Youth Ministry

Youth Group
St. Ann's Senior High Youth meet usually twice a month, from September through May, 7-8:30 PM. All senior high teens are invited to participate in 90 minutes of games, prayer, learning and food.
Each time we come together, we learn something about out faith, through Scripture and through the teachings of our Church.

Throughout the year, we've planned activities and opportunities to grow in faith together. Here's a sampling:

Shalomfest - is the annual fall high school retreat held the first or second weekend in October (October 6 th , 2007 is the date to circle on your calendar!) at beautiful Camp Shalom located outside Maquoketa, IA., overlooking the scenic Maquoketa River. Besides the stunning vistas, retreat participants engage in adventure activities, like the climbing wall, low ropes course, hiking, canoeing, and group building games. We always take time for prayer and share in a Eucharisitc celebration amidst the peaceful setting of camp.
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Service and Outreach - Throughout the year, St. Ann's Youth take time to serve those the Gospel teaches us to reach out to. We have worked with Humility of Mary Housing, served the Thanksgiving Dinner at the Friendly House, also served lunch and dinner at Café John Lewis, and participated in the Souper Bowl of Caring.
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Mission Trips - Since July of 2003, the youth of St. Ann's have participated in summer service immersion experiences, where we learn about the importance of serving others by actually serving others! Through prayer, reflection, and direct service, we incorporate work, fun, and Catholic Social Teachings into a weeklong service experience.
In 2003, we worked on the Rosebud Reservation in Mission, South Dakota. During the summers of 2004 and 2005, we headed to David, Kentucky, and worked with the staff at the David School. Mission 2006 took us to Bay St. Louis, where we worked with Young Neighbors in Action. While we were based in Mississippi, we spent much of our time working in New Orleans, assisting with the massive job of gutting homes damaged by Hurricane Katrina. The summer of 2007 takes us back to New Orleans, this time working with Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New Orleans through the Operation Helping Hands outreach.
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Prayer and Liturgy - St. Ann's teens are invited and encouraged to participate in prayer and liturgy. You will find our youth involved as lectors, cantors, ushers, greeters and Eucharistic ministers.

During their senior year, teens come together with other teens from the North Scott area to plan an interfaith Baccalaureate Service at the high school in May. Seniors also are recognized at the Graduation Liturgy, which is held the morning of North Scott's Commencement.
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Confirmation - is offered to St. Ann's teens during their 11 th grade year.
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Breakfast Club - is an ecumenical devotions group that meets on Tuesday mornings at Faith Lutheran Church in Eldridge before school during the school year. It's great food, good company, and a devotion to get your day started right!
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National Catholic Youth Conference - The National Catholic Youth Conference is an exciting, biennial three-day experience of prayer, community, and empowerment for Catholic teenagers and their adult chaperones. The schedule includes keynote addresses, concurrent and workshop sessions addressing a wide variety of topics. There are also opportunities for liturgy, reconciliation, prayer and worship, recreation and special activities such as concerts, exhibits, and the interactive thematic park. The next conference is November 8-10 in Columbus, Ohio.
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Social- Throughout the year there are times we just gather for the fun stuff - hayrides, "haunted housing", ski trips, and Six Flags. Plans are underway for a summer trip to Noah's Ark Waterpark in the Wisconsin Dells in 2007.
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The Diocese of Davenport also has opportunities for youth:

1. Youth Rally - This is an annual gathering of the Catholic youth from around the Diocese of Davenport. Over 900 strong, the rally features nationally know keynote presenters, workshops for teens, food, games and activities, and a dance.
2. Catholics in Action - is a three day service opportunity designed to teach young people about the needs for direct service, give them the opportunity to work with people in need, and then reflect on the needs of people in their own communities. The Catholics in Action process includes work, prayer and reflection, journaling, recreation and social time. Teens attend as a parish team, working and learning together.
3. CLI - Christian Leadership Institute - is a statewide institute held twice during the summer months for developing youth leadership within the parish and their communities.

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Links (Here are some cool Catholic sites!):
DaVinci Code - PowerPoint presentation
Disciples Now - http://www.disciplesnow.com/
Daily Prayer - http://www.sacredgateway.com/default.asp#
Diocese of Davenport Youth Ministry - http://www.davenportdiocese.net/Youth%20Ministry/index.phpl
Young Neighbors in Action - www.youngneighbors.org
Medical Release/Parental Permission Form - Adobe PDF file
National Catholic Youth Conference - http://www.nfcym.org/ncyc/2007/index.php
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