Ascension’s Youth Ministry Program Bringing Life and Faith to the Hearts of Our Young People

There is just something wonderful about the slower pace of summer! Especially after a year filled with change and uncertainty, there is a unique feeling of relief that comes with the end of another school year, with students most certainly ready for a bit of a break. And while summer plans may look a little different this year, we hope that our parish’s Youth Ministry Program, or Youth Group, will still be on your list. Youth Group is a parish program designed to help our young people, both middle school and high school students, to grow in their faith in fun and engaging ways.

“Youth Group is a great way for young people to learn about their faith because the program allows students to see that our lives as Catholics are not supposed to be based on head knowledge only,” says Blane Schriock, our Director of Faith Formation. “It shows to young people that our relationship with Jesus in the Catholic faith is truly a living and breathing relationship that we choose to live out by the grace of God, every day.”

A bit different from typical Faith Formation during the year, Youth Group includes a variety of different activities, including games, faithbased lessons, devotions, potential mission trips, and more. The program is tailored to the needs of young people, providing opportunities for engagement and hands-on learning.

“For many students, a life of faith seems kind of stagnant and repetitive,” Blane says. “Youth Group allows them to realize that a life of faith is vibrant, dynamic, alive, and is the greatest adventure that the human heart could ever embark upon.”

For Blane, the heart of Youth Group is creating an environment that invites young people to come to know God and be given the tools to deepen their relationship with Him.

“The main goals for Youth Group this year, what I hope the youth will take away from it, is that they are called to not only have a relationship with God, but are always called to grow closer to God by deepening their relationship with Him and one another,” Blane says.

Volunteers are needed to help in a variety of different roles during Youth Group events. Blane hopes that parishioners will consider how they can use their unique gifts to share their faith and serve the young people of the parish, knowing that their own faith will be enriched, as well.

“Whatever your gifts and talents may be, there is always a place for anyone to volunteer with Youth Group,” Blane says.

Blane encourages parents to give their middle and high school students the gift of support in faith, through opportunities like our new Youth Ministry Program. In a world with so much upheaval, there is inestimable value to helping children know the one who holds it all in His hands.

“Giving our young people a foundation of faith is so important especially in times when so much of life is uncertain, because it shows our youth that we always have a cause for hope,” Blane says. “If we look around at our world today, we see a society and culture that is filled with worry, despair, and a lack of hope — all of which sucks the joy out of our hearts. A foundation of faith allows young people to see that there is a cause for hope and that their lives can still be joyful through both the good times and the bad.”

Both students and adults alike can volunteer to coordinate various aspects of the program, such as leading groups of students, arranging and assisting with activities, planning events, giving input, etc. Those who wish to volunteer should attend the first “Youth Group Core Team” meeting on Wednesday, May 19, at 6 p.m. in the Parish offices. Youth Group nights for both middle school (6-8) and high school (9-12) students in the summer of 2021 will be held on alternating Wednesdays. The first high school Youth Group night will be held on Wednesday, June 2, from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. The first middle school Youth Group night will be held on Wednesday, June 9, from 6 p.m.-9 p.m.

If you would like more information and updates on our new Youth Ministry Program at Ascension, or if you would like to volunteer, please contact Director of Faith Formation Blane Schriock at 701-258-5692 or bschriock@ascensionbismarck.org.