2008 Recap

St. Anthony’s Youth Ministry Program has been very active this year! As summer moved into Fall, the Youth Group kicked-off this year with the theme, “Rooted in Christ.” With the Life Teen Program for High School and the Edge Program for Jr. High School the Youth Center is always packed with teens on Youth Nights! And of course this program could not happen without the help of the Jr. High and High School Leadership Teams. To all the leaders of youth group, thank you so much for your dedication. It is such a blessing!

Our Youth Ministry Program includes several retreats throughout the year. These Retreats are opportunities for teens to become closer to God, grow in their faith and build community with other Catholic teens. Last January the teens attended a Fire and Ice Retreat in the beautiful Retreat Center in Mt. Angel. In the Spring was a 14 mile Pilgrimage from Holy Rosary Mission to Mt. Angel. Later in the Spring we had a Lock-in where teens stay up all night long doing activities including a teaching Mass, guitar hero, praise and worship, group games, a talent show, and plenty more throughout the night. This Fall we had a High School Reach Retreat and a Jr. High Ropes Retreat. The Reach Retreat was put on by a team of Catholic young adults that travel all throughout the US. The Ropes Retreat was held at Camp Yamhill and helped teens build community with each other in a faith environment doing activities such as an outdoor obstacle course.

Steubenville NW, a Youth Conference with dynamic speakers, praise and worship, Adoration, workshops, and fun games, was the highlight of the year for many teens. As the Steubenville NW trip drew closer, many of our teens worked hard to raise money. Some of the fundraisers included the Youth Yard Work Day, a dance, as well as a pop can drive. Their hard efforts paid off and they were able to pay for a substantial amount of the costs! The trip was a powerful experience for all that went.

Summer time can be just as busy as the school year! Some of our fun summer events included roller skating, bowling, games nights, movie nights, guitar class, and a beach trip. Also during the summer some of our teens attended a Christian Leadership Camp where they learned leadership skills and came back with a burning desire to become more involved at the parish. This year many teens have stepped up to help out with activities at youth group. It’s a wonderful thing to watch their confidence grow in using their gifts to serve God. And there are plenty of opportunities for teens to become involved in the parish community. The rummage sale, Mexican Dinner, Bazaar, Advent Event, Italian Dinner and Vacation Bible School are all events that teens have had fun volunteering at. Teens have also taken roles at Mass such as Servers, Lectors, Ushers, Greeters, Eucharistic Ministers and Musicians. Kudos for getting involved in your Church!



Thanks to all the teens for a great year! Thanks for your enthusiasm and fun energy! You are awesome!!!

And thanks to all the parents and parishioners that are so supportive of our Youth Ministry Program!

Have a blessed new year that’s full of laugher and smiles!

Deborah