Greetings and welcome to our Youth Ministry Website. We are extremely proud of our young people and the positive Christian works they have been involved in over the years. Please take the time to view our site and get a first hand look. And as always please keep us in your prayers!

St. Michael's /Holy Spirit CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) is Youth Ministry based.This means our teens hold leadership positions and have a hand in running all of our activities. No activity is run solely by adults. By this we give our teens every opportunity to grow in personal development as well as in Faith.

Holistic Approach
The approach to our Youth Ministry is Holistic. By this we try to plan activities throughout the year that meet the Spiritual, Individual, Community, Family and Social needs of all young Christians. We also try to encourage a better understanding of our Catholic Faith and Traditions, as well as offer opportunities for Christian Service and Outreach.

Goals
The goals of our group are to educate our teens in their faith and to supply them with the tools needed to live a positive Christian lifestyle. We also want them to be vital and active members of the Church and local communities.

Our other major goal is to teach our teens to have confidence in themselves and their abilities. We want them to learn to take responsibility for the group as well as their own personal actions.

Membership
Our programs involve over 300 High School students throughout the year. Our members come from Union High as well as the many Private and Catholic High Schools in the area.


Topic Nights
CYO meets every Tuesday night throughout the school year for topic nights. Our meetings run from 7:30-9pm in the St. Michael’s Parish Hall. Each topic night has a different theme that has to do with our Faith in Jesus, the world we live in, and the struggles of being a teenager today.
We cover such important issues as Our Catholic Traditions, Positive Self Image, Positive Relationships, Forgiveness, Sexuality, Respect, Substance Abuse, Peer Relationships, Family and much more.

We also have Guest Speakers, films and other activities.

Service Projects
Each month we offer a variety of service projects which include volunteering at the Nursing Home, Quadriplegic Center, Handicapped Children Center, Homeless Shelter and more. These activities are done on Thursday evenings and weekends. Through the year we also fundraise (Charity Basketball Games) for local charities and people in need.


Youth Leadership
Our group is run by a Core-Team of elected officers. Our leaders receive Leadership Training as well as attend monthly planning meetings. All of our activities are designed with the involvement and talents of our Core Team members. They work very hard and put in many hours into making our group what it is. We also have a team of Young Adults and College Students who help out regularly.


All teens are welcome to join our group. Members are also encouraged to bring their friends.
The involvement of parents is always encouraged and appreciated.


Youth Ministry Activities

Religious


Topic Nights
Parish Teen Retreats
Confirmation Retreats
Leadership Training Retreats
Many Faces of Jesus Retreat
Penance Services
Teaching Masses
CYO Mass
Festival of the Lights
(Christmas Presentation)
Living Stations of the Cross
(Easter Presentation)
Lectors
Altar Servers
Confirmation Peer Mentors
Religious Ed. Teachers and Aides


Community Outreach

Interfaith Council for the Homeless
Babysitting for the Homeless
Nursing Home Visits
ARC: Handicapped Children
Autistic Children
Cheshire House: Quadriplegic Center
Charity Basketball Games
Fund-Raisers for Community Needs
Crop Walk for World Hunger
Project Babies


Leadership


Core-Team Officers
Executive Board Officers
Leadership Training Retreat
Self-Identity Builders
Self-Written Speeches for Retreats
Small Group Leaders
Confirmation Mentoring
Vacation Bible School Group Leaders



Social


Ski Trip
Great Adventure
Medieval Times
Virginia Beach
Movie Nights
Christmas Dance
Broadway Show
Spirit of NJ Cruise
Coffee House
Concert/Shows
...and more!

Look Here for Important CYO Announcements. If CYO or an activity is cancelled, it will be posted here.--Phil

General CYO Meeting. Tuesday, Feb.9th. : 7:30-9pm.
Quadriplegic Center! Thursday, Feb.11th. : 5:30pm.


Confirmation Meeting with MENTORS. (No General CYO due to no School.) Tuesday, Feb.16th. : 7:00-8:30pm.
CYO Ski Trip. Friday-Sunday, Feb.19-21. : Keep us in your prayers!


No CYO Meeting. Tuesday, Feb.23rd. : We never have CYO the Tuesday after a weekend trip
CYO Guest Speakers: Hard As Nails & Justin Fatica ! Tuesday, March 2nd.: 7:30-9pm.