MARY KLEMM, YOUTH MINISTER

mklemm@stacatholic.org

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.
SUNDAYS
Fun Days once a month
6 – 7 pm:    Mass- ALL YOUTH & their families
7:15 -8:30 pm:    - ALL YOUTH – Middle School (6-8th grade youth) &High School (9-12th grade youth) gather in the Social Hall 

WEDNESDAYS
6:30-8pm- Attend or help with Faith Formation Sessions.  Monthly Youth Session for Middle and High School students in Faith Formation.

THURSDAYS
6:30pm-8pm - S.T.A.Y weekly sessions for Middle School (6-8th grade) & High School (9-12 grade) youth.  Gather in the Youth House and then we split out into age appropriate break outs. 

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)

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 or to volunteer your time, please contact:  Mary Klemm at
407-932-8252 TEXT IS BEST or at mklemm@stacatholic.org