Stewardship is often described as recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God and responding by sharing our time, talent, and treasure in service to His mission. One of the most meaningful investments we can make as a parish community is in the faith formation of our young people.
Our youth ministry is built on the LIFE TEEN curriculum, a Catholic faith-based program founded on a simple but powerful belief: when a teenager encounters Christ through the beauty of the Catholic faith, they will transform their parish, community, and culture. This vision aligns closely with the mission of the Church and the call each of us receives through our baptism—to go forth and make disciples.
Young people today face countless challenges and competing voices that seek to shape their values and identity. Youth ministry provides a place where they can encounter Jesus, ask honest questions, build authentic friendships, and discover that they are loved by God and welcomed within the Church. Through prayer, Scripture, the sacraments, service opportunities, and meaningful discussion, our teens are invited into a deeper relationship with Christ.
This ministry is not simply about keeping young people engaged until adulthood. It is about forming future disciples, leaders, volunteers, parents, and faithful Catholics who will carry the Gospel into the world. When our parish invests in youth ministry, we are planting seeds that will bear fruit for years to come. We are helping to raise a generation that knows Christ and is equipped to share His love with others.
We are blessed to have a dedicated team of 15 youth advisors who generously share their time, faith, and talents to accompany our teens on their journey with Christ. Their commitment is a beautiful example of stewardship in action. As our ministry continues to grow, we are always looking for more faith-filled and like-minded individuals who feel called to invest in the lives of our young people. Stewardship calls us to look beyond our immediate needs and consider the legacy of faith we will leave behind. Supporting youth ministry—through prayer, volunteering, mentoring, encouragement, and financial support—is one of the most direct ways we answer that call. Every teen who encounters Christ through this ministry has the potential to strengthen our parish today and transform our community tomorrow. For young families with children entering their teen years, we encourage you to explore what LIFE TEEN has to offer this fall. There is no greater gift we can give our children than an opportunity to encounter Jesus Christ and build a lasting relationship with Him within a vibrant Catholic community. We invite you to join us as we continue to nurture the faith of the next generation and witness how God is working through our youth to transform our parish, community, and culture.
St. Patrick Parish LIFE TEEN events will be posted in the bulletin, Facebook and Instagram communication portals. Our first gathering of the 2026-27 school year is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, September 13, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
God bless,
Laura Kruest