Our theme for the 2024-2025 year is SANCTUARY!

THE EXPERIENCE: Sanctuary embodies the refuge that teens find in Christ, transcending from the sacred altars of our Parishes into the secular aspects of their daily lives. It establishes peace amidst chaos, order amidst disorder, and love in the midst of fear.

WHAT IT CONVEYS: Sanctuary conveys Divine Shelter, offering teens as well as adults refuge in times of trial. It highlights the sanctity of our Inner Sanctuary, transforming the ordinary into Sacred Space.

And now, some words for the Parental Units:

EDGE  and Life Teen is a Catholic middle and  high school youth ministry program. It provides a safe fun place for youth to find solid Catholic community, to get answers to their questions about faith, and, most importantly, to experience Jesus in a profound and personal way. Life Teen resources speak to the physical, psychological, cognitive, relational, and spiritual maturation of high school youth. Life Teen resources make it easier for youth ministers to plan out their semesters of Life Night, retreats, and to train a team of adults, the Core Team, to assist them in the ministry. The resources present Catholic teaching in a way that young people can understand.

We all remember that middle school and even high school was awkward and difficult. That hasn’t changed. However, societal shifts have made these years more difficult than ever. Today,  youth are having experiences that were common only with high school students just 15 years ago. Threats of violence, availability of drugs and alcohol, and pervasiveness of sex and pornography are the new norm. Not only are they faced with these tough realities but they are also in the process of moving from being family-centered to friend-centered.

Peers gain greater influence and parental authority is called into question. As they shift socially they are also experiencing tremendous changes emotionally and intellectually. As they wade through all the difficulties of this time of life, they have real questions and need real answers. If parish leaders ignore the unique challenges of their high school youth, they risk losing them forever.

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For more info please contact youthminister@sjvchurch.net