We know that there is a deep hunger in youth and young adults – a hunger for love, for truth, for meaning, for belonging, and for purpose that the culture alone cannot satisfy. We know that this hunger is truly satisfied in friendship with Jesus Christ, which is a friendship that leads to community in His Church, to faithful sharing of love and care for one another, and particularly those in need.
St. John the Evangelist Youth Ministry seeks to create and promote community amongst our youth. Through opportunities for prayer, reflection, fellowship and service we strive to have our youth come to know and love Jesus, and be his missionary disciples.
Middle School (7th and 8th Grade)
Younger teens need a religious education program that addresses real-life teen issues and different learning styles. These sessions are designed to have your teen participate focus on relationship-building, active participation, and sound religious principles.
High School (9th-12th Grade)
High school students are required to participate in our program at least 1 year before being prepared to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. 9th grade religious formation is considered the first year of the process.
9th grade students will explore the four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church – Creed, Liturgy and Sacraments, Morality, and Prayer – to ensure that your teen has a solid grounding in the basics of the faith.
10th-12th grade students will take a journey through the entire Catholic faith in all its richness and vitality. Teens will be captivated by the story from Creation all the way through salvation history, and they will come to see how the sacraments, prayer, and discipleship are the keys to a happy life. The formation is designed to win over the hearts of teens and make them disciples of Christ.
Sacramental Preparation – Teens (Grades 7th-12th)
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults is adapted for middle school and high school aged youth to prepare them to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation and Communion. Young people will participate in a series of classes to prepare. Contact Pablo Maldonado, 410-964-1425 x318 or pablo.maldonado@sjerc.org, to learn when the next session will be held.
Sacrament Preparation (7th—12th Grade) – If you are in middle or high school and have not yet received the Sacrament of Baptism or First Communion, please contact St. John’s. Must be enrolled in EDGE or Life Teen to participate in Sacrament Preparation.
* All programs require previous registration *
Other Youth Information
- Parent Volunteer Information
- Appalachia Service Project
- Worthy of the Call – training for youth volunteers (14-17 years old)
Young Adults
Looking to get plugged into the parish and form community with other young adults? Check out below to get more information about upcoming events.
Sacramental Preparation – Young Adults
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a faith formation process in which adults become full, participating member of the Catholic Church by receiving the sacraments of initiation – Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation. Our RCIA program and volunteers serve individuals of another faith who wish to convert to Catholicism, individuals who were baptized in another Christian denomination and wish to become a member of the Catholic faith, and individuals who were baptized in the Catholic Church, but never received the sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation. Individuals going through the process meet on Sunday mornings from 10:30am to noon.
Every week, Deacon Paul Gifford hosts gatherings for new and already-interested Inquirers. These are very informal gatherings to look at various aspects of our Catholic faith for those who aren’t ready (and may not ever be ready) to transition into the church. If you are not Catholic but might like to be – give Paul a call! Contact: Deacon Paul Gifford, paul.gifford@sjerc.org.