talks, music, prayer experiences (not your ordinary average prayer), and fun time to meet and get to know your peers.

By attending our Teen Advisory Meetings on the third Sunday you will get the opportunity to plan and lead (if you want to) Large Group gatherings. This puts the funness and relevance factor in your court. So, if you don't like what you see, come and be part of the solution!

See you at the Kick-off!
Sarahj

Teen Advisory

You had something to say and boy did you say it!

Last night was our first of many Teen Advisory Meetings. This was a great opportunity for me to learn a little more about the teen culture in the Mokena/Frankfort/New Lenox areas. It brings me comfort to know that there have been so many wonderful and profound experiences in your lives that have brought you a stronger faith.

We took some time to brainstorm on Service Projects, Social Events, Prayer Experiences, Guest Speakers and Hot Topics, Social Justice issues, and why people come to Youth Ministry events. It is now time to research these ideas, what each entails, and start putting together a plan to make some of these ideas a reality.

If you have any ideas or thoughts about the direction this years ministry is heading please plan to attend our next Teen Advisory meeting on Sunday, September 16th after the 6pm Mass in the Franciscan room.

...and that's the update!
Sarahj

Registration Packets

Youth Ministry Registration packets should have been in the mail today.

Should, is the opperative word here. Unfortunately, their was a miscommunication with the printer. So, I should have the correct fomat this afternoon and they should be in the mail no later than Wednesday.

This means that there will be a rather quick turn around with returning Youth Ministry registration and permission forms. They will still be due to the Youth Ministry Office no later than August 27th. This will still give me some time to work out small group information and have it ready for our first Large Group gathering on September 2nd.

Thanks for your understanding and patience.
Sarahj

NCYC 2007

National Catholic Youth Conference 2007
November 8-11, 2007Columbus, Ohio.

This is your opportunity to join thousands of other Catholic teens in learning more about their faith and how to act upon it. When I say thousands of teens, I mean last NCYC there were 25,000 teens in one space. It was incredible!

So, we are going to join other parishes around the Diocese of Joliet on this inspiring trip.

Registration is due to the office no later than August 24th. The cost is $400. Sorry, we will not be fundraising for this trip. This was not a trip that was planned for in last years budget but it is well worth the cost.

All participants are requested to also register for the 2007-2008 Youth Ministry. Registration packets will be in the mail the week of August 6th. There is not really any time for an informational meeting before the deadline so please post your questions and I'll try to keep you all informed in a timely fashion. There is also information on the diocesan website under youth ministry at www.dioceseofjoliet.org.

There is a promotional video on YouTube. Search NCYC and you should find it no problem.

I'm tellin you this is a great opportunity. One that inspired me when I was in High School. The feeling in that space with thousands of screaming teens is what makes me a Youth Minister today. Check it out!

So, that's what I think.... How about you?
Sarahj

What do you think?

I'm gathering any St. Mary teen with an opinion and an interest in making things happen in our youth ministry on Monday, August 13th at 7:00 p.m. in the Franciscan room.

This is your opportunity to help shape this years youth ministry programs and events.We will be having a monthly guest speaker; what do you want to hear about? Who do you want to talk? What are you and your friends talking about?During this meeting we will begin to dig deeper into youth ministry and the spirituality behind popculture.

It is my hope that this type of meeting will take place on a monthly basis and grow into a leadership team.

Hope you can join me.
Sarahj

YLC 2007

I have the "I like bananas (bananas!) but papayas are sweet" song stuck in my head. I guess if that's the worst of it then things are pretty good. Yeah, things are pretty good!

It is always in invigorating experience being in a space with over 650 teens hopping, dancing, and singing. The Holy Spirit is soooo energizing! You could feel the difference in the space.

How awesome was it that we got a group picture with are very own Bishop Sartin? I don't think that I have ever seen him without a smile on his face. And to think even he gets nervous sometimes when he invites friends over. I'm glad that he reminded us in his homily that there is a place and a job for each of us in every event. Sometimes it is to be the participant, others it is to prepair, and still others it is to serve. I hope that we can all look at this year and find times to do each. So that we are not always a Mary or a Martha but find our selves as both.

Hopefully we will have pictures posted soon. I am still figuring out the in and outs of this whole blog thing.

What was your favorite part of YLC 2007?
Why should others join next year?
Is this a Leadership Conference or a Youth Rally?
What's the difference?

I'd love to hear your thoughts and comments.

Let's continue to keep eachother, St. Mary Church, and Youth Ministry in our prayers.
Sarahj

Week 2

Teehee! :)

Week number two and we are off and running!

It was great to meet some of you this weekend after Mass. I had so much fun just hanging out and hearing some of your great experiences and some of your, um ... "learning" experiences?

Tonight I have the opportunity to meet with some of the Adult Volunteers. I am really looking forward to seeing the St. Mary Youth Ministry picture through the eyes of the adults who are involved.

Don't fret, there will be a gathering of all H.S. students soon as well. I would like to hear more about your experiences and dreams for Youth Ministry.

I am hoping to keep this up to date on a weekly basis if not more. We'll see where this leads us. The possibilities are endless. :)

Your Sister in Christ,
Sarahj

Excitment!

Excitement!
That is the word to describe St. Mary Church. Whenever I ask someone about St. Mary Church, eyes light up, a smile creeps across their face, then they bubble with excitement about; how big the church is getting, the building, the Koup Center, the new state of the art computers in the Computer Lab; the Mission Trip, Notre Dame Retreat, or YLC 2007. I can't help but smile and laugh. How lucky am I to have been invited to join the staff of such a multi-dimensional and spirited parish.I am most definitely Excited to be here.

Thank you for having me.
Sarahj