Sacred Heart of Jesus

For information about participating in any of the following Youth Group ministries, please contact Mark Evevard in the parish center at 303-442-6158, ext. 107.

LIFE TEEN MASS

Everyone is invited to join us for the dynamic, upbeat Sacred Heart of Jesus LIFE TEEN Mass every Sunday at 6:30 PM.

LIFE NIGHTS

9th -12th graders are welcome to join us on Sunday nights after the LIFE TEEN Mass until 9:00 PM. Don't miss out.

LIFE TEEN, THE MINISTRY LIFE TEEN

Our ministry to high school students is designed to foster the personal and spiritual growth of our teens. This ministry is centered on the Eucharist, and teens are called to take a more active role in the liturgy at the weekly LIFE TEEN Mass. After Mass, teens gather for a Life Night, which is a time for prayer, fellowship, and small groups which call them forth to live as disciples of Christ in the world. Click here to register and get online with the SHJ Life Teen Group!

WHAT IS LIFE TEEN?

The LIFE TEEN Program is a comprehensive youth ministry program with a strong focus on the Eucharist. Starting with a weekly LIFE TEEN Mass, high school teens are placed in an environment where they have the opportunity to experience fully the greatest gift we have as the Church. This liturgy provides the cultural connection for the teen - allowing them to take ownership of their faith so it's not just their parent's thing anymore. They begin to develop a relationship with Jesus that is both personal and real. Immediately following the Mass, teens gather for the Life Night to learn about the Church and their faith in challenging ways.

WHAT ATTRACTS TEENS TO LIFE TEEN?

Two things: the TRUTH and EXPERIENCE. Teaching teens about the truth in line with the theology of the Catholic Church is how the program educates through creative Bible studies, discussions and personal experiences. Providing powerful liturgies for teens and their families is how the program helps them experience the power and love of Christ in the Eucharist, the Word of God and each other.

WHAT MAKES LIFE TEEN WORK?

From its inception in 1985, LIFE TEEN has been leading teens closer to Christ. Focusing on a holistic approach, LIFE TEEN has developed a program to reach high school teens on all levels: emotional, intellectual, spiritual and relational - dispelling the notion that all it takes is a social club with lots of activities to keep teens on track. It takes much more. This ministry draws every aspect of a teen's life into a faith connection and journey with and for Jesus Christ. In addition to the powerful weekly liturgies and challenging youth meetings, there are retreats, outreach, prayer groups and other activities for teens that deepen their communion with Christ and each other.

Community is vital to the success of this program as teens receive education, support and guidance in the environment of a community of peers, church leaders, parents and volunteers. Trained youth ministers and core members are there to help teens experience their Catholic faith and to provide a model of Christian living.

Is there really a reason to devote this much time, energy and resources to youth ministry? Yes! Quality youth ministry is not only a way to respond to the Church's mission to evangelize, it can be a life-giving alternative to the negative pressures of today which are so strongly exerted on our youth. Teens today are at physical intellectual, emotional and spiritual risk than any other age category. The need is there... the time is now!

THE COMPONENTS OF HOW LIFE TEEN WORKS

LIFE TEEN reaches out to teens right where they are. LIFE TEEN youth ministers and community members become an active part in the lives of teenagers both at Church and at the places where teens spend their time. As they interact with teens in different situations, they have the opportunity to model the Christian life - showing teens that faith and relationship with God are compatible and relevant to the life they're living right now. Teens are welcomed as part of the parish community in which teens feel free to be themselves.

LIFE TEEN MASS: A Mass open to all parishioners that has a focus on the teens. The homily, music and liturgical ministries are all geared toward teens. The amazing thing is that teens are not the only ones drawn to this Mass. People of all ages, especially families, have found a home at LIFE TEEN Masses across the country. The LIFE TEEN Program has at its center the Eucharist and the hope that teens will stay active in their faith long after their high school years have passed as their personal relationship with Christ and His Church takes root and deepens with time and experience.

SERVICE AND OUTREACH: The teens of Sacred Heart of Jesus are encouraged to be involved in the local and world communities. Through service and outreach programs teens experience the call to truly be disciples of Christ and to serve those in need.

LIFE NIGHT: Every Sunday following the LIFE TEEN Mass, teens are encouraged to attend Life Night. These creative nights bring to life our Catholic faith and relevant issues for teens. Teens openly share and experience what it is to be a Catholic teen today. These catechetical nights are presented in line with the teachings of the Catholic Church and provide a comprehensive array of topics over four years. Teens are encouraged to play an active role in these nights.

TEEN LEADERSHIP: Sacred Heart of Jesus Teens are encouraged, trained and are active in leadership roles within the entire parish community. From serving at Mass to teaching at CCD classes to putting on a Confirmation Retreat, teens are allowed to share their gifts with the parish community and their peers.

LIFE TEEN RETREATS: Taking teens away on retreat can transform their lives. Sacred Heart of Jesus LIFE TEEN hosts at a retreat each year. These retreats give teens the opportunity to experience the Unconditional Love of Christ found in the Sacraments.

LIFE TEEN CORE: This group of adults provide the working leadership for the LIFE TEEN program at Sacred Heart! They accomplish this mainly by developing relationships with our teens and leading them to Christ by the witness of their lives. The team has planning meetings to pray for our teens and discuss the topics that Life Nights should address. The team's busiest day is Sunday when they set-up for the Life Night, fellowship with teens at the LIFE TEEN Mass, and then put on the Life Night. Get involved! Contact Mark at 303-442-6158, ext. 107.