In the presentation: The Address to the Presbyterate of the Archdiocese
of Chicago, says this:

One of the great crises in our church today is precisely the urgent need for education and formation of our young Catholics in the basic elements of our faith. Three words jump off the pages your study [the Archdiocesan Strategic Pastoral Plan]: the need for boldness in pastoral initiatives; an urgency for mission; and the need for a deep solidarity with the faithful, especially with young people.

We are taking this challenge seriously. At Father Greg’s initiative and with the help of Jane Colleton, our parish coordinator for the Archdiocesan Strategic Plan we are reaching out to the young people of our parish.

Youth Ministry always involves pizza, gym nights, service projects, and that is true here too, but most importantly, Youth Ministry needs to be centered in the liturgical life of the Church and so we have chosen the Life Teen program. We are starting with one “Teen Mass” a month, on the fourth Sundays, and we have plans for a Lenten retreat, for service projects and of course some gym nights, an overnight ski trip and some other social events.

A “Teen Mass” isn’t exclusively for teens any more than any of our other parish masses are exclusive to any one group. The Life Teen Mass is aimed at the needs of teens, but it may speak to people of other ages as well. It is our hope and intention to involve the teens in the process of doing liturgy beginning with the planning and on through the celebration.

Karie Ferrell - Director of Evangelization & Catechesis
(847) 864-0333 ext 14
kferrell@stmaryevanston.org