Catholic Youth Apostolate

CYC Sports Promotes Christian Values Through "Random Acts of Sportsmanship"

AnnWidner@archstl.org — Wed, 23 May 2012 20:55:35 +0000

As part of the Catholic Youth Apostolate, the CYC Sports Department takes pride in its long tradition of providing children throughout the St. Louis area with opportunities to compete with their parishes and friends in a variety of sports. For over 50 years the CYC has sponsored archdiocesan playoffs, recognizing league, district and area wide champions.

Last year the CYC started a program called Random Acts of Sportsmanship (RAS). We asked any parent, coach, spectator or player to simply report any and all outstanding acts of sportsmanship they witnessed during a CYC game. These are acts that we want to encourage all our participants to display every time they take the field or court. In addition to recognizing winners of games, we feel it is imperative for the CYC to search for and recognize Acts of Sportsmanship at our athletic events. As a Catholic organization we must train our children to display Christian values in all parts of their lives, especially during athletic competition.

A recent Random Act of Sportsmanship…

On Saturday, May 12th, Jacob Benshoff, a ten year old runner for St. Joan of Arc, was in the middle of the 200 meter race at Bishop DuBourg High School in the CYC Track Meet when he noticed a runner in an adjacent lane had fallen and was not getting up. Most kids would have jumped over him and kept going, but not Jacob. He stopped to help this runner from another team. He wanted to be sure he was alright. By stopping, he lost any chance of finishing at the top of his heat. What a wonderful display of sportsmanship and compassion. He may not have won the race, but he is at the top of the heap when it comes to sportsmanship! Congralations, Jacob!!

To report a Random Act of Sportsmanship you've spotted at a CYC event, email Buzz Swanston at buzzswanston@archstl.org. Remember, a RAS can be performed by anyone, including players, coaches, officials, and even fans! To read about other recent Random Acts of Sportsmanship, please see these stories on the CYC website.

Catholic Youth Apostolate

The Office of Young Adult Ministry Presents Theology on Tap

AnnWidner@archstl.org — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:11:49 +0000

St. Louis Young Adult Theology on Tap, a monthly event sponsored by the Office of Young Adult Ministry, is an invitation for young adults (21-35) to learn more about their faith and serves as a springboard to creating a Catholic young adult community in the Archdiocese of St. Louis.

STLYA Theology on Tap features dynamic speakers from St. Louis and around the country and a time to break down the message over the beverage of your choice. Join us the second Tuesday of every month at Kirkwood Station brewing at 7pm for this great event.

For more information about STLYA Theology on Tap, contact Brian Miller, Director of Young Adult Ministry, at (314) 792-7083 or email brianmiller@archstl.org.

Catholic Youth Apostolate

Catholic Boy Scouts & Venture Scouts... Save the Date for Encounter Weekend 2012

AnnWidner@archstl.org — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:28:24 +0000

Attention Boy & Venture Scouts... Come and experience a weekend of camping and outdoor fun with friends, challenging games, hiking, and Activity Stations in the woods. Enjoy AWESOME Live Praise and Worship Music, and participate in Eucharistic Adoration and Reconciliation on Saturday evening. The weekend concludes on Sunday with an Outdoor Mass & breakfast.

When: September 21-23, 2012

Where: Beaumont Scout Reservation

Theme for 2012: “JC Universe – Encounter the Hero Within”

For more Information, visit the Encounter Weekend page of the Office of Catholic Scouting's website or call the OCS at (314) 792-7608.

Comments from Scouts about Encounter Weekend 2011:

It was very moving to see so many youth participating in events and clearly not afraid of expressing their faith and their love for God!

It helped me come closer to God and not be afraid to speak up about my faith.

It’s just fun coming out and connecting to God!

Catholic Youth Apostolate

Pilgrimage to Brazil for World Youth Day 2013

AnnWidner@archstl.org — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:26:55 +0000

There is still time to sign up for the Catholic Youth Apostolate's trip to World Youth Day in Rio De Janiero, July 2013. If you are interested in attending, reserve your spot today by contacting Brian Miller, Director of the Office of Young Adult Ministry at brianmiller@archstl.org, or Tom Lancia of the Office of Youth Ministry at tomlancia@archstl.org . Don't miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to see Pope Benedict XVI in one of South America's most beautiful cities! For more details, visit the World Youth Day page of the OYM website.

About World Youth Day:

WYD is open to all young people (16-35) who want to take part in a festive encounter with their contemporaries centered on Jesus Christ. This event is an opportunity to experience in first person the universality of the Church, to share with the whole world the hope of many young people who want to commit themselves to Christ and others.

World Youth Day is a unique way to deepen your faith and grow closer to Christ, by means of prayer and the sacraments, together with thousands of other young people who share your interests and ambitions.

Catholic Youth Apostolate

OYM to Sponsor Presentation for Youth Ministers on Teen Depression and Suicide

AnnWidner@archstl.org — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 20:50:55 +0000

Did you know…

• 1 out of 8 youth, age 15-24, suffer from depression
• 90% of suicides are linked to mental illness, which is treatable
• We lose more young people to suicide than the combined top 6 medical causes of death

The Catholic Youth Apostolate’s Office of Youth Ministry will be hosting a presentation on adolescent depression and suicide lead by CHADS Coalition for Mental Health. The presentation will help youth ministers and adult volunteers learn to recognize symptoms of depression and warning signs of suicide in children and teens, as well as about treatment and therapy resources, coping skills and appropriate ways to address the topic with young people.

Youth ministers are invited to attend one of two presentations on Tuesday, April 24^that 2:00 pm or 7:00 pm. The presentations will last approximately 90 minutes, leaving 15 minutes for questions. The same material will be covered at both presentations.

For more information, visit the Events Page of the OYM website. To RSVP or for questions, contact Tom Lancia at tomlancia@archstl.org or 314-792-7618.

Catholic Youth Apostolate

Project Life - Feet Washers Unite!!

AnnWidner@archstl.org — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 14:56:29 +0000

Every year the Catholic Youth Apostolate's Office of Youth Ministry takes a week in June to serve those in need with over a hundred teens from around the Archdiocese of St. Louis in an event called Project Life. This summer, Project Life will be taking place from late Sunday, June 10^th to Saturday morning, June 16^th. Throughout the course of the week, teens (a.k.a. “Feet Washers”) come to know and recognize Jesus Christ in themselves and in the people they serve. Through powerful programming, hard work, sharing in the Sacraments, and great music, Project Life has given many youth groups and teens awesome experiences.

This year we will be serving the St. Louis area and staying at Ursuline Academy (341 Sappington Road). We are excited that Ursuline Academy has welcomed us onto their campus. With two gyms, showers, cafeteria, beautiful chapel, and much more, it will greatly serve our needs for the week!

If you would like to join us this year for Project Life, Online Group Registration is now open! Please visit the OYM's Project Life page for more information, or if you have any questions about Project Life, please contact Tom Lancia at tomlancia@archstl.org or 314-792-7618.

Catholic Youth Apostolate

Pilgrimage to Brazil for World Youth Day 2013

AnnWidner@archstl.org — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 17:32:53 +0000

The Catholic Youth Apostolate is excited to announce that its Office of Youth Ministry and Office of Young Adult Ministry are organizing a trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for World Youth Day (WYD) in July of 2013. The pilgramage will be from July 21 through July 29, 2013, and the cost will be $3500 per person.

The theme for WYD 2013 is "Go and make disciples of all nations" (Mt 28:19). This is going to be a powerful pilgimage that will join countless other Catholics from around the world to see and hear our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI.

On March 13, 2012 there will be two informational meetings for anyone interested in attending the pilgimage (youth group leaders, parents, young adults, etc.) Both meetings will be held at the Cardinal Rigali Center in the Sr. Ebo Room. The meetings will be held at 1 pm and 7 pm; both will cover the same information and will be no longer than an hour.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Kathleen McGovern at (314) 792-7628 / kathleenmcgovern@archstl.org or Tom Lancia at (314) 792-7618 / tomlancia@archstl.org, and young adults can contact Brian Miller, the Director of Young Adult Ministry at (314) 792-7083 / brianmiller@archstl.org. More information can be found on the World Youth Day page of the OYM website.

Catholic Youth Apostolate

Teens Invited to XLT, Monthly Prayer Event

AnnWidner@archstl.org — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 20:28:00 +0000

Once a month teens from all over the Archdiocese come together for an awesome night of prayer called "XLT." XLT stands for "Exalt" and this program was created as an opportunity for teens to gather in community before the Blessed Sacrament.

Over the years XLT has expanded to upwards of 200 teens and young adults gathering each fourth Thursday of the month from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall at St. Catherine Laboure for a night filled with talented musicians, speakers, Reconciliation, and of course, Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.

Many youth ministers and leaders help organize and facilitate these monthly prayer events, which allows for a variety of teens from all over St. Louis to join.

For more information about XLT, including upcoming dates and contact information, please visit the website of the Office of Youth Ministry.

Catholic Youth Apostolate

What Is the REAP Team??

AnnWidner@archstl.org — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 15:13:03 +0000

What is the REAP Team?

The REAP (Retreat Evangelization And Prayer) Team is a Catholic retreat ministry of the Office of Youth Ministry of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. The REAP Team consists of adults and teenagers who have been specially chosen and trained to convey the Gospel to all people, especially teenagers. Members of the REAP Team are carefully screened to see that they possess the following qualities: a personal commitment to Jesus Christ, a love for teenagers, respect for the Catholic Church, regular participation in Sunday worship, a personal prayer life, freedom from serious sin, regular reading of Scripture, and an openness to using the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

What does the REAP Team do?

Using humor, drama, skits, faith sharing, games, and music, the Team's focus is to touch young people's hearts, open their minds, and stir their souls with the love of Jesus Christ. The REAP Team works closely with the leaders of each group to whom they minister, in order to meet the specific needs of the audience. Our ministry events can be as short as one hour or as long as several days.

What is the purpose?

The purpose of a REAP retreat is three-fold. First, we strive to create an environment that will allow a young person the opportunity to experience (for the first time or in a deeper way) the personal love and call of the Lord Jesus Christ. Second, we try to give young people a positive experience of the Church through giving them the opportunity to share with other Christians who take their faith seriously. Third, we desire to help young people grow in their sense of belonging to a community of believers, especially the local Church.

How large is the REAP Team?

Each school year, there are approximately 80 - 100 members of The REAP Team. Currently, two members of the REAP Team are full-time employees, two are part-time employees, and the remaining team members are volunteers. And, although we cannot know for certain how many members will serve on a given retreat until about one week prior to the retreat date, it is estimated that on a weekend or evening there would probably be 4-5 of us, and if the retreat were on a weekday there would probably be 2-3 of us.

What is the content of a REAP retreat?

Retreats may include a wide range of topics: God's Love, Self-Image, Confirmation, Sexual Purity/Chastity, Peer Pressure, Drug and Alcohol Resistance, Obstacles to God's Love, Ways to Pray, The Power of the Holy Spirit, Christian Hope, Respect for Others, Emotional Healing, and Catholic Identity. These topics may be addressed either individually or in any combination.

Years of Experience

As of 2009, the REAP Team has presented more than 2700 ministry events, which have reached over 186,000 people with the Gospel of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We have also distributed over 97,500 True Love Waits (Chastity Commitment) Cards.

For more information about the REAP Team, including a calendar of events and some great youth ministry resources, visit their website at www.reapteam.org.