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Upcoming Events

6th-8th grade

6th-8th grade Mini Mission

For more information and to register visit the Faith Sharing tab HERE  

9th-12th grade

Retreat
Guy's Day Out / Girl's Day Out

To Register for the Guy/Girl retreat Feb 19th  click the pictures below to register. make sure to click the right picture!!!!

Youth Ministry.....What's this all about? A letter to parents of teens.

Because many of us grew up in a time where Catholic Youth Ministry was either nonexistent or, at its best, was a parent run “youth club” that was many times more fun than catechesis and in some cases was mainly for teens attending non Catholic schools.  This is not the case anymore; however, I am aware of some uncertainty with parents who ask, “What is youth ministry all about?” since it is not something that existed for most of us as teens.

I was asked by our priest to put together a chart that shows some of the differences between Confirmation preparation and Catholic Youth Ministry.  While it is a general look at the two programs, I want to add a personal note on why youth ministry is so important and what it should look like to meet the goal of empowering our teens in their Catholic identity. It would be a complete injustice to our teens to segregate them by what school they attend or what groups they belong to. The purpose is  youth ministry is not to measure knowledge of Catholicism, or to catch anyone up who hasn't had enough religious education.
Comprehensive Youth Ministry must meet the call that goes to each of us to have continued lifelong catechesis, as well as fueling the sense of parish as our community and empowering our teens with ownership within the parish.  The Catholic parish, which was once the non-negotiable center of Catholic life, where we went for entertainment, community, prayer, athletics, support, worship, wisdom and guidance for life, is now just one option among many. Our teens are busy with many options on how to spend their time. If being involved in a parish becomes “just another option” will our youth develop a feeling of having a place or feel like it is their HOME? I can only base my answer to this on my experience here and what I have seen as I have made changes to strengthen Youth Ministry at St. James. I have seen our teens come to realize that this IS their community, not just a church they attend for an hour on Sunday.  When they see they have a say and a place here at St. James that is valued, the beauty in their confidence knowing their strength within, as the young church of today, (not the church of tomorrow) is something I stand in awe of. 

 

Enrollment for 6th-8th grade Youth Group 9th grade Pre-Confirmation and 2nd year Confirmation groups below

For enrollment forms for
6th-8th grade Faith Sharing click here
9th grade Pre-Confirmation click here
2nd year Confirmation click here

 

Youth Praise Band

Do you sing or play an instrument or maybe just want to be a part of music ministry? How about joining the St. James Youth band? We are always looking for new members. The youth praise band serves the 2^nd and the 4^th Sunday 6PM Masses each month, singing and playing contemporary Christian music. We begin with 20 minutes of pre Mass worship at 5:40.  The ONLY requirements are that you are at least in 6^th grade, you love music and you have a desire to participate. From entry level to seasoned musician, even if you would just like to shake the tambourine you can come join along.  Practice is at 4:00 PM on the days the youth band plays. Please contact Bobbi if you have any questions!!!!! bobbi@stjames-liberty.org

Precious Blood

St James parish served by priests belonging to the Missionaries of the Precious Blood.
Christ's shedding his Blood is the sign of God's great love for all men and women. This spirituality of the Blood impels the C.PP.S. today to build community, to walk in solidarity with those ho suffer and to seek reconciliation in a divided world.

A Prayer for My Enemies

Lord Jesus, you once asked us to love our enemies
and to pray for those who hurt us.

Hear my prayer today, for my love is not perfect
and my prayer is never complete.

There are some people I just do not know how to pray for;
I do not know how to be reconciled with them,
but you are the source of all reconciliation, and through your blood,
you offered loving forgiveness to every sinner.

Bless me and my enemy, as you would see fit,
and lead us one day to that perfect reconciliation
that comes from you alone. Amen.