Life Teen Mission Statement
Life Teen is an international Catholic movement that serves the Church by providing resources and faith experiences that help lead teens closer to Christ. This is accomplished through a vibrant Eucharistic spirituality and by creating opportunities for teens to grow in their faith.
A Look at Life Teen.
Life Teen began in 1985 as a single-parish program in Mesa, Arizona. As it grew in popularity with the teens, people around the country began to take notice. The simple model of a Mass focused on teens and their families, followed by a catechetical session called a "Life Night," remains effective to this day. As more parishes inquired about the ministry, Life Teen began offering national training conferences on this new and comprehensive youth ministry model within a few years. In the past two decades, Life Teen has grown into one of the most prolific Catholic youth ministry programs in the world.
St. Patrick Catholic Community has made Life Teen an integral part of the life of our community and offers one of the most active programs in the Diocese of Phoenix. St. Patrick's is committed to the physical, emotional, and spiritual prosperity of the teens of the parish, and the parish supports the goals of Life Teen and its many activities.
What is Life Teen?
Life Teen is a comprehensive youth ministry program with a strong focus on the Eucharist. Despite its phenomenal growth, it has never deviated from what it set out to be - a parish-based Catholic-centered ministry for high school teens of all faiths. The goal of Life Teen is to create an environment to lead teens into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church. It speaks to teens on all levels: emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual.
The evening begins with a mass directed specifically towards teens, which is followed immediately by the Life Night, which falls under one of three categories: catechetical, issue, or social. The primary objective is to encourage teens to realize a deeper relationship with Christ and to challenge them to live their faith as they carry out their daily lives. Teens experience this sharing in an atmosphere of love and acceptance from their peers and the adult leaders who are there to assist them in their journey.
In order for Life Teen to achieve its full potential, the full support of St. Patrick is essential. The youth minister works closely with the priest and initiates, organizes, and oversees the program among a core team of trained adult leaders, parish leadership, and the parish community.
The Life Teen core team is made up of adults who are at least college-age. Each core member is charged to reach out to teens on both an individual basis and as a member of the of the core team. Core members assist with all Life Nights and retreats.
What Makes It Work?
Providing teens and their parents with a liturgy geared towards their spiritual needs is at the heart of Life Teen's effectiveness. The program educates by presenting the truth in the context of the teachings and theology of the Catholic Church. This is accomplished through transformation prayer experiences, discussions, and the sharing of personal experiences. Teens are given the opportunity to become an integral part of the parish through service, outreach, and social gatherings.
The media used to enhance the teens' experience of community worship is artistically worthy, appropriate, and appealing to them. Music and the art forms provide crucial links to the teens and the assembly and the liturgy they share together.
Like all teenagers, the teens of St. Patrick Catholic Community face many pressures and difficult social choices. Depression, drugs, broken homes, shattered relationships, and extreme materialism are facts of life for today's high school teens. Life Teen provides sanctuary, hope, and acceptance for teens at a time in their lives when all of these positive elements can seem in very short supply.
The Life Teen ministry at St. Patrick celebrates a Sunday Night Youth Liturgy every week. Immediately following the youth liturgy, Life Teen members gather for an evening session called a Life Night. During the week, Life Teen Clubs and prayer groups meet to continue learning and studying together.
Twice a year, Life Teen sponsors weekend retreats. These events allow teens to leave familiar surroundings and routines to devote special energy to developing a better relationship with themselves, others, and especially with Jesus Christ. Throughout the year, there are also many opportunities for meaningful Christian service throughout the parish and the community as a whole. Life Teen also offers many summer activities, which includes various youth conferences, summer camps, and mission trips as well as many other recreational trips throughout the year.
The recipients of all of this labor of love are the teens. Life Teen provides an opportunity for them to feel welcomed and loved. They are given a constructive, loving, positive alternative to many of the negative, destructive activities of contemporary society. As a result of Life Teen, teens can experience real joy and find their lives transformed forever.
For more information about Life Teen at St. Patrick Catholic Community call 480-998-3843 and ask for the Life Teen Youth Minister or visit www.splifeteen.com. For more information on the International Life Teen Program, visit their website at www.lifeteen.com.
St. Patrick Catholic Community
10815 N. 84th St.
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
(480) 998-3843
Fax (480) 998-5218
www.stpatrickscottsdale.org
