YOUTH MINISTRY MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Youth Ministry Program at St. Thomas More Parish is to create an environment for youth to develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, to practice an active Christian faith life, and to nurture friendships with faith-filled youth from St. Thomas More Parish and the community.

Youth Ministry provides activities for youth in grades 7 to 12. These activities include service projects, spiritual programs, and social events. Youth Ministry is lead by a Peer Ministry Team comprised of high school students, who work closely with the Director of Youth Ministry in planning, promoting and implementing the various programs offered.

PEER MINISTRY

The objective of Peer Ministry at St. Thomas More is to empower high school youth in their Catholic faith. Peer Ministry Leaders (PMLs) are recommended by a religious educator at
St. Thomas More Parish. Today over 30 high school youth of St. Thomas More participate
as Peer Ministry Leaders.

Peer Ministry Leaders actively
1)  Learn about their faith through faith formation programs and activities.
2)  Help organize, plan, promote and implement programs for youth of the parish.
3)  Model their actions, confident in the Catholic faith.
4)  Witness the messages of Christ to others.

SERVICE

All youth of the parish are invited to attend various outreach projects sponsored by Youth Ministry. Approximately once a month, an event is offered to our youth to help those in need - both in the parish and the community. Youth Service Days are held in the fall and spring. Project H.O.P.E. events emphasize helping the hungry. Anthony’s Friends assists in worship with the elderly. Camp FROST reaches out to the youngest children of the parish, and Adopt-A-Family creates
a happy Christmas for needy families in the area.

SPIRITUAL

“J” Walking:  Junior High youth of the parish are invited to attend this program five Wednesdays each year as we walk with Jesus through the book of John. At each session, a selection from the Gospel of John is presented with high energy activities, small group sessions, and concludes with a social.

Camp WOW!:  Each summer, youth in grades 6 to 8 are invited to this 4 day/3 night outdoor recreational camp/retreat experience. St. Thomas More (STM) joins other parishes from the area at the Dixon Valley Retreat Center in Newark, Illinois, for an effective mix of outdoor recreational fun and faith. High School youth are counselors for this awesome Junior High camp!

TRUTH Meetings:  Peer Ministry Leaders meet monthly to form their Catholic faith by addressing various aspects of what we as Catholics practice and believe.

Prayer Partners:  Other ministries of the parish join our youth in praying for specific needs.

Retreats:  Various retreat and conference opportunities are available each year. These include:  Camp WOW!, Rocked By God, Steubenville Conferences, REACH, and Here I am Lord!

Pilgrimages:  Each summer the youth of the parish attend a pilgrimage to a local place of Catholic interest. Past trips have included Marytown in Mundelein and Benedictine University
in Lisle.

SOCIAL

Social events are held each year to give our youth an opportunity to mix in a fun and a safe setting. These events include:  bowling, Christian rock concerts, movie nights, laser tag, Kane County Cougar baseball games, barbecues, etc. Every Youth Ministry event typically turns into
a social event.