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About / Register / Calendar / Cookies / Leadership / Retreats / Events / Summer / Confirmation / Snacks / Needs
About
Our Lady of Grace Life Teen
Life Teen at Our Lady of Grace is a high school youth ministry program designed to bring teens closer to Christ. Students from a number of local high schools come together to learn and celebrate about their faith in a relational ministry.
Life Teen International
Life Teen International is a Catholic organization that provides resources for youth ministries around the world. Life Teen creates a cirriculum that follows the catechetical guidelines established by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). This organization also offers retreat outlines, audio and visual supplements, summer conferences, and an international community of other youth programs and leaders.
Life Teen for students: http://www.lifeteen.com
Life Teen for adults: http://ym.lifeteen.com
About / Register / Calendar / Cookies / Leadership / Retreats / Events / Summer / Confirmation / Snacks / Needs
Register for Life Teen
If you are interested in registering for Our Lady of Grace Life Teen, you are welcome to join us at any time during the year. Please fill out the following three forms and return them to Stacy in the Donovan Center or to the Religious Education office with an annual fee of $50 per student. Seniors in high school are exempt from this fee but are asked to register so that they can receive valuable information and mailings. Forms are available from the Donovan Center and Religious Education office as well.
Registration Form
Media Release Form
Medical Information Form
About / Register / Calendar / Cookies / Leadership / Retreats / Events / Summer / Confirmation / Snacks / Needs
Calendar
2009-2010 Life Night Calendar
August 23 - Fall Kickoff, Carnival
August 30 - Thy Kingdom Come
September 6 - No Life Night, Labor Day
September 13 - No Life Night, J-Fest
September 20 - Let's Get This Party Started
September 27 - Give It Away Now! Again
October 4 - Serve and Protect
October 11 - No Life Night, Confirmation Formation Day
October 18 - No Life Night, High School Youth Rally
October 25 - Apples to Apples
November 1 - Maxed Out
November 8 - No Life Night, Confirmation Formation Day
November 15 - Catholics Love Sex
November 22 - No Life Night, NCYC
November 29 - No Life Night, Thanksgiving
December 6 - No Life Night, Winter Retreat
December 13 - No Place Like Home
December 20 - No Life Night, Christmas Break
December 27 - No Life Night, Christmas Break
January 10 - Attitude Check
January 17 - No Life Night, Senior Retreat
January 24 - Unshakable Faith, a Haiti Emergency Response Night
January 31 - No Life Night, Confirmation Formation Day
February 7 - Big Game Party
February 14 - No Life Night, Destination Jesus
February 21 - Vita Nox
February 28 - No Life Night, Spirit & Fire
March 7 - Global Village
March 14 - Home Front
March 21 - Big Feet
March 28 - No Life Night, Palm Sunday
April 4 - No Life Night, Easter
April 11 - Wii Love Jesus
April 18 - No Life Night, Confirmation Formation Day
April 25 - Closing Night - Office Olympics
2009-2010 Retreats & Events Calendar
September 11-13: J-Fest
October 18: High School Youth Rally
Ocotber 24-25: Box City
November 18-21: NCYC
December 4-6: Winter Retreat
January 15-18: Senior Retreat
February 12-14: Destination Jesus
February 26-28: Spirit & Fire Retreat
March 19-21: Junior Retreat
May 16: Senior Dinner
About / Register / Calendar / Cookies / Leadership / Retreats / Events / Summer / Confirmation / Snacks / Needs
Cookies
Cookies is a weekly bible study for Our Lady of Grace high schoolers. Using the Life Teen Liturgy Guide, we go over each upcoming weekend's readings and gospel. This group was started in 2009 by a group of high school seniors and has been popular ever since. Each week promises to ask real questions, bring a new understanding of Scripture, and of course, eat some cookies. Cookies is open to anyone who is able to attend!
Thursdays, 7:30-8:30pm @ Donovan Center Prayer Room
About / Register / Calendar / Cookies / Leadership / Retreats / Events / Summer / Confirmation / Snacks / Needs
Leadership
Director
Stacy Costa is in her sixth year as Director of Youth Ministry at Our Lady of Grace. Stacy is an enthusiastic leader who has established OLG Life Teen as one of the premiere youth ministry programs in the diocese. Stacy is married to Chad, her husband of 10 years, and is proud mother to Andrea, 6, and Aaron, 2.
Core Team
The Core Team is a group of adults who plan, coordinate, and facilitate the Life Teen program. In any given year, the ministry is only as successful because of the dedication of this passionate group. A Core Team member does everything from leading small groups to building sets, organizing large games to teaching students how to pray. Current Core Team Members include:
Doris Campbell
Julie Carney
Mary Doty
Kevin Dugan
Andy Erbse
Michaelene Gawaluck
Rob Hoefer
Alex Lazzara
Sue Meacham
Kathy Miller
Mary Neal
Tim Newman
Jeanine Pottridge
Joe Reel
Zig Resiak
Karen Roberts
Marc Slain
Heather VanVoorhis
John Vulanich
If you are interested in being a Core Team member, please contact
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Religious Education Staff
Becky Hampton
Elementary Religious Education Coordiator
Jake Teitgen
EDGE Junior High Ministry Coordinator
Bridges Young Adult Ministry Coordinator
Sandy Wood
Religious Education Administrative Assistant
Fr. John Zahn
Associate Pastor
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Retreats
Retreats play a large role in the Life Teen ministry at Our Lady of Grace. By giving students a chance to get away from their hectic lives and focus on Christ, faith and fellowship can truly grow.
J-Fest
September 11-13, 2009
St. Louis de Montfort, Fishers
Registration Is Closed
J-Fest is a fall diocesan retreat to kick-off the youth ministry year. Hundreds of students from around central Indiana come to hear a national keynote speaker and band. In additon J-Fest offers workshops and break-out groups for students to share and expand their faith. J-Fest also celebrates the sacraments through reconciliation, adoration, and masses. J-Fest 2009 was themed RESCUE and featured entertainment duo Popple, musical artist Sarah Bauer, emcee Mary Bielski, and our own associate pastor Fr. John Zahn as spiritual director.
Life Teen Retreat
December 4-6, 2009
Morgantown, Indiana
Cost $85
Registration is Closed
The Life Teen Retreat is open to all high school students from Our Lady of Grace. We travel to Walnut Hills Retreat Center in southern Indiana for three days. This retreat is led by the Life Teen Core Team and is designed to build the Our Lady of Grace community. This year's theme is The Suess is Loose to promote Christ's teaching to have faith like a child.
Life Teen Retreat 2009 Photos Coming Soon
Senior Retreat
January 15-18, 2010
St. Bernadette's Parish, Indianapolis
Registration is Closed
Senior Retreat is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that is the culmination of our high school youth ministry program. This 4-day retreat is always held on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend in January and is open to all high school seniors. The entire deanery participates in this Christian Awakening retreat that is a life-changing weekend. If you are a senior, you need to come on this retreat.
Destination Jesus
February 12-14, 2010
Guerin Catholic High School, Noblesville
http://www.destinationjesus.com
Registration is Closed.
Destination Jesus is a diocesan retreat experience unlike any other opportunity for students. Each year, DJ provides students with a chance to listen to national Catholic speakers and musicians, participate in prayerful adoration, and meet students from all over central Indiana.
Spirit & Fire
February 26-28, 2010
Our Lady of Grace
Registration Form Available Soon
The Spirit & Fire Retreat is for second year Confirmation candidates and their parents. The first two days of the retreat culminates the preparation process for candidates through small group discussion and witness talk from OLG Life Teen upperclassmen. The concluding Sunday of the retreat asks students and parents to participate in unique Emmaus walk and Fishbowl discussion activities.
Junior Retreat
March 19-21, 2010
St. Louis de Montfort, Fishers
Registration Form
Team Application
The Carmel Deanery Junior Retreat is a chance for junior students to grow in their faith. This simple retreat is a chance to get away from the intensity that junior year of high school brings and spend time in prayer with each other. The retreat is led by high school seniors and hosted by St. Louis de Montfort Church.
About / Register / Calendar / Cookies / Leadership / Retreats / Events / Summer / Confirmation / Snacks / Needs
Events
Carmel Deanery High School Youth Rally
October 2009
Holy Spirit at Geist, Fishers
The High School Youth Rally offers a chance for all high school students to spend an afternoon getting excited about their faith. A great speaker and musician headline this annual event open to the whole deanery. This year's speaker is Lisa Epperson and musician is Sarah Bauer.
Box City
October 24-25, 2009
Our Lady of Grace
Box City started in 2009 thanks to a suggestion from a student. High school students spend the night in a homemade "city" made entirely of cardboard boxes placed by the side of 191st St. These students are educated with facts, figures, and stories of homelessness in the United States and are immersed in the lifestyle of the homeless for one night. The night teaches social justice issuse firsthand and raises awareness of homeless for all those who drive by the church. Box City hopes to become a successful annual fundraiser for those who deal with these struggles every night.
National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC)
November 18-21, 2009
Kansas City, Missouri
Registration is Closed
The National Catholic Youth Conference is a biannual conference that hosts some 25,000 young Catholics. The location of this event varies - Kansas City is the 2009 host and Indianapolis will host the 2011 conference - but the experience is always memorable. Nearly every Catholic speaker in the country attends this event, and so the quality of keynotes, workshops, and entertainment is greater than anything else teens will witness. This trip involves extensive fundraising to offset what are usually costly hotel, travel, and food expenses. Each high school student will only get two chances to go on NCYC, so pay attention for the next opportunity!
Live Nativity
December 2010
Our Lady of Grace
For the first year, Our Lady of Grace will be hosting a Live Nativity scene for parishioners and visitors. We will need high school students to be actors, planners, and set builders. If you are interested in helping with this portrayal of the path to Christ's birth, please contact
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Way of the Cross
January through April 2010
Our Lady of Grace
Way of the Cross is currently meeting from 6:00 to 7:30pm on Thursdays in the Donovan Center!
The Way of the Cross performance is a unique event at Our Lady of Grace. High school students spend several months preparing for a performance that brings hundreds of parishioners together during the Easter season. Students will put in hard work practicing and praying for their roles in this powerful event that culminates at noon on Good Friday.
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Summer
Bethlehem Farm
June 6-12, 2010
Pence Springs, WV
Cost ~$400
http://www.bethlehemfarm.net
Bethlehem Farm is a Catholic community in Doddridge County, West Virginia, that teaches groups of young people about a way of life focused on the cornerstones of prayer, community, service, and simplicity. Each summer, Our Lady of Grace joins the Bethlehem Farm community for a week of living together, serving the local community through basic home repair projects, and building a family-like atmosphere set on living the gospel together. This is a truly unique experience for all who get a chance to experience it.
Auxier, Kentucky
Mid-July, 2010
Cost ~$300
The annual mission trip to Auxier, Kentucky, has become a favorite part of the Our Lady of Grace Youth Ministry program. High school and college students are invited to spend a week helping the community in Auxier through basic repair work. On top of the construction projects, students keep coming back for the community and prayer that define a wonderful week in Kentucky.
NDVision
June 28 - July 2, 2010
Notre Dame, IN
Cost is $350
http://vision.nd.edu
NDVision is a summer conference for high school students held at the University of Notre Dame. The conference, which is open to incoming freshmen through outgoing seniors, focuses on the theme of vocation. Students are asked to think about their calling from God and how they might respond to it. Notre Dame and Saint Mary's undergraduate students lead small group discussion and exceptional speakers come from all across the country. In addition, attendants live in student dorms, eat at the dining hall, and experience Notre Dame sacramental life.
We will either choose one of the four weeks offered during the summer to bring a large deanery group (which does not happen every summer), or you can sign up independently and attend a week on your own. Either way, make sure you spend a week at this outstanding summer conference.
Steubenville
TBD
Steubenville, OH
Cost TBD
http://www.franciscanconferences.com/
The Steubenville summer conferences are held at Fransiscan University's campus in Steubenville, Ohio. Each summer, fantastic speakers and musicians come put on this nationally reknowned retreat week for high school students. Some years we will take a group from the deanery to this conference, but every year you are welcome to sign up and go on your own. Join thousands of students who have attended this amazing experience!
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Confirmation
The sacrament of Confirmation typically is received by students in the Life Teen program at Our Lady of Grace. Sacramental preparation adds another dimension to a vivid youth ministry experience. By combining a larger youth ministry with more specific confirmation formation, students are able make a lasting commitment to their faith.
Requirements
Prerequisite for Confirmation
Candidate must attend ONE YEAR in the life of the parish, attending 70% of Life nights, attending 1 retreat and doing 15 hours of service.
Eligibility
Candidates who are in the 10th grade and have already received the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, and Eucharist are eligible for Confirmation. Prerequisite must also be met.
Formation Schedule
Preparation will take place on 4 Sundays throughout the year. Sessions begin at 10:00am and will conclude at 6:30pm. We will be attending mass as part of our day.
The dates are October 11, November 8, February 21, and April 18. May 2 is a makeup date for students who have a valid reason for missing a session.
Attendance
Attendance is required at all formation meetings as well as 70% of the year's Life Nights.
Retreats
Candidates are required to attend 3 retreats by the date of Confirmation. They do not need to be done during their formation year, (for example, one could be done a year prior).
If candidate attends a private school, one school retreat will count towards requirement. Spirit and Fire, our Confirmation retreat is mandatory and requires parent's participation. Please go to Retreats for a list of retreat opportunities.
In addition to these retreats, summer mission trips to Bethlehem Farm or Auxier, Kentucky, and biannual retreats like NCYC can be counted in a candidate's retreat requirement. Please see Events and Summer sections for more information.
Service
Service is a very important part of this Confirmation formation. Candidates are required to do 30 hours of service, 10 in Community, 10 in Home and 10 in Church. We will have opportunity to do group service projects as well as individual projects. Blank service project reports forms are available online or in the religious education office upon completion of project.
Service Report Form
Baptismal Certificate
A photocopy of the Baptismal Certificate must be submitted with your registration form. If a copy cannot be located, contact the parish office where your child was baptized. This must be turned in by October 11.
Confirmation Sponsor
The sponsor must be able to testify that the candidate is someone who wishes to be fully initiated into the Church as a believing, practicing Catholic and "helps you to fulfill your baptismal promises faithfully under the influence of the Holy Spirit whom you will have received" (Canon Law #892). The Confirmation sponsor may not be a parent. The sponsor must be a confirmed practicing Catholic who participates in the Eucharistic celebration every Sunday, and is sixteen years of age or older. Sponsors must obtain a "Sponsor Eligibility Form" which must be submitted with the registration form.
Sponsor Eligibility Form
Confirmation Name
At the beginning of the rite of Baptism, parents are asked, "What name do you give your child?" The parents speak a name. From that moment on the child is called by name. In the rite of Confirmation, the candidate for the sacrament is again called by name. The Church encourages the candidate to choose a saint's name to take at Confirmation. Whether a new name is chosen or the baptismal name is used, it is important to learn as much about the saint as possible. Resources to learn about saints can be found in the Religious Education office or Donovan Center. The Confirmation Name must be noted on the registration form when submitted to the Religious Education Office.
Confirmation Name Form
Current Confirmation Candidates
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Downloads
Our Lady of Grace Confirmation Formation Brochure
Confirmation Registration Form
Service Report Form
Sponsor Eligibility Form
Confirmation Name Form
About / Register / Calendar / Cookies / Leadership / Retreats / Events / Summer / Confirmation / Snacks / Needs
Snacks
Each Life Night has a large snack to share. Some teens sing in the choir starting at 4:00pm and stay at church until Life Teen ends at 8:30pm. This makes our parents and families who bring snacks an essential part of the program that could always use more hands!
If you would like to help bring snacks for our teens, please contact
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Needs
Youth ministry at Our Lady of Grace is occasionally the beneficiary of generous offerings from interested or involved donors. Currently, we have needs for the following donations or donation items.
Rock Band for Wii
Outdoor Patio Furniture Set
College Scholarship Fund Donations (for active graduating seniors)
Retreat Scholarship Fund Donations (for students who cannot afford retreat fees)
Air Mattresses for adult chaperones
If you would like to contribute to these or other youth ministry needs, please contact
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For more information, contact Stacy Costa at
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