Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church

Youth

Mission Statement

Our Catholic Community invites all youth to have fun, To celebrate their identity,

To know God,

And come together to better the world.

High School (grades 9-12) and

Middle School (grades 6-8)

Youth Ministry is our Church community's response to meeting the needs of young people and inviting them to participate in the life and work of our community.

Youth Ministry focuses on these eight components:

Advocacy, Catechesis, Community Life, Evangelization, Leadership Development, Justice & Service, Pastoral Care,

and Prayer & Worship.

PERMISSION FORMS:

Youth Mass:

Generally the first Sunday of the month @ 11:00 am

Our Lady of the Lake Church

Middle and High School Youth are invited to be involved: Eucharistic Ministers, Greeters, Music, Lectors, Cross Bearers, Ushers

High School Leadership:

Generally we meet the first Sunday of the month following the Youth Mass.

12:30-2:00 pm: Plan, prepare and take leadership in all youth programs.

SPRING SUMMER YOUTH CALENDAR

2011-2012 Retreat Dates:

“Chastity Force” Conference at Our Lady of the Lake October 30, 2011
8^th Grade Confirmation Retreat @ Camp Geneva November 12-13, 2011
National Catholic Conference @ Indianapolis, IL November 17-19, 2011
7^th Grade Confirmation Retreat @ Aquinas College December 3, 2011
HS Youth Rally @ 3 Mile Project in Walker January 15, 2011
HS March for Life @ Washington, D.C. January 22-25, 2011
MS Youth Rally @ 3 Mile Project in Walker February 4, 2011
MS Luke 18 Retreat @ Corpus Christi Center March 23-25, 2011

Adult Volunteers:

Adult volunteers are needed to assist with the youth ministry programs. A background check will need to be processed and the Protecting God’s Children’s coarse will need to be completed. Please register on line for a class at www.virtus.org

Evangelization and Relational Outreach

Weekly, youth (grades 6-12) gather for activities and catechesis, which promote active growth in personal faith. Classes are held on Sunday and Wednesday evenings, 6:30-8:00 pm at the Corpus Christi Center and Sunday evenings at Our Lady of the Lake. We also provide monthly a monthly Youth led Mass, service opportunities, social activities and more.

Sacramental Preparation:

Confirmation Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation is a one-year program during 8^th grade, which offers young people the opportunity to explore their faith and their commitment to the Church community in a deeper way. All ninth - twelfth graders are eligible. Candidates participate in formal classes as well as service work and an overnight retreat experience. The Sacrament of Confirmation is offered each spring to candidates who have completed preparation. Young people desiring to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist or Reconciliation can contact the Parish Office.

Spiritual Opportunities:

Our Lady of the Lake celebrates a youth led mass the first Sunday of each month at 11:00 am. Young people are encouraged to take part in all lay ministries- Lector, commentator, music, children’s liturgy, Eucharistic Ministry, cross bearer, greeter and gift bearer. Youth are also invited to assist in faith formation classes, Vacation Bible School and Sacramental Programs.

Service Opportunities:

Monthly service opportunities take place at church, school and in the community. We encourage youth to take part in these opportunities that are being offered. Find a place where you can use the gifts that were given to you.

Workcamp: Our Lady of the Lake offers an annual workcamp experience. Youth need to register the beginning of October to take part in monthly fundraising and fellowship opportunities. Current 8^th graders thru 12^th grade are invited to join us with YOUTHWORKS this July 17-23, 2011 at Adirondack Mountains, New York. The total cost for the workcamp trip is $600 per student.

Social Activities:

Young people of our community have the genuine need to build community with their peers and adult mentors. Some of the up-coming social activities of our Church include: Painting our youth room; Saugatuck Dune Ride; Family Hay Ride at Tuesinks Farm; Broom Ball; Craig’s Cruiser Lock-In; Reliable Sports Billiard Night; Lost City mini golf and lazar tag.

DYMO Camp: Check www.dymo.org now for summer experience

of your life time this June 12-18, 2011

At Camp teens experience Catholic Christian living, leadership formation, opportunities for group discussions, creative expressions of the arts, prayer and a variety of liturgies, swimming, volleyball, hiking and loads of fun
The $350 registration for DYMO Camp ranks among the most affordable summer camp experiences in the State of Michigan.
The 30 volunteer staff members of DYMO Camp represent over 20 parish communities from the Greater West Michigan area
DYMO Camp is overseen by a Board of Directors and works in cooperation with the Diocese of Grand Rapids
DYMO Camp is fully licensed by the State of Michigan. YMCA Camp Pinewood is accredited through the ACA

Discover your values. Learn more about your faith. Find new sides of yourself to express. Relax. Grow. Build new and lasting friendships. Enjoy yourself. Experience a week in a wonderful woodland environment with other young people like you.

Youth

Mary Murphy