Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19 On behalf of Monsignor Joe and St. Peter’s Church in Spring Grove and Father Jacek and St. John the Baptist Church of Johnsburg, we are excited to present a new combined youth group called, “Rooted”. The vision of this ministry is to invite our local youth and intentionally create disciples of Christ just as we were commissioned to do from the lips of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ himself. We aim to walk with students in growing their faith life grounded in the Word of God to create intimacy with Jesus Christ. We empower students to find within themselves their sense of belonging to God’s Kingdom, their world, their family, and themselves. Through regular participation and growth in small group settings students will feel known, loved, and that they belong. We will also offer fun social and communal events as well. In small group mentoring we disciple teens by creating a space of listening, dialogue and discussion. We create a space of invitation, meet them where they are at, move them, and lift them up to God. We achieve this by fostering a safe environment of teens to freely express their spiritual journeys while cultivating a servant’s heart dedicated to one who created them. All of our leader volunteers and chaperones have completed all Diocesan required requirements and training for working with youth including a background check. Our ministry’s goals include youth empowerment, participation, and growth in their spiritual life. Empowering adolescents to live Christian lives of discipleship helps challenge them to do what is right and to commit themselves to Jesus, and his message of charity in today’s culture. Participation in this ministry helps to revitalize parish communities with energy and hopefulness of the future. It also fills and enriches the surrounding communities with Catholic values and virtues. Promoting authentic personal and spiritual growth in adolescents fosters positive development among their social and spiritual needs and their Catholic identity. Spiritual growth can also uphold the religious development of ongoing catechesis in adolescents coming into adulthood. We desire to encompass multiple aspects of this ministry including catechetical, sacramental, social, and communal opportunities to help engage and maintain a fully rounded experience for our Church’s youth community. We encourage you to talk with your adolescent(s) and pray with them about encountering Jesus through an opportunity that looks like a youth group. If your family is interested in learning more, please use the contact information below to contact the parish office.
Call Mrs. Eldridge, DRE for details 815-385-1477 ext. 201 or send an email to [email protected]