YOUTH MINISTRY: Creating Authentic Connections in Christ

There is no doubt our faith is meant to be lived in community. Jesus made this clear to us, as written in the Book of Matthew — “for where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20).

Here at the Cathedral, we have a new way for our youth to gather in Jesus’ name — the Youth Ministry program, which kicks off with a parent meeting in January. The first Youth Group is on Feb. 2.

The mission of our Youth Ministry is “to lead the youth to an intimate relationship with the Holy Trinity and foster an authentic and encouraging community through prayer, witnesses, and small-group mentorships.”

Each month will include a large-group gathering. Students will be divided by age and gender into small groups. Those groups will also meet once per month with a trained leader. The groups will, hopefully, remain together through high school and beyond.

In July 2021, Alondra Griffith took on the role of Youth Minister and secretary at the school. She grew up at St. Francis Xavier in Tulsa. Alondra has a history of working with youth and is so excited to now be walking with our young parishioners at the Cathedral. Alondra spent two years working with Wisconsin-based Spiritus Ministries. She also worked with Totus Tuus after high school. Coming home to serve the youth of her hometown is a huge blessing for Alondra. With both Totus Tuus and Spiritus Ministries, Alondra was working with youth for a short amount of time — a week or less. She is thankful to now have the opportunity to walk with youth for a longer period while building authentic relationships.

“I am really excited to see teens be accompanied on a personal level,” she says. “The way we set up our program, it’s very relational and discipleship-centered. We want youth to go deep and actually encounter the Lord.”

Alondra’s own faith life was deeply impacted by a Totus Tuus retreat in high school.

“I was forced to attend Totus Tuus, and that was about the first time that I saw young adults in love with their faith and Jesus Christ,” she says. “I was wondering what was making them so happy.”

During adoration at the retreat, Alondra realized the Totus Tuus missionaries were in love with Jesus.

“Right there I said, ‘I don’t know who You are, but I want to follow You and be Your missionary,’” she says.

Alondra and all the youth mentors are excited to get started. The adults have been through training over the past few months on telling their story, prayer, and relationships, to name a few topics.

“These adults are committing to walking with these teens in some way for the rest of their lives,” Alondra says. “I am so thankful to all of them for their commitment.”

Alondra wants parents to know the Youth Ministry program is an opportunity to supplement faith lessons being taught at home.

“It takes a village, and the parish wants to be part of that,” Alondra says. “I would tell teens to come and try it out. We want them to know that they are very loved, and there are people who really want to take care of them and walk with them.”

Alondra wed Philip Griffith a few months ago. The couple is excited to build their lives at the Cathedral and to get more involved.

If you would like more information on our Youth Ministry, please contact Alondra Griffith at agriffith@tulsacathedral.com or 918-582-0422.

Alondra Griffith serving with Spiritus Ministries

Alondra Griffith