STA Youth Ministry at Covecrest in 2025
This summer our youth ministry went on a life-changing trip to Camp Covecrest up in the Georgia mountains. They were able to encounter Christ and grow deeper in prayer through this six-day experience. Check out the video that Life Teen made of our week at camp in the link to see some of the amazing activities our high schoolers got to partake in!
Please continue to pray for our youth here at St. Thomas Aquinas as they continue to grow in faith this year.
“Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” -1 Timothy 4:12
Este verano, nuestro ministerio juvenil realizó un viaje transformador a Camp Covecrest, en las montañas de Georgia. Allí pudieron encontrarse con Cristo y profundizar en la oración a través de esta experiencia de seis días. Mira el video que Life Teen hizo de nuestra semana en el campamento en el enlace, para ver algunas de las actividades increíbles en las que participaron nuestros estudiantes de secundaria.
Por favor, continúen orando por nuestra juventud aquí en Santo Tomás de Aquino mientras siguen creciendo en la fe este año.
«Que nadie menosprecie tu juventud; al contrario, sé ejemplo para los creyentes en la palabra, en la conducta, en el amor, en la fe, en la pureza».
—1 Timoteo 4:12
ALL youth and volunteers must register through the Faith Formation office to be involved in Youth Ministry. ALL volunteers (including retreat team, chaperons and “one time” event helpers) must be registered at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, and background cleared by the Diocese of Orlando.
For more information contact Abby at afitzpatrick@stacatholic.org
What We Are All About
S.T.A.Y. Close to God
St. Thomas Aquinas Parish offers dynamic, faith filled, comprehensive Youth Ministry for young Catholics in middle and high school. The focus is holistic and focused on the Eucharist. We attempt to meet young people on their journey of faith as they travel through the challenges of life.
St. Thomas Aquinas Parish strives to enter into a relationship with our youth and families through prayer and worship, community and relationship building, service and religious education. Our goals are to (1) empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today; (2) draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission and work of the faith community; and (3) foster the personal and spiritual growth of each youth.
In addition to these regularly scheduled evenings, we will….
❖ Offer Retreats, prayer experiences, Mission Trips and Bible Study
❖ Connect with other Catholic Teens & Parishes at Diocesan and National Catholic Youth Events
❖ Invite Young people to full and active participation in the life of the parish, especially through liturgy.
❖ Build community through social events,
❖ Practice our faith through service experiences, Mission Trips, and fund-raisers at the parish and in the wider community.
S.T.A.Y.
Meets on Wednesdays, 6:30pm – 8pm in classroom H2
Youth Ministry exists to let Christ shine through us, so we may gather as a family in His name, seeking to guide all to become a light to the world!
What Teens Need from Youth Ministry
Changing the youth world happens one teen at a time. Teens do NOT connect to programs; they connect to people. The most effective way to influence teens is through a significant relationship with key people in their lives. Our goal is to develop leaders who will walk the journey to Christ with teens.
Teens need adults who will:
- Love God and live for Him
- Be interested in their lives
- Take the initiative to spend time with them
- Pray for them
- Be authentic (real)
- Say encouraging words
- Believe in them
- Laugh
- Go to “their world”
- Remember their names and care for them
- Share God’s love through personal experience
- Be consistent to the programs
- Be patient
- Enjoy life and live the seven essential values of Life Teen (Love, Evangelization, Joy, Vocation, Affirmation, Authenticity, Eucharistic Spirituality)