High School Youth Ministry 


Called for Greatness….

Sign up for more information about our NEW  High School Leadership Group

STME's Teen Leadership Group - Where you can make a difference!

St. Monica and St. Eugene are your parishes too.

Students who have already been confirmed are highly encouraged to be a part of this group but it is open to all high school students.

It is casual and fun!

More information will be sent out this fall directly to those who sign up.


YOUTH MINISTRY STAFF

Joyce Swietlik, Director of Religious Education - jswietlik@stme.church

Kylie Dawley, Associate Director of Youth Ministry - kdawley@stme.church

Juliette Anderson, Administrative Assistant - janderson@stme.church

 

DETAILS ABOUT OUR HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Program Overview


MAKING THE FAITH COME ALIVE AND RELEVANT TO THEIR LIFE.

We know that our teens are well-rounded with many high academic goals and competitive extracurricular activities. With this in mind, it is our goal to work with them and to support them, and show them how their faith can help create the balance they need to successfully achieve their academic and extracurricular goals. We don’t aim to compete as just another activity, but we aim to offer them solid, Catholic teachings that will help them understand things such as who they are and why they were created; how to manage themselves and recognize the beauty in true, authentic friendships; and most importantly, how to deepen their relationship, and have a personal encounter with, our Lord. It is our aim to meet them where they are and to reveal to them all the beauty our Catholic faith holds and how they too, can share and grow within it.


PARENTS ARE THE FIRST EDUCATORS OF THEIR CHILDREN.

It is also our aim to support you, the parents, in passing along this treasure of faith. We believe ourselves to be a partner with you in this mission. We ask you to help us, by making sure your child commits to attending every class. Their presence at each class is invaluable to us, their leaders, as well as to the other students within their small groups. In addition, each class is solidly packed with awesome information and activities that would be difficult to recreate in a make-up setting.

We also aim to provide you with all the necessary tools to journey with us in your child's learning. Our curriculum includes you!  We have booklets and online videos so that you may also follow along with us in our lessons. Our hope is that the discussions we have in our groups will carry into your home and you will be well-equipped to take them deeper. You will have full access to everything your child will be learning.


CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

To the Catholic high school 9th & 10th grade families, we acknowledge and support your commitment to Catholic education and the absolute blessing that it is. While we are aware that your child is receiving a solid, faith education each day, we still invite you to commit to the 9th & 10th grade program as well. Their junior year they will be required to do their Confirmation prep with us and receive the Sacrament through us. 

It is vital to impart on the teens that parish life is their community too. Our life in our parishes begin when we are born and end when we die. It is so important that they become comfortable in helping to create a unique community life with other teens in the parishes.

SMALL GROUPS

We can offer your child an opportunity to go even deeper within the small groups that they will be a part of, and to build friendships and connections within our parish communities helping them to realize the impact they have on others. 

We witness that when the teens break into their small groups they build strong relationships with each other, which naturally allows for them to grow personally as well as together as a group. The small groups that thrive and have fun are those that put in the time and make a commitment to themselves and their group.


FAQ: WHAT IS SUMMER CONFIRMATION?

Summer Confirmation classes are unique to our parishes. It is a wonderful way for rising 11th graders to complete their confirmation prep before the start of their junior year and then be confirmed in the fall of their junior year.  Firstly, we can only offer this program if we have volunteer catechists staff to lead the program. If we have the staff support then we will open registration in the spring. Class size is very limited. Since the program is very accelerated, the students must commit to the prerequisites and attendance requirements. 

Basic Summer Confirmation Prerequisites

  1. Be a member of the parishes of St. Eugene or St. Monica

  2. Must have successfully completed the 10th grade program and/or attend a Catholic High School 

  3. Commit to the requirements: attendance, retreat, service, Mass attendance

  4. Be ready to take their faith life seriously 

Priority registration will be given to those 10th graders who are currently enrolled in our 10th grade program. If space permits, first-come enrollment will open to Catholic High School students who indicate interest in our program. If your child hasn’t been in our Religious Education programming then please make sure you are signed up on our Youth mailing list so you receive information regarding all our Youth events.


FReSHMEN PROGRAM

Freshmen Curriculum: You. Life, Love, and the Theology of the Body (Ascension Press)

When: Sunday 6:30pm-8pm (12 classes); First class on October 1, 2023 

Where: St. Monica Parish - Church/Donovan Hall

Mandatory Orientation for parents: October 1, 2023, 6:30pm-7:15pm

FRESHMEN PARENTS ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO WATCH THIS VIDEO


SOPHOMORE PROGRAM

Sophomore: Chosen - Part One of the Journey to Confirmation (Ascension Press)

When: Sunday 6:30pm-8pm (12 classes); First class on October 1, 2023

Where: St. Monica Parish - Church/Donovan Hall

Mandatory Orientation for parents: October 1, 2023, 6:30pm-7:15pm


JUNIOR YEAR CONFIRMATION PROGRAM

When: Sunday 6:30pm-8pm; First class on October 8, 2023

Where: St. Monica Parish - Church/Donovan Hall

Mandatory orientation for parents: October 8, 2023, 6:30pm-7:15pm

Mandatory Retreat for Confirmation December 16, 2023 at St. Monica

Confirmation: Thursday, May 16, 2024 7pm @ St. Eugene (5:45pm Rehearsal for Sponsors & Candidates)

Confirmation Requirements:

At least one parent must attend our Orientation or make an appointment with Joyce Swietlik.

In the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Confirmation is celebrated at approximately the age of 16 or when candidates are in the 11th grade.

We ask that students (and their families) are striving to commit to their faith in an authentic way by developing regular prayer habits, attending Mass regularly, and have a desire to continue to grow within the Catholic Church.

Parents may decide for their children that they will be instructed for Confirmation, however, the decision to be confirmed rests with the young person. The Candidate must be willing to take ownership of their faith and their commitment to the preparation and make the final YES to being confirmed.

Candidates agree to be present and to be an active participant in their small group, during prayer, discussions, and talks.

Candidates agree to be ON TIME! They are expected to be present for the entire class. 

Candidates need to choose a Sponsor and commit to meeting with them at least three times which includes attending a Sponsor Night together.

Candidates agree to attend the STME Confirmation Retreat or an approved alternative.

Candidates agree to doing a minimum of 5 service events. At least 2 of these events must be in service of the Parishes.


YOUTH MINISTRY VOLUNTEERS AND SMALL GROUP LEADERS

Teens are awesome and amazing to work with and it is more important than ever to make ourselves available to them. If you are feeling called to help our Youth, please reach out to Joyce Swietlik to find out more information. The benefits are heavenly! Plus we have a lot of fun and share many laughs along the way. There are many ways you can help out. If you would like to become a Small Group Leader we have training videos and guides that are incredibly helpful and the curriculum is well laid out for you. As a Small Group Leader, you will also receive free tuition for all the children in your family. If leading a group is not your calling, we have other ways you can help so please reach out!


SAFE ENVIRONMENT

St. Eugene and St. Monica Parishes are committed to providing a safe environment for all. In compliance with the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, all volunteers over the age of 18 MUST attend a (free, one-time) Safe Environment Education Session, pass a criminal background check and read and sign the Code of Ethical Standards for Church Leaders.

In addition, it is our goal to have ALL parents attend this class to increase awareness and safety. This would also qualify parents to volunteer with child and youth ministry in any capacity. To register for a class, please go to www.archmil.org/offices/safe-environment.htm