Youth ministry is all our efforts in making church real for younger people.  Our aim is to provide a way for young people to experience God and learn to grow in faith with a relationship with Jesus and the community He established.

As life gets busier and busier it is important to take time out to relax and have fun.  Many activities/events that have been planned recently for youth have centred around games, food and pausing to thank God for the blessings we have.  These have been a heap of fun, but we’d love to have more people join us!

The youth ministry teams for Our Lady Star of the Sea and St Mark’s joined forces several years ago, building on the long-standing relationship between parishes.  This means that each group is open to members of St Mark’s parish and Our Lady Star of the Sea parish.  The Junior Youth group is also open to every student at Our Lady Star of the Sea and St Mark’s schools, building on the school/parish relationship.  In doing so, we develop our sense of church community even further. 

Antioch:

A youth to youth ministry under the guidance of a parent couple, Antioch is a place for older youth to meet regularly to develop a sense of community and  their faith, building up to leading a Weekend Retreat to share their lives and faith with other youth.  Antioch is something all young people should experience!  The Antioch ministry is currently  in recess until after World Youth Day.

Text Message:

A prayer group for youth of all ages, Text Message meets on the second Friday of each month from 8-9pm in St Mark’s Church.  By reading and discussing the readings for the coming Sunday, we are better prepared for mass, and can learn to find God’s message for us as young people today.

Youth Masses:

St Mark’s has designated the 6.30 Sunday evening mass a youth mass (except the last Sunday of each month).  A dedicated group of young musicians meet from 5pm each Sunday rostered to practice and then lead music at mass.  Others are welcome to join us, as long as you come to that practice!  Our hope is to get more members to let us split the group to then take turns to lead music for every 6.30pm mass.

Our Lady Star of the Sea also have youth masses every second 1st Sunday of the month, alternating with the Family Mass.  The youth mass is followed by Morning Tea hosted by members of the Antioch Team.

Links with Diocesan events:

We also maintain links with the Youth Ministry Support Team for the Auckland Diocese, and encourage participation in Diocesan-wide events.

Our Youth Website: www.smoss.org.nz

This very  website is for our youth and contains many features - several of which you need to be a registered member to view/participate.  So if you haven't registered yet, make sure you do so!!!

Junior Youth:

From meeting fortnightly to meeting just a few times a year, in 2006 we are planning to run an event in the middle of each term and in the middle of each holiday for those who are at primary and intermediate school.  The venue will alternate between Our Lady Star of the Sea School Hall and St Mark’s Parish Centre.

·         If you are a parent, please consider whether you can stay and assist with supervision or running these events. 

·         If you are an older youth, please consider whether you could help run these events. 

·         If you are a “junior youth”, please come along – and bring your friends.  And a gold coin to help cover the cost of afternoon tea!

Senior Youth:

We have now set up a group for those at high schools.  This group meets at St Mark's Parish Centre on the first Sunday of each month and at Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish Centre on the third Friday on each month.

·         If you are a parent – please consider whether you are willing to assist with supervision, or are able to lead some meetings. 

·         If you are in high school or a young adult, please come along and get involved!  We are trying to build a fun, faith-filled community of friends.

Small Groups:

A few places will be available for a group of older youth / young adults that would meet for a set amount of time to discuss faith issues. 

·         A small cost may be charged if resources need to be obtained for study / discussion.

Details of all group activities can be found:

• In notices in the church newsletters
• this website's calendar!