| February 7, 2012
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Statement of Vision
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It is the mission of the inter-parish youth ministry to ignite the fire of Christ in the hearts of our Catholic youth. Through the Eucharist and Sacraments and by providing resources, communal support and prayerful experiences we will foster the spiritual formation of teens who desire to grow in their Catholic Faith. This ministry is to be with, by and for our young people as a blessing for our entire community.
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A note from Greg
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Welcome!
As you may have already guessed, devotion is required to work as a Core Team Member for SSYM. The necessary characteristics to be accepted into this ministry are a personal commitment to Christ and a love for teenagers.
Other important traits to consider are a love for the Catholic Church, personal prayer life, freedom from serious sin, regular reading of Scripture, and openness to using the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Now that I have outlined what is expected of you, I will highlight what you can expect from SSYM.
Life Nights . . .
. . . are wonderful opportunities for Core Team members to minister to teenagers through highly creative planned activities following the youth mass. There are three different types of Life Nights that Core members work together weeks in advance to plan. There are Educational Life Nights that have a heavy emphasis on the teachings of the Catholic Church. There are Issue Life Nights that cover hot topics (drugs, suicide, violence, etc.) that affect teens today. There are also Social Life Nights which create a fun environment for teenagers to socialize in a Christian environment (i.e. coffee house, concerts, and open gym). The Life Nights are broken into three semesters with a unique semester theme. Topics are usually planned as a team at the beginning of the semester, and then the Core signs up in teams of 2-3 so that each member is only responsible for 2-3 Life Nights each semester.
Retreats . . .
. . . are another important component of our ministry is the retreats. There are two weekend long retreats per year (fall and spring). Although every retreat has a different theme, the fundamental message is the same: Jesus Christ is Lord and He desires to free us from sin and provide abundant life for us. We celebrate the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist on every retreat. Retreats begin on Friday evening and end on Sunday afternoon, culminating with a youth mass. The Core Team uses a variety of techniques to spread the Gospel: large/small group raps, music, dramas, and personal testimonies. We use every means at our disposal to lead teens into a personal relationship with Jesus.
Wednesday night prayer . . .
. . . is an opportunity for teens to take greater personal ownership of their faith. Teens can sign up to facilitate these nights by preparing a message that they feel called to share. The Core Team is not required to attend, but it is a great time to meet new teens and form the relationships that are essential for the Core Team to be effective. Teens do not care what you know until they know that you care.
Tuesday night Core Team . . .
. . . meetings are essential to the success of the ministry. This is a time to plan, pray, laugh, cry, share, and grow together. This is when the individual Life Nights and retreats are presented and discussed. Everyone has a chance to give feedback and take on roles. These meetings are also a time of training; about three times each semester, I give a workshop in an area that is most helpful for the training and growth of the Core Team.
I anticipate the development of a weekly Scripture or Catechetical study. This will be an even smaller group that digs even deeper into their faith. All the teens that would participate would take a very active leadership role in this evening and it is usually facilitated by a Core member who feels called to deepen their love for the Word. Again, this is not required but encouraged as a growth opportunity.
A commitment to minister as a SSYM core member begins with a minimum of one month of “hands on” training. This will include attending Wednesday night meetings, youth masses, and Life nights where you will shadow me or an experienced Core member. As part of your training, you will be required to make one pastoral visit through our senior ministry at one of the parishes. If accepted, you will be welcomed in quickly by the other Core Team members. From there you will work closely with the staff and you will be slowly introduced into ministry roles. After the first month, you will be expected to take on the complete responsibilities of a Core Team member. The SSYM staff holds the right to extend or shorten your training period.
Each member of the Core Team and staff can testify to the blessings given them through humble service in the Catholic Church. We are all made to require the love of God in our lives, and by the example of Jesus Christ we profess that it is only in giving that we receive.
Thank you,
Greg Robeson
Southside Regional Youth Coordinator
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Who's online?
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People Online: |
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Members:
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Online Now:
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Greg
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Michael James Mette
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Michael James Mette originates from Effingham, IL but our story starts in California. Michael spent the last three years in Cali helping the teens discover how someone so weird could not be born in California. He is passionate about music and has many guitars named after the beautiful women in his life. Ask him what their names are next time you see him... Michael is overjoyed to be here praying and playing with SSYM.
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Heeeyyy!
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 Julie Green is a retired core member at SSYM. She recently quit due to the birth of her first child, Anthony. Even though Julie is not on core anymore, she enjoys hanging out with the teens at SSYM and letting them hold her baby. When she is not at SSYM she is either working at St. Anthony's Hospital as a nurse or hanging out at home with Anthony. For fun, Julie likes to facebook-stalk, spend time with friends, enjoy the outdoors, and play red rover. Julie hopes to someday win the award for having the most children become priests or nuns.
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Eric
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Meet Eric…
Eric has been working with the youth around the St. Louis area for 6 plus years. Eric has been on the core team at Assumption, Immaculate Heart of Mary, and now at SSYM. His full time job is at Neighbors Credit Union and has been working there since October of 2005. Eric is always willing to go the extra mile in getting a project done and he always has a great attitude. Eric's favorite hobbies with the youth group are taking pictures, making sure no one is camera shy, and talking to get to know the teens better. Eric also likes to play fantasy sports and hang out with his Monday night football buddies. During the summer, you will most likely find Eric near a pool, getting some of God's sun rays.
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Katie Wentz
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Hey. I’m Katie Wentz. I am currently attending Washington University, where I am studying for a PhD in Chemistry. I graduated from Benedictine College, in Atchison, Kansas, with a Bachelors in Chemistry. I recently returned from Belize, where I volunteered as a high school teacher. During school breaks I work at Lindenwood Drug doing pharmacy stuff. I love being on Core Team at SSYM. In my free time I like to study, listen to Irish music, travel, watch Gilmore Girls, and hang out with my friends. My favorite quote is “My love for you is like diarrhea. I just can't hold it in."
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Matt "Snack Pack"
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Matt Sinak, aka Snack Pack, is a senior at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. He is majoring in Youth Ministry. He was the summer intern at South Side. Matt likes Ultimate Frisbee, Rugby, and family, but not in that order.
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Nicholas Green
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 Nicholas Green has been serving on SSYM's core team since the summer of 2007. He works as a police officer for the city of St. Louis, and no, he can't fix any of your tickets. Nick's favorite things to do at SSYM are play poop ball, watch disgusting oreo eating contests, play sports, and boardgames. In July 2009 Nick married Julie and they recently had their first child, Anthony. When not at SSYM or at work, Nick likes to take walks with Anthony and have serious man-to-man conversations.
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Shawn Wright
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 Hello, my name is Shawn Wright, I am 21. I currently am attending Meramec. I am working for UPS in the mornings and a pet shop. I am most into Reptiles, mainly snakes. I own 45 snakes of my own, the biggest being a 9 foot python and I take care of 1,000 other snakes every week which can drive ya kinda crazy! Besides having a passion for reptiles I am passionate about my faith and never forgetthe center of my faith- Christ.
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Steve
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 Steve is on his way to fulfilling his dream of staying in school forever. Right now he's in the 19th grade at Washington University in St. Louis pursuing a Ph.D. in Computer Science. In his free time, Steve enjoys running, reading, good conversation, and being outdoors. Steve tries to follow the words of Thoreau and "suck the marrow out of life", and he is constantly reassured by the words of Christ that "I am with you always, until the end of the age" (Matt 28:20). After several years of only being available for summer Core, Steve is excited about getting to hang out at South Side year-round!
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Nikki R
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 oh hey there...
Nikki is on core/interning this spring for SSYM. She attended Meramec and Benedictine College and is currently working at the Crondelet YMCA. She is finishing her degree in Theology very soon. Nikki has been involved in youth ministry since she was in 8th grade and has a passion for showing teens the true beauty of Christ. In Nikki's free time, she likes to read (mostly theology), dance (awesome), and watching endless marathons of Criminal Minds and the Office.
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Lauren
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Lauren is a student at Benedictine College in Atchison, KS and she has absolutely no idea what she wants to major in. She graduated from high school is 2006. She grew up in St. Elizabeth of Hungary’s parish is Crestwood. Her favorite color is green. Julie Green, who also serves on Core Team, is her very best friend. When Lauren was in high school she traveled to El Salvador for a service trip. She enjoys helping others and babysitting. When Lauren isn’t babysitting she’s usually blowing up balloons at Factory Card and Party Outlet. In her free time, Lauren likes to read and watch her favorite TV show, with her very best friend. Lauren is so excited to serve on Core Team at SSYM.
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Brenda
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Brenda Harter originates from small town Nebraska (Go Huskers!!!) and is loving the STL Life. In the 'Real World' she is a Nutrition Expert, aka Registered Dietitian, and during her off time she is a Youth Group Fanatic, Singer, Runner, Forever Learner (shout out: Peter Kreeft on-line talks), Crocheter, Photographer (amateur that is), and Adoration-goer. At ALL times she strives to be a holy follower of Christ, training each day to better serve God and his people. Choice Bible Verse: (RSV Bible), Romans 8:26-28.
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Caroline
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 Caroline Cole is excited to be joining Core Team this summer! She is a student at the U. of Notre Dame and spends most of her time there studying architecture, but squeezes in Theology classes when she can! Caroline had the opportunity to study in Rome last year, which deepened her love for the Church, sacred architecture, and gelato, among other things! In her spare time Caroline likes to run, read good books, pray the Liturgy of the Hours, and beat her family in word games like Boggle. Her favorite saints are St. Josemaria Escriva and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, and she tries to live by these words of St. Escriva: "Be convinced of this: your apostolate consists in spreading goodness, light, enthusiasm, generosity, a spirit of sacrifice, constancy in work, deep study, complete self-surrender, being up-to-date, cheerful and complete obedience to the Church, and perfect charity” (Furrow #927).
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David
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 David Walter graduated from St. John Vianney High School in 2009 and is now a student
at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. He is studying Psychology and is deciding what
other field he would like to major in. Over the summer, David works at the Kenrick-Glennon
Seminary in St. Louis. He enjoys volunteering on the SSYM Core Team, going to concerts, hanging out with friends, being spontaneous and goofy, and so much more. His favorite saints are St. Augustine and St. Thérèse of Lisieux. David is passionate about spreading God’s word to
all and hopes to meet you at South Side Youth Ministry.
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Sam Shackelford
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 This is Sam. Sometimes he has an afro. Sometimes his head is bald. Deal with it.
Sam has been involved in youth ministry since 2004, some of the time since then spent in St. Louis youth ministry programs. The majority of his Catholic development, however, has come from his time at Truman State University, from which he graduated in 2010.
Sam has no idea what sort of career awaits him; his greatest desire is to cooperate with God's Will and so to win as many souls as possible.
Sam's favorite Bible verse: Romans 12:1-2 -- Therefore, brothers, offer yourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform yourselves to this age, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the Will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.
Also... Sam loves hugs.
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Julie Koehn
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 Julie Koehn hails from Wichita, KS. Love and work brought her to STL. She is a teacher in St. Charles, MO.
Don’t worry, she can’t give you detention. For fun Julie enjoys hanging out with everyone cool (people at
SSYM), cooking, camping, playing board games, and occasionally facebook stalking.
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Our sponsoring parish
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Catholic resources
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