| March 10, 2010
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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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Visitors:
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Members:
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Total:
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Online Now:
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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 core member for Southside Youth Ministry. Before joining core team, she served on the Archdiocese's REAP Team speaking about chastity every weekend for a year. She has been on core team year around for 2 years now. Aside from hanging out with the awesome teens from youth group, Julie attends school at Chamberlain College of Nursing, formally Deaconess College of Nursing. She would like to be a nurse when she "grows up" and want to work in hospice before going back to school to become a nurse practicioner. Her brother is planning on attending medical school so she thinks it would be really neat to work at a practice with him. For money, Julie works at a home health care agency. So, she goes elderly people’s houses and helps them with some of their basic needs. Julie likes to hang out with friends, read, babysit, do anything outdoors, nap, sing, travel, make smores, play Red Rover, and watch the many shows that she Tivos. Julie's favorite scripture verses are Hebrews 12:1 and Sirach 19:4-12. She also has a special place in her heart for the Poor Souls in Purgatory. "True holiness consists of doing God's will with a smile."
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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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 This is Nicholas Green. He went to Saint Mary's High School and is now is in college here in St. Louis. He hopes to one day be a biology or special education teacher in his hometown, St. Louis. Aside from getting an education and volunteering at SSYM, he works at a preschool for austic children. He also works at an after school problem for kids with special needs. He also also works at the YMCA. Even though he works all the time, he still finds time for God, family, and friends. Also, for some reason, his hair is always standing up.
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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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Our sponsoring parishes
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Catholic resources
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