DMY Middle School(6^th and 8^th Graders)

DMY is open to 6^th-8^th -8th grade parish youth and friends from both Catholic and public schools. Parents volunteers are needed to lead this group.

Objectives:

• to create a welcoming environment for middle school aged children to foster a personal relationship with Christ and a personal option for the Catholic faith in connection with their parish
• to channel the kids’ youthful energy and creativity to intensify parish life for the entire family
• to encourage a spirit of responsibility and initiative amongst the kids, showing them that their love for Christ can make a difference in the world

HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH MINISTRY

The HS Youth Ministry is open to all 9-12th grade parish teens and friends from Catholic and public schools. We offer a welcoming and accepting environment rooted in our Catholic heritage; accepting of their world, expressions, questions, feelings, and insights.

We meet most Sundays throughout the school year and summer following the 6pm Youth Mass. Check schedule details on the website. Topics cover issues important to the life-faith experiences of teens. Christian community is formed through in-depth faith sharing, creative prayer, active learning experiences, and peer ministry.

A variety of other events are held during the year as well. These include guest speakers, games, and outings such as ski trip, scavenger hunts, retreats, service projects, inter-parish activities, regional rallies, national conferences and more.

PARISH YOUTH RETREATS

The Divine Mercy Youth Ministry offers several annual retreats for parish youth. The purposes of these retreats include:

• To evangelize the youth of our community.
• To build and deepen community in our parish, school and youth ministries.
• To deepen a sense of identity and involvement of young people with the Catholic Church.
• To teach about integration of faith and morals in everyday living.
• To foster a personal relationship with Jesus and an ownership of one’s faith.

Parents are encouraged to support the participation of their children in these retreat experiences.

LITURGICAL MINISTERS

Youth are encouraged to take an active role in witnessing their faith and serving their parish community. Youth are welcome to serve the Divine Mercy parish family at the liturgies of the Eucharist in the liturgical ministries of Lector, Usher, Greeter, Altar Servers and in the Music Ministries. Training sessions will be arranged several times through the year.

DRAMA MINISTRY

LIVING STATIONS OF THE CROSS: On Good Friday, teens portray Jesus’ suffering and death. Practices are on Sundays during Lent.

LIVING NATIVITY: The week before Christmas, teens portray the Nativity scene on the Parish property.

YOUTH MINISTRY FUNDRAISERS

There are opportunities to fundraise so that teens can afford some of our activities.

CHRISTIAN SERVICE

The life and teachings of Jesus call us to reach out and serve those in need. Our Catholic social justice teachings help us to understand our responsibility of Christian witness and service. Divine Mercy Parish total youth ministry is active in the educating and challenging our young people to live out this call within the parish and broader community.

WORLD YOUTH DAY

Each year the Church recognizes the value and gifts our young people have to offer. The youth are not the Church of tomorrow, but an active part of our Church today. Divine Mercy celebrates World Youth Day by attending pilgrimages throughout the world. .

YOUTH LEADERSHIP –Peer Ministry

There are multiple opportunities for youth to get involved in leadership within Divine Mercy youth ministry. Teams involving youth leadership include:

• Junior High Youth Ministry
• High School Youth Ministry
• High School Retreat Team