What does St. Paul the Apostle Youth Ministry Program Offer?
F.O.L.L.O.W. = Friends Offering Love Leadership Opportunity and Worship

Tuesday FOLLOW Night
Meeting's consist of prayer, Scripture Analysis, Small Groups, Games, Church News, Teen Talk and Discussions. We meet every Tuesday evening in our convent rooms known as 'THE CAVERN'...Social hour is from 5:30 to 7:00pm (play cards, listen to music, play darts or hang out and chat) and the meeting follows from 7:00 to 9:00pm. Each Tuesday has a different theme, so make sure you come by and check it out. The core of our Youth Ministry stems around Tuesday Night FOLLOW Meetings.

Youth Mass
Teens are involved in all aspects of the Mass celebration by either participating as a Lector, Extraordinary Minister, Usher/Greeter, Cantor or help direct the Mass itself. Typically, our Masses are on the last Saturday of the month at 4:30pm, along with St. Paul's Contemporary Choir who preform every Saturday evening.

Youth Mass Prep
Before every Youth Mass we will come together at 3:30pm in 'THE CAVERN' to prepare our minds and hearts for the special and awesome gift of the Eucharist. A 15-20 minute meditation with prayer and songs to focus ourselves on the Liturgy itself and why we are doing what we are doing - and more importantly, who we are serving.

Rosary
Before every Youth Mass our teens will lead the Blessed Rosary in front of the Church congregation at 4:10pm. Not only is this a special devotion and prayer to our Blessed Mother, but something John Paul the Great was so passionate about. Let us follow the call of JP2 and continue praying this wonderful prayer. We also will pray the Rosary on the first Tuesday of the month at 6:15pm in the youth ministry room.

Praise and Worship
Spend a half hour once a month on the second Tuesday at 6:15pm in the youth ministry room for ‘Praise and Worship. Bring a CD or two to share with the group. What an awesome way to pray! God alone is worthy of our devotion, praise and worship. He is God, our Creator, and we are commanded to praise and worship Him.

Divine Mercy Chaplet
Join us for this monthly prayer devotional on the third Tuesday of the month at 6:15pm in the youth ministry room. Devotion to the Divine Mercy involves a total commitment to God as Mercy. It is a decision to trust completely in Him, to accept His mercy with thanksgiving, and to be merciful as He is merciful!

Eucharistic Adoration
Join us for this monthly prayer devotional on the fourth Tuesday of the month between 5:30-6:15pm in the Church. Come for 5 minutes or all 45...this is your time to spend with Jesus, listening to Him in your heart. Every 15 minutes, we will offer a prayer aloud and the peaceful music of Gregorian Chant will aide to your devotion throughout the time period.

FOLLOW Retreats
You don’t want to miss this AWESOME weekend of prayer, talks, games, food, fun and fellowship!! St. Paul’s welcomes all High School Students for an exciting, spiritual and powerful weekend that you won’t soon forget! The Retreat Team will contact you after you sign up with packing list and other info. There are 2 weekend FOLLOW Retreats per year, during the fall and spring months. Once you attend a FOLLOW Retreat, you then have the opportunity to become a Retreat Team Leader.

Summer Mission Trips
St. Paul the Apostle and St. Mary of Gostyn in Donwers Grove combine efforts for a week-long summer mission trip. The Mission trip is based on the Cornerstones of Service, Community, Simplicity, and Prayer. Our 2006 July mission trip consisted of assisting Hurricane Katrina victims in Waveland and Bay St. Louis, Mississippi...working indoors and outdoors with cleaning, drywalling, landscaping, debris cleanup, etc... This is an excellent opportunity for youth and adults to serve one another, just as Christ asks us. Remember, Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve!

Open Gym Basketball and Volleyball
Come and enjoy an evening of basketball and/or volleyball every 3rd Monday night of the month in the Activity Center from 7:00 to 9:00pm. More open gyms are added sporadically throughout the month if possible.

DAYBREAK-Shepherd's Table
Every other month we partake in preparing and serving lunch for those less fortunate in the Joliet Area. The second Saturday of that particular month we take control of the kitchen and make lunch for nearly 100 people at Joliet's DAYBREAK Shelter. Spending a few hours serving others is time well spent!

Bible Study
Learn and discuss more about this wonderful book we call the Bible. We meet once a month on the first or second Thursday of the month to study the 'Good Book' - whether it is in 'THE CAVERN', Church or sitting at home on your computer. That's right - ONLINE Bible Studies are a part of our program as well - what a great way to use the internet! Make sure you know the time and chatroom and be ready for a comprehensive and thorough study of the Bible, while relaxing in your own home.

Community Mass
Join us once a month for either the 9:00 or 10:30am Mass, where we will come together and attend Mass. Following the Liturgy we will walk over to the local restaurant and enjoy a nice breakfast together.

Stations of the Cross
Come out for this 20 minute beautiful event to walk through the struggles and journeys of our Lord Jesus! The Stations of the Cross are located right outside the convent in the church courtyard.

Focus on the Cross
This is another, more spiritual event. We do this during the Tuesday Meeting once each month. What happens is we shine a spotlight onto the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, and are guided through a meditation during the Last Supper and Good Friday. It is a very special, personal time where one can think about what is going on in their lives and try to find answers from God.

Community Night Out
Join us for a night of bowling, miniature golf, movies, fellowship or something else fun. Typically after our Youth Mass or another Friday of Saturday night.

Movie-Pizza Night
Join us for a night of pizza and a movie in 'THE CAVERN'. A great way to spend an evening - friends, food and fellowship.

Student Leadership- Click Here to View Our 2007-8 Peer Ministry Team
Student Leaders/Peer Ministers work hard to make our program strong with different aspects of ministry. Peer Ministers run and assist meetings, lead prayer during events, manage small group discussions and more! Monthly meetings are held the 1st Tuesday of the month at 5:00pm!

PLUS MUCH MORE
Annual Diocese of Joliet Youth Leadership Conference in July; National Catholic Youth Conference; Rome World Youth Trip 2000, Toronto World Youth Trip 2002, Germany World Youth Trip 2005 and Australia World Youth Day in 2008; Great America Trips; Lock-ins; Chicago Train Trips; Paintball and Lazertag trips; Basketball Tournaments; Christmas Caroling; Waterpark Trip; NET Retreat; Navy Pier Trip; Fundraising Carwashes and other events; Parent Nightsand much more - always something new coming!!!

 

Would You Like to be a Volunteer?
St. Paul’s Youth Ministry is Looking For YOU!


- Do you like working with teenagers?
- Do you have any free time to help volunteer or chaperone?
- Do you want to help kids grow in their faith and have fun to?

If you answered yes to any of those questions, then working with the Youth Ministry Program may be for you.
St. Paul’s Youth Ministry Program has many events that need your help…

Click here to fill out our volunteer sheet

 

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