YOUTH MINISTY
At STM parish, “Youth Ministry” encompasses all activities designed and planned for youth from 6th through 12th grade. This includes Faith Formation, Youth Masses, and other special activities and events.
Our Youth Ministry programs focus on leading and bringing our youth closer to Christ through involvement and engagement with other young people in their age group, as well as other parish members. The purpose of Youth Ministry is to:
• guide young Catholics to live a Christ-centered life
• develop a trusting and positive parish community environment as they travel on their faith journey, growing in love for Jesus Christ and for love of their Catholic faith traditions
• prepare our youth to be sent out into the world to be Christ to others.
Wednesday Evening Youth Group
This class is for all youth in 6th through 12th grade. This includes our Confirmation Prep Class - YR 1 Grades 6-11 and our Youth Group Class Grades 6th-12th grade. This includes first year of Confirmation (at least 6th grade) through post Confirmation students. *
In collaboration with the STM Faith Formation staff, the Wednesday evening class will be taught by a team of Parish volunteer catechists using teaching resources from Ascension Press.
If you are a non-Catholic school attendee, please register for this Confirmation Preparation Class. Confirmation is a ONE-year program for Catholic School attendees and a TWO-year program for Non-Catholic School attendees.
Wednesday evening class meets in the Parish Office Youth Room from 6-7PM.
*Please note that, ideally, we would like to divide this group into 2 classes (one for those who have not yet been confirmed and another for those who have received the sacrament of confirmation) but we do not have enough volunteer catechists to do so at this time. We will let you know when this changes.
Please click on the link below the 2023-24 calendar/class schedule for details:
This class is for all youth in 7th through 12th grade who require preparation to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Our Confirmation Class is taught by a team of up to 8 volunteer catechists, in collaboration with the STM Faith Formation staff, using the LifeTeen Program called PURPOSE.
The goal of the St. Thomas More Parish Youth Confirmation Program is to challenge each candidate to be a witness for Christ and his Church, while determining if they are ready to receive the final sacrament of initiation, Confirmation.
This class meets on Sunday afternoons, immediately following the 10:30AM Mass, gathering in the Parish Office Youth Room from 11:45AM until 2PM.
Please click BELOW to view the 2023-24 calendar/class schedule for details:
Prerequisites to begin the Confirmation Sacrament Class:
• have received the Sacraments of Baptism and First Communion
• 7th grader or above
• have a desire to be confirmed
• have completed at least one year of faith formation classes in the year prior to beginning the preparation program
Requirements for receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation:
• Choose, and meet regularly with, a Confirmation Sponsor
• Choose a service activity and earn at least 8 hours of documented service time in the activity
• Attend High School or Middle School Youth Convention
• Attend Candidate Retreat
• Have no more than 4 class session absences throughout the year
• Attend weekend Mass every week and, specifically, Youth Mass on the second Saturday of the month at 5PM, and fourth Sunday of the month at 10:30AM.
• Participate in Lenten Stations of the Cross activity
• Parents/Sponsors attend and participate in 10 class sessions
Helpful Confirmation Program Resources:
• Confirmation Sponsor Guide
• Confirmation Sponsor Application Form
• Confirmation Service Hour Requirements/Guidelines
• Confirmation Service Hour Documentation Form
SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION SPONSOR GUIDE
Sponsor requirements, per the Catholic Church Code of Canon Law*:
*These requirements are universal and can be found in Canons 892-893 and 874 of the Code of Canon Law. There are no exceptions to these requirements.
1. *Sponsor must be at least sixteen years of age.
2. *Sponsor must be a practicing Catholic with good moral standing with the Church who attends Sunday Mass on a regular basis.
3. *If married, must be in a valid Catholic marriage (celebrated in the Catholic Church).
4. *Sponsor must have received the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation).
5. Parents cannot be sponsors of their own candidates; Godparents may be sponsors if they meet all requirements, above.
Other important and specific functions of a Sponsor:
1. A sponsor gives Christian witness to his/her candidate and prays for him/her regularly.
2. A sponsor must lead a life in harmony with the Faith, acting as a role model for the candidate, in keeping with the functions to be undertaken.
3. A sponsor understands and accepts the responsibilities of being a sponsor and has the desire and intention to fulfill them faithfully.
Documents Required from the Sponsor:
1. Copy of Sponsor’s Confirmation Certificate (or Baptismal Certificate with notations documenting First Communion and Confirmation dates)
2. If married, copy of Marriage Certificate.
3. A letter from the pastor of parish where sponsor is registered, stating that sponsor is registered, active and qualifies to be a sponsor. (Required only if not a member of St. Thomas More Parish)
Sponsor Checklist:
1. Turn in Godparent/Sponsor Application Form and certificate copies to the parish office by Friday, December 2023. You may hand deliver or mail to St. Thomas More Parish, 6511 176th St. SW, Lynnwood WA 98037, or scan and email to: violetaj@stmp.org.
2. Save the Date and add to your calendar:
TBD
SUGGESTED SPONSOR-CANDIDATE ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES- CHECK THE SPONSOR GUIDE BOOK LINK.
Thank you for serving as a Sponsor to our St. Thomas More youth candidates for Confirmation!
We pray that your role and experience as a sponsor will be an enriching one.
Confriamtion Sponsor Guide booklet
Guidelines for Confirmation Service Hours
Overview
Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation includes participation in service activities. As confirmed Catholics we are called to spread and proclaim the message of the Gospel to all those around us.
As Pope John Paul II says, we are called to be “salt and light for the world.” Our faith is shared with others not only in our daily lives of prayer and virtue, but also in the way we love those around us through our actions, our service, our commitment to bringing the light of the Gospel to people through everything we do.
The goal of St. Thomas More Parish Youth Confirmation Program is to challenge each candidate to be a witness for Christ and His Church, and to determine if they are ready to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.
CHECK THE LINK BELOW FOR SERVICE HOUR REQUIREMENTS.
Youth Masses are offered on the second Saturday of the month at 5PM and the fourth Sunday of the month at 10:30AM.
They are youth-focused as they encourage our parish youth to serve in all liturgical ministerial roles, including being altar servers, greeters/usherers, lectors, singing or playing an instrument in the choir, or serving as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.
Please contact Violeta Juzon at violetaj@stmp.org or McKayla Vu at mckaylav@stmp.org if you would like to sign up to participate in the Youth Liturgical Ministry. Training will be provided.
There are options to pay:
Online at stmp.org/youth-ministry and click the Yellow Button that says "pay here". This will take you to external link (VANCO) and pay through YOUTH REGISTRATION.
Cash or check at the parish office pay through STMP -- put it on the envelope and write your child's name and address to Youth Ministry/Confirmation.
NO ONE IS EVER TURNED AWAY DUE TO FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES.
Scholarship is also available for those who are in financial needs. Request scholarship through Faith Formation.
In order to donate to the Youth Ministry Program, please visit our Parish Home Page and scroll to the bottom or click this external link (to VANCO) and select Faith Formation: https://secure.myvanco.com/L-ZAFS/home
Your donation supports the following:
• New curriculum and program materials
• Provide scholarship for families in financial distress
• Youth Room renovation
• Refreshments and receptions
• Retreat and mission trip fees
• Catechists' appreciation
How to Volunteer?
Youth Ministry would be impossible without caring volunteers! If you want to be part of our Youth Ministry, whether you’re interested in helping regularly or one- time special event, we would love to have you on our team!
Requirements:
At least 18 years of age.
Actively practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church.
Pass Background Check
Complete VIRTUS Online training
What are the VIRTUS® programs?
VIRTUS is the brand name that identifies best practices programs designed to help prevent wrongdoing and promote "rightdoing" within religious organizations. The VIRTUS programs empower organizations and people to better control risk and improve the lives of all those who interact with the Church. To learn more about it, please click this link: https://www.virtusonline.org/virtus/.
To volunteer, please contact Violeta in the Parish Office or email violetaj@stmp.org.
To Donate to our Youth Ministry Programs
Your donation supports the following:
New curriculum and program materials
Provide scholarship for families in financial distress
Youth Room renovation
Refreshments and receptions
Retreat and mission trip fees
Catechists’ appreciation