High School Youth Ministry

Our mission is to support teens, give them an environment and a community where they can encounter Christ, grow in their faith, and share the love of Jesus with others.

This is done through the Sacraments, engaging talks and discussions, and socializing. Whether you are actively pursuing your faith and striving to be a disciple of Christ or simply hoping to connect with a group of people to dive deeper into faith, we welcome you to this vibrant community of young people!

No need to sign-up, simply join us as often as you are able. Senior High Youth Group is an exciting way for people in grades 9 -12 to meet other people of faith and learn more about what it takes to live as a “true Catholic" in today’s world. Youth Group Nights have everything from speakers and games to small group time and lots of treats! Friends are invited and welcome. 

Youth Group will meet every 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month from 6:30-8pm in the Community Room.
 

Want to stay up to date on Youth Ministry events?

Email John Boyle to subscribe to YM Weekly! John sends out weekly emails to keep you in the loop on Youth Ministry events, registrations, updates, and more!

johnboyle@saintvdp.org

Want to know what we talk about in youth group?

Sign up to receive notifications of upcoming events! 

Emmaus Peer Ministry is a monthly group for Juniors and Seniors in high school where we strive to be Catholic leaders. The goal of Emmaus is to form disciples that desire to walk alongside their peers to help them in any situation possible and lead them to Jesus.

Luke 24:13-35 is the story of Jesus appearing to these two men after his resurrection. They did not recognize it was Jesus with them, and Jesus asks, "What are you discussing?" The couple are confused about what has happened in Jerusalem where a man was innocently crucified. They believed he was to be the prophet to redeem Israel, but then supposedly rose from the dead 3 days later. Jesus walks with them as they were heading to Emmaus and shows them Scripture and interprets it for them. The couple invited Jesus to stay with them through the night. Jesus then takes bread, blesses it, breaks it, and gave it to them, and through that, their eyes were opened and saw that it was truly Jesus. The couple asks each other, "Were not our hearts burning while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?"

This is our model for our peer ministry. As peer ministers, we walk alongside those who are in need, those who are confused, those who are struggling. We are not there to fix people, but to simple walk alongside them in their journey and be willing to go out of our way to do so. We be Jesus to them and in the end, we bring them to Jesus as Jesus brought the couple to the Eucharist. We recognize as peer ministers that we are not counselors and we are not doctors, but Jesus works through us and our actions. That is what Catholic leadership looks like.

All Juniors and Seniors are welcome to come to Emmaus. We meet once a month. Check the Calendar for the next meeting.