About St. Sylvester Youth Ministry
What is Youth Ministry?
The mission of Youth Ministry at St. Sylvester Parish is to bring the teens of the parish into an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ and inpire in them a love for His Church.
We do this through: catechesis, service, parish ministry, community-building and fundraising.
The Youth Ministry Program hopes to bring all young people into active roles within the parish; enables them to continue to grow in their faith and knowledge of God and His Church; and keeps them informed of deanery and diocesan-wide events, retreats and sacramental services. It also serves as an advocate for the young people within the church and within the larger community.
Who is Youth Ministry for?
St. Sylvester Youth Ministry is a program for high school aged youth in the parish.
All high school aged youth are invited to come to any of the events.
This means that there is no "Youth Group," and everyone of appropriate age is welcome to come to Youth Ministry Events.
If you are a high school youth and want more information, please click the Contact Us link to send us an email.
Who runs this program?
The Youth Minister is Erin Conway and she organizes and plans all of the events, meetings, and happenings. However, generous adult parishioners make this ministry possible. Adults serve as chaperones, drivers, coaches, and help in countless other ways. Also, adults support the ministry financially by participating in fundraisers, which include the annual St. Nicholas Pancake Breakfast in December and Car Washes throughout the summer.
What do we do?
Catechesis
...is the purpose of Youth Ministry. Once CCD has ended or teens have graduated
from 8th grade Catholic Grade school, their faith education is
not done -it has only just begun.
Youth Nights where we discuss topics relevant to high school aged
Catholics
Retreats and Food Fasts at the parish
Retreats and Service Trips with the Diocese
Service
...is a vital aspect of the Christian life. Christ calls us to serve those
less fortunate and he blesses us with many graces when we do serve others.
Serving at local charities within the community, such as Brentwood
Food Pantry or Hearthstone Manor
Serving within the Greater Pittsburgh Community, such as Holy Family Institute
or Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank.
Serving nation-wide and world-wide by raising money for charities such as
Catholic Relief Services
Parish Ministry
...is a huge part of our Youth Ministry program. It is so important to feel
connected to a Parish Family. In becoming more active in our parish we
feel more a part of everything, and hopefully we can continue to be active
into
our adult years.
Serving at the monthly Youth Mass, where teens serve as ushers, greeters,
lectors, and altar servers
Organizing and sponsoring Parish Socials, such as Fellowship Sundays
Serving other parish organizations, such as the Parish Festival, Vacation
Bible School, and Women's Guild Luncheons
Community Building
...is critical to Youth Ministry. Humans are social beings and need to feel
comfortable with and connected to those around them. This is especially true
in Youth Ministry because it is easier to share faith, opinions, and feelings
with others when you know them and feel comfortable with them.
Ice Breakers before gatherings
Attending sporting events, such as Pirate Games
Taking trips to amusement parks
All night boling or golfing
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Fundraising
...is last but not least among our activities. We raise all of our funds for
our activities, snacks, supplies, retreats, chaperone admissions, etc. through
fundraising. We are blessed to have generous parishioners and those in the
community who support us. If you'd like to make a donation, please fill out
the Information Form.
Annual St. Nicholas Pancake Breakfast
Summer Car Washes
Various Other Fundraisers, such as Religious Article Sales and Sarris Candies
