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Youth Ministry at St. Bernard
This is what is needed: a Church for young people, which will know how to speak to their heart and enkindle, comfort, and inspire enthusiasm in it with the joy of the Gospel and the strength of the Eucharist; a Church which will know how to invite and to welcome the person who seeks a purpose for which to commit his whole existence; a Church which is not afraid to require much, after having given much; which does not fear asking from young people the effort of a noble and authentic adventure, such as that of the following of the Gospel (John Paul II, 1995 World Day of Prayer for Vocations).
Youth Ministry at St. Bernard encompasses our Middle School and High School Youth. While primarily focused on the times during Sunday Morning Religious Education, there are also a variety of opportunities offered for fellowship, service, prayer, and retreat experiences.
Our Middle School program utilizes Lifeteen's "Edge" curriculum for Religious Education. During the 75 minutes, each gathering is focused on an aspect of the faith for the semester (each semester in 6-8th grade is a different topic) that Gathers, Proclaims, Breaks, and Sends. This allows for our Middle School students to build community, hear the teachings of the Church, share together in small group, and provides ways for them to take the teachings back into the community.
Our High School program is similar in many ways to the Middle School program, however offers many variances. We gather together for breakfast after the 9:30am Mass and by 11am, begin with an ice breaker and teaching for the day. Time for sharing is allowed along with an opportunity to pray together. For the 2017-2018 school year, we spent each Sunday learning about the lives of the Saints-- with a new Saint featured each week. The 2018-2019 school year will be focused more on prayer, relationships, intentionality, and evangelization. -
Current Youth Ministry Opportunities
EDGE and HS Youth Group Sundays, 10:45am-12pm
Join us on Sundays after the 9:30am Mass for fellowship, teaching, and prayer. Sessions begin the Sunday after Labor Day and follow the Religious Ed calendar. Registration to attend is required.
Summer Mission Trip July 21-27, Lincoln County, West Viriginia
HS youth and older are invited to participate in a week long service mission trip to one of the poorest communities in the United States. Fr. Shocklee will be leading this trip as we head out on Sunday, July 21 and serve with Youthworks through Friday. The end of our trip will be capped off with a special group activity! Registration is limited and is on a "first come, first serve" basis. Cost to attend is $500.
National Catholic Youth Conference November 21-24, 2019
This biennial conference held in Indianapolis gathers approximately 20,000 teens and chaperones to worship, pray, reflect, and grow in their faith. Held at Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indianapolis Convention Center, participants stay in a downtown hotel for the duration of the event. Activities do run from Thursday through Sunday morning-- students will miss 2 days of school. Registration (click for link) is now available and cost to attend is $500 with a $100 deposit due with Registration by May 29. Fundraising will be done to assist families in offsetting the fees. More information on NCYC can be found at www.ncyc.info.