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What is Life Teen?
Life Teen is a Catholic program for teens (grades 9-12). It is a comprehensive youth ministry experience, helping to care for the spiritual, social, catechetical and emotional needs of teens. Come join the largest and most dynamic Catholic youth program in the country! Over 40,000 teens make the Life Teen program their home on Sunday nights. We meet together for the 5:00 p.m. Holy Mass, and sit as a group in the front left side of the main aisle of the Church. If you are not sure where to go, simply ask one of the ushers! The Mass is followed by a free dinner and the Life Night.
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Just exactly what happens at a Life Night?
Every Sunday night after Holy Mass, the teens gather for a free meal, followed by the Life Night, from 6-8 p.m. The meetings will have a particular focus, whether it be Catechetical, i.e. teaching the teens about the faith in a relevant way, Social, i.e. giving the teens a place in which to build healthy, strong relationships in a safe environment, that allows them to be encouraged, uplifted and relaxed, Emotional, i.e. focusing on developing in teens healthy ways of expressing their emotions, and helping them to bring their emotions in conformity with how God created them to be, Spiritual, i.e. guiding teens as they delve into all of the amazing and varied ways our God has given us to communicate with Him, to come to know our older brothers and sisters in the faith, the Saints, and to become Saints as well. There are many forms of prayer, and leading and encouraging the teens in these helps them to remained balanced and on a firm foundation. The Rosary, silent prayer, meditation, prayer with music and with the Scriptures, adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament, intercessory prayer, and more. The beauty of the Catholic faith is that we have the whole package, because our Lord knew we were going to need it!
Through interactive dialogue, prayer, activities, talks, guest speakers, service opps, and more, the Life Nights strive to reach out to teens, the overall atmosphere is one that welcomes them as young people to respond to Christ now, where they are at, and to hopefully remain strong as they enter more fully into the vocations that God has called each one of them to.
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Core Team? What's that?
While the Coordinator of Youth Ministry works hard to minister to the teens of
the parish, it is by no means of a job for the Lone Ranger! The Core Team is a group of dynamic parishioners who have committed a good chunk of their time, energy and talents to helping plan Life Nights, retreats, and ministry to the youth of the parish. They truly have a heart for reaching out to teens, and helping families guide and shape our young people to fully respond the universal call to holiness.
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What's a Steubenville Conference?
Steubenville Conferences combine awesome talks, incredible music, praise and worship, time for prayer and fellowship, entertainment, and anointed liturgies. Basically, it’s a weekend to get rocked by God, to get serious about life in Christ and His Church, and to learn the truth of the Gospel.
Click here to learn a lot more about the history of the Franciscan University Youth Conferences
St. Mark's has been going to Steubenville Atlanta for many years, as this is the closest conference to us here in North Carolina, and it has impacted in a positive way many of our teens over the years. Many teens look forward to this as the highlight of their summer!
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Why should I come to Life Teen, Catholic Athletes, or any other youth ministry activities and events?
Basically, in a nutshell, it can be reduced to this. Are you a Saint already? If not, then you should come. Are you already living a perfect life as a young Catholic? Do you ever need questions answered, or need prayer with others your age? Do you have difficulty with pressures at school, or finding people your age who share the same values as you do? Are you happy, truly happy? Can you truly say that right now, at this moment, you don't need any help in your walk as a young Catholic Christian?
Life Teen, Catholic Athletes, Bible Study, the Fall Retreat and everything we do here with youth ministry is geared toward helping you as a young Catholic to live the Catholic life, and still have a life. Come to grow in the faith, come to help other younger teens grow in their faith, come because it is good to see and share with others your age who are going through a lot of the same things you are. Come in order to have help as you try to be an authentic young Catholic.
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Can I bring friends?
Is the Pope German? Of course you can! Your friends are welcome! The only thing we ask is that they have to be in high school. They don't even need to be Catholic. If they aren't, please prep them ahead of time that it is a Catholic meeting though. As well, make sure you introduce them to people, including the Coordinator of Youth Ministry and the Core Team.
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What should I wear?
We only ask that you dress modestly, and respectfully. Casual attire is fine if you have already gone to Holy Mass, and are just coming to the Life Night. If you are coming to the 5 p.m. Holy Mass beforehand, please keep this in mind, and dress appropriately. Some teens will bring a change of clothes for the Life Nights.
Dressing up for Holy Mass is a very good thing, since it is the main time in the week where you come to meet your God and King, Jesus, in the Eucharist, and pray with your fellow Catholics. If you were going to meet the President of the United States, or the Pope, or even your girlfriend/boyfriend's parents, you would put some thought into making sure you dressed appropriately. Well, the same, and more, can be said for coming to meet the Creator of Heaven and Earth. Just something to think and pray about.
If you have any questions about what is and what isn't appropriate, please don't hesitate to ask.
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What should I bring?
An open heart and mind are two of the most important things to bring with you. Bringing a friend or two is also a good idea. Another good thing is to bring a desire to make this Catholic faith your own, and not just something your parents are making you.
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What is the Fall Retreat, and why should I come?
The Fall Retreat is a great chance to get away from your normal environment, and go a little deeper with your life as a Catholic teen. It's also a lot of fun, and an amazing experience! Just ask the teens who have gone on these in the past. They are the best promoters for the retreat!
Taking a weekend to get away from schoolwork, sports, and the pressures of your everyday life, and take the time to reflect, pray, and hang out with other teens from your parish is a great thing!
We can't encourage you enough to attend the fall retreat!
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Do I need to register to attend, and is there a fee?
Teens do not need to register to attend if they just visiting, or checking it out. But, if they come regularly, we need to have a registration form. This is so that we have family contact information, allergy information, and can keep teens and parents informed about what is going on for teens in our parish. We also are required to get permission from parents and teens to use photos of them for youth ministry promotions.
The registration fee covers various associated costs related to youth ministry, including, but not limited to meal costs, resources for Life Nights, Bible studies, youth trips and activities.
