Youth Ministry

Our Youth Ministry program strives to reach teens and young adults by helping them learn about their faith and apply it to their everyday lives. Our ministry encourages them to discover their unique, God-given gifts and use them in our parish community and the universal Catholic Church. It provides opportunities for individual spiritual growth and development.

UPDATE Volunteer Requirements

Faith Formation

Freshman Experience

Freshman Experience is an opportunity for high school Freshman from St. Cletus to meet and continue their faith journey together through formation, service, and retreats. This is a FREE experience, which meets monthly at St. Cletus Parish. It is never too late to register! Contact the Youth Ministry Office with any questions.

Alpha Youth Series

Alpha Youth is an opportunity for high school teens, at all points on their faith journey, to come together to share their faith with one another. We will be collaborating with Saint John of the Cross to plan and present Alpha Youth to our teens. Sessions will begin in January – all are welcome!
Service Opportunities

Parish & Community Service Opportunities

Service opportunities are offered for teens who enjoy sharing their time in serving their community. Occasionally this service takes place in parish life, but most frequently teens are invited to answer a need within their local community. In the past we have visited with residents in a nursing home, volunteered at Feed My Starving Children, prepared and served dinner for guests at the Ronald McDonald House, and put together sack lunches for the homeless. Opportunities also exist if you want to be a part of the planning, both through Youth Ministry and our Social Concerns Ministry.

Summer Service

Each summer, we alternate between a “Week of Service” and a Mission Trip out of state. Our week of service is open to teens ranging from outgoing 8th grade students to outgoing high school seniors. During our week of service, we volunteer at organizations in the Chicagoland area, learning about the mission of each organization as we serve. Our Mission Trips take us out of our own community to serve one unfamiliar to us, usually in another state. For more information, contact the Youth Ministry Office.

Retreats

Freshman/Sophomore Retreat

The Freshman/Sophomore Retreat a retreat offered jointly by St. Cletus Parish and St. Francis Xavier Parish for high school freshmen and sophomores.  It is a two-night retreat that takes place in the winter, as a time to reflect on how life is going, to become closer to God and to others, and to make new friends. The retreat is held at a retreat center and is led by a team of adult volunteers as well as older teens who have attended the retreat in the past.

Kairos Retreat

Kairos is a retreat offered to high school juniors and seniors through the combined efforts of St. Cletus, St. Francis Xavier, and St. John of the Cross parishes. The retreat is offered three times each calendar year. Kairos is a 4-day retreat that allows you to build new friendships as well as to deepen current relationships, and to learn more about yourself and your connection with God, while having an unforgettable experience.

Upcoming Kairos Retreats:

Fall: November 14-17thFall Kairos – Retreat Registration

Spring: March 12-15th – Registration will open in January.

Fellowship

Youth Council

Have ideas for events we can program for our youth here at St. Cletus? Want to help choose service opportunities, our Week of Service and Mission Trip sites? Join our NEW Youth Council! We will meet monthly to program and plan events for our Parish teens. This is great leadership experience, and a fantastic way to give back to the Parish, and your peers!

Church League Basketball

Do you love to play basketball or just want to play with your Cletus friends? Church League Basketball exists just for you. For boys who are not playing for their school teams, the season takes place from November-March, with practices and games weekly. The season for girls takes place March-May, so even if you do play on your girls’ basketball team at school, you are still eligible for Church League. Parishioners must play on their own parish’s teams.

2023 Church League Registration – BOYS

Prayer & Worship

Teen Choir
The Teen Choir sings approximately twice per month at the Saturday 5:00 p.m. mass, with an occasional appearance at the 11:00 a.m. mass on Sunday morning. Rehearsals are at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. High school students will enjoy singing more contemporary music; additional instrumentalists would also be welcomed. All Teens are welcome to join! For more information, contact our Music Minister, Karen Ziemba.
Lectors, Ushers, and Extraordinary Ministers of Communion
If you are interested in strengthening your faith by participating in a deeper way during the Liturgy, consider serving as a lector, usher, or Extraordinary Minister of Communion. For training details and more information, contact our Worship Coordinator, Paulette Bolton.

Registration is ALWAYS open!

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Adult Volunteers

We are always looking for adult volunteers to assist with Youth Ministry. Opportunities abound for all interests! We are in need of Church League coaches, retreat team members, Mission Trip chaperones, formation group facilitators, Youth Council participants, and special events planners. Contact Youth Ministry and see also Volunteer Requirements.

Youth Ministry Office

MaryClaire Zurowski, Coordinator of Youth Ministry

Youth Ministry Office – 708-215-5419
Stay informed on the latest updates and events by liking St. Cletus Youth Ministry  on Facebook and Instagram!
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