YOUTH MINISTRY UPDATE

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ALL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND OUR YOUTH MINISTRY GATHERINGS! OUR SESSIONS CONSIST OF FELLOWSHIP, PRAYER, AND LOTS OF FUN ACTIVITIES. CURRENTLY, WE ARE MEETING ON SUNDAYS FROM 12-1:30PM, BUT WE HAVE ADDED SOME DAYS WHERE WE WILL MEET FROM 6:30-8PM SO MORE TEENS GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND!

FOR PEOPLE TO PLAN AHEAD, BELOW IS A LIST OF UPCOMING DATES AND TIMES.

January 7 | 6:30-8pm

January 14 | NO HANG OUT

January 21 | 12-1:30pm

January 28 | 12-1:30pm

February 4 | 12:30pm Castle Mass Only

February 11 | 12-1:30pm

February 18 | 6:30-8pm POPCORN & MOVIE NIGHT!

February 25 | 12-1:30pm

March 3 | 6:30-8pm

March 10 | 12-1:30pm

March 17 | 12-1:30pm

March 24 | 6:30-8pm EASTER PARTY!

March 31 | NO HANG OUT

April 7 | 12-1:30pm

April 14 | 6:30-8pm

April 21 | NO HANG OUT

April 28 | 6:30-8pm

May 5 | 6:30-8pm TACOS & CHRISTIAN KARAOKE!

Thank You from Youth Ministry!

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THE CASTLE RETREAT IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR ST FRANCIS DE SALES CONFIRMATION PROGRAM. THESE RETREATS ARE LED BY WONDERFUL HIGH SCHOOL TEENS AND ADULT VOLUNTEERS.

TO EVERY RETREATANT AND THEIR FAMILY, THANK YOU FOR BEING SO OPEN TO THE WEEKEND AND SHARING YOUR STORY WITH US.

TO EVERY TEEN LEADER AND THEIR FAMILY, THANK YOU FOR DEDICATING A WEEKEND TO SHARING GOD'S LOVE WITH YOUR PEERS. WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR YOU!

TO EVERY ADULT LEADER WHO CHAPERONED THESE RETREAT WEEKENDS, WE TRULY COULDN'T DO THIS WITHOUT YOU.

Thank you: Traci Dahlinger, Kathy Fuell, Maria Galuppo, Lexi Hitchens, Pam Lynch, Mimi McGlauchlin, Mikey McGlauchlin, Gary Radwanski, Sara Webster, Georgia Wiersma, Bill Weismann, and Adrienne Virgilio

TO EVERY PARISHIONER WHO PRAYED FOR US, THANK YOU! THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS WITH US EVERY SECOND OF OUR RETREAT WEEKENDS.

WE CANNOT WAIT FOR OUR APRIL 15th CONFIRMATION!

MAY YOU ALWAYS HAVE EYES TO SEE GOD'S LOVE IN YOUR LIFE!

Thank you Confirmation Leaders

This two-year Confirmation program consists of monthly sessions that include great content and wonderful small group discussions. Special thank you to our Confirmation Small Group Leaders: Anne Quast, Bill Weismann, Cathy Jones, Connie Snider, Gary Radwanski, Georgia Wiersma, Karen Nolan, Rose Weismann, and Kathy Fuell.

February Castle 2023 ♥️

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sfdsym  February Castle 2023 ♥️ What a blessing of a weekend! Thank you to all our retreatants for giving this weekend a shot. Thank you leaders for sharing your love with all of us this weekend. Thank you parents who joined us for a lovely mass and for supporting our teens.

FINALLY - Thank you, God, for guiding every person that joined us and made this weekend special. Watch over us as we try to live out what we learned this weekend and maintain the wonderful connections we built. #secrettolife

ADORATION OPPORTUNITY 🤩 with @joshgoodmanmusic - Be there!!

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ALL are welcome, so invite your friends and family. We are excited to see our Peer Ministers AND Junior High teens join us with your families! Enjoy a night of music and reflection in Jesus’ presence ♥️

Never been to adoration before? Don't even know what adoration is? That is okay! We are here to help share what adoration is and why it's a wonderful way to spend time with Jesus.

⭐️ Steubenville Friends - Come and enjoy our favorite Jesus Jams from our trip!

Unplugged Fest // Paulus Park // August 7th

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Hello!!

I hope you are having a great summer. This summer, our parish is participating in the free event, Unplugged Fest at Paulus Park. We are in need of incoming 8th graders and high school students to help us with the craft we are offering at our tent. Please use the link below to sign up for one or more time slots.

If you have any questions please contact Mimi McGlauchlin at 847-726-4850.

Assistant Youth Minister Open Position at SFdS!

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High School Youth Ministry

Our High School Youth Ministry team prepares freshmen and sophomores for Confirmation and also ministers to all high school teens through youth group events and activities. The teens who have participated in our ministry in the past many years have been honest and open about sharing their faith journeys and their struggles. They have shared how they have seen God working in their lives and how God has worked through other people. 

Working with the Director of Youth Ministry in: 

  • Planning and coordinating Confirmation content and working on-site during the Sunday in-person small group meetings for our two year high school Confirmation program. 

  • Planning, coordinating and attending Confirmation & Kairos Retreats and Steubenville Youth Conference.

  • Planning, coordinating and attending Youth Group activities (currently Sundays).

We are looking for a person to bring their fresh ideas and enthusiasm in serving the high school teens in our community and parish. We are always evolving and interested in learning from the past as we look to improve our ministry in the future.

Middle School Religious Education

We serve teens in 6th-8th grade and use the Life Teen Edge program to foster their faith. Teens attend class twice a month to participate in large group activities and small group discussions. Sessions are offered on Mondays and Tuesdays in the evening.

Working with the Coordinator of Religious Education in:

  • Planning, coordinating and attending middle school Edge religious education sessions.

  • Working with the small group volunteers who facilitate the small group discussions. 

Young Adult Ministry 

  • Planning and coordinating events and activities for Young Adults within our parish and vicariate.

More Information 

During the past years, the high school and junior high teams have collaborated and helped each other in a variety of ways. We truly are better together. 

This person will also join us as part of the Mass Tech Team. We stream 9:00am Mass on Sunday & noon on Wednesday and also 1st Communion and Confirmation Masses annually.

There is an administrative staff person who is also part of this Religious Education and Youth Ministry team.

Detailing out all the specific tasks would include much more information, but the points above cover the main goals of this job. Many of the tasks have been changed in the past years to take advantage of online registration opportunities. We can be available for a conversation to answer questions anytime. 


If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about this position, please send an updated resume and cover letter to plynch@stfrancislz.org for consideration.

2022-2023 Confirmation Registration IS OPEN!!!!

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Online Registration is OPEN!

We are pleased to tell you that you do not need to drop off the packet or mail it in. If you prefer a paper registration packet or prefer to write a check or pay in person please contact Cathy Chiarelli and she can make arrangements for you. Please register asap and before August 12th.

REGISTRATION FORM

PAYMENT FORM

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Thank you for your interest in our High School two year Confirmation Preparation Program at St Francis de Sales Parish.  We desire to journey with each person to deepen their relationship with God through knowledge and understanding as well as experiences and encounters.  

Our focus will continue to be on your teen as well as your family since we are absolutely confident that your relationship with God can and will have a positive impact in your life and the life of your family. Each teen will receive a Bible and we will spend time learning more about how Sacred Scriptures can be relevant to your life.

We will have three components this year:

A monthly family session.  A link to the monthly lesson will be sent to you and your teen.  The content will include insights, ideas and truths about God and our Faith.  These lessons are intended to be discussed by the teen, parent and family.  Your teens will be asked to respond with thoughts and reactions.  The focus of these sessions will be to learn and grow together so we can deepen our understanding about God and about our relationship with Him.  (Dates - whatever works for the family) 

Monthly teen small group gathering and discussion. We will meet approximately once a month.  These small group gatherings are important for the teens to be able to connect, learn and share their insights and ideas   (Dates  TBD - most likely on Sunday mid-day)

Mass.  The Mass is an important gift of our Church and offers us all a unique opportunity to invite Jesus into our life.  The more you grow in your faith, the more important the Mass can become to your faith life. All families should attend Mass each Sunday. Our current Mass schedule:  Saturday 5pm, Sunday 6:30am, 9:00am and 11:00am.   On the days we have a small group meeting we will gather with our teens in small groups at 11:00 Mass.

Goals for this year:

  • Teens and parents have a new perspective about God and their relationship with God and are inspired to move forward on their faith journey even after these sessions are complete.

  • Your family is comfortable discussing faith, prayer and God together at home and creates your own family prayer, prayer time and/or prayer experiences.

You can use this online form to register for both 1st year or 2nd year Confirmation Preparation Sessions.

Use this Tuition link for payment: Tuition Link

Please pay before classes begin. If you cannot make the whole payment upfront, please use the partial payment section of the online form. You can contact Cathy Chiarelli at CChiarelli@stfrancislz.org to set up a payment plan.  Also, Fr Ryan can offer some financial assistance through the scholarship application process. 

This year we are able to offer online credit card payments. If you prefer to pay with a check or cash, you can drop off or mail to our Ministry Center at 135 S. Buesching Road, Lake Zurich, IL 60047 c/o Confirmation Program.

How to Pay

  1. Credit Card: Online via our payment portal (there is a processing fee attached to this). Directions for this option will be listed at the end of the registration form.

  2. Check: Please bring to the ministry center or mail it to our Ministry Center at 135 S. Buesching Road, Lake Zurich, IL 60047 c/o YM Confirmation Program.

  3. Cash: Can be brought to the ministry center or brought to the first day of class.

  4. Contact Fr Ryan regarding financial assistance.

Volunteers Needed

We are in need of adult small group leaders. Please contact Pam Lynch if you have a heart for teens, are willing to create a safe place for open discussion and are willing to share some stories from your own faith life.   The Protecting God's Children process will need to be completed. 

Thank you again for your interest in our program and for letting us accompany you in continuing with your child's education in our Faith.

Usually freshmen join as 1st year teens. If your child is joining us outside this typical time frame, please let me know. We want to help you and your child.

GOT QUESTIONS? Please contact Pam Lynch, Director of Youth Ministry
847.726.4862 //  plynch@stfrancislz.org

Congratulations to those celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation!

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Congratulations to our 83 teens and 3 young adults who are celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation this season! Most were confirmed on April 9th, 2022 with Bishop Jeffrey Grob and our Pastor Father David Ryan with Deacon Bob Arvidson.

As the two-year Confirmation Preparation continued to focus on family-based topics to be discussed at home, this year, we also had small group discussions where the teens were able to come together in-person. Special thanks to the Confirmation Small Group Leaders: Jim Bukowski, Traci Dahlinger, Kathy Fuell, Kirk Galasso, Karen Nolan, Ray Urban, Bill Weismann, Rose Weismann, and Georgia Wiersma. And a thank you to Karen Nolan who also invested in preparing our young adult men for this Sacrament.

Thank you also to all the adult chaperones who helped with the Castle retreats we held in December & February: Joe Bruno, Traci Dahlinger, Kathy Fuell, Lexi Hitchens, Katie McGlauchlin, Mikey McGlauchlin, Bill Weismann, and Georgia Wiersma.

Thank you to Josh Goodman for leading us in the music for our Masses with Emma Belew, sharing their vocal gifts with us all. Thank you to the tech team that was there to stream both Masses for family and friends - Sarah Richards, Cristina Mac Cormac, Francisca Alivia, and the many others that jumped in to help.

Our parish is very proud of all our teens and young adults. It was an honor to celebrate this important sacrament together. We look forward to continuing the journey with these young people as they grow in their faith and their relationship with God!

Caitlyn Anne Armstrong

Lauren Sarah Bailey

Lucas Anthony Bajerski

Lauren Elizabeth Beery

Ella Francis Beischer

Riley Gemma Betz

Sophie Elizabeth Ann Borst

Ethan Christopher Buccelli

Julia Ignatius Bukowski

Kieran Michael Cawley

Conner Nicholas Cognac

Meghan Catherine Cupples

Tyler Nicholas Czabaj

Michael Dominic Dizon

Matthew Christopher Drozdzynski

Anna Mary Edgcomb

Isabel Cecilia Edgcomb

Amanda Teresa Eng

Alaina Thomas More Fahey

Aidan Luigi Flannery

Lauren Jean Foraker

Kendall Catherine Freeland

Josef Thomas Gaggiano

Julia Rose Galasso

Victoria Elizabeth Gallo

Connor Padre Pio Grafrath

Olivia Catherine Of Bologna Harold

Dominic Dymphna Harold

William Charles Jokerst

David Cecilia Kalesz

Adam Joseph Ketcham

Travis Michael King

Rebecca Dorothy Klunder

Ella Sophia Knight

Allison Elizabeth Ann Koelper

Jack Michael Kopilash

Paige Catherine Kutsor

Elena Elizabeth Labuda

Morgan Elizabeth Lesniewicz

Natalia Veronica Macon

Caitlin Catherine Marino

Rylee Elizabeth Matheson

Grace Clare Mcconnell

Evan Jude Mehrholz

Maya Mary Mendocha

Jillian Katharine Michels

Emilie Saint Patricia Moorman

Courtney Sara Morrison

Andrew Dominic Savio Morton

Matthew Gabriel Nerenberg

Jason Joseph Paull

Rebecca Joan Pinedo

Lauren Monica Pinto

Eli Michael Piper

Ella Catherine Of Siena Polich

Kevin Anne Potempa

Jack Francis Of Assisi Quesinberry

Megan Michael Raube

Ashley Teresa Ribordy

Joseph Dominic Richards

Andy Dominic Ridosh

Anna Bernadette Roscoe

Charlotte Gemma Rosenbaum

Isabella Francis Runez

Nicholas Joseph Salerno

Olivia Mary Shaf

Kaitlyn Abigail Shively

Joshua Augustine Smith

Brayden John Stanovich

Presley Natalia Stellflue

Sean Christopher Sullivan

Nicole Gemma Swiatlowski

Julia Marie Taylor

Anthony Richard Tignino

Annie Rosalia Titterton

Kellen Patrick Valancius

Elaina Katharine Drexel Wendland

Olivia Catherine Wielgos

Wyatt George Wiersma

Riley Gall Wiltgen

Grant Christopher Wold

Nick Joseph Zettler

Ethan Sebastian Zurcher

Michael Francis Schumacher

Andrew Florian Cotsiamitis

Luke Philip Neri Yankoe

Congratulations to our Graduates!

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May God's blessing follow you all as you find new journeys to travel. May you walk safely along the pathways of your dreams. May His gentle hand guide the decisions you will make and the passions that you follow. May your hearts and lives always reflect His love and truth, and may hope be a light within you that you carry into each new day.

No matter what school you go to or are going to next year, we are all for one and one for all in Christ within our St Francis de Sales Parish community. We are so proud of our graduates and wish you all the best in your next chapter.

St. Viator: Sunday, May 15th @ 10am

Mundelein: Sunday, May 15th @ 3pm

Lake Zurich: Sunday, May 22nd @ 3pm

Stevenson: Friday, May 27th @ 5pm

Carmel: Friday, May 27th @ 6pm

Barrington: Friday, June 3rd @ 7pm

St Francis de Sales School: Saturday, May 28th @10am

LZMS North: Tuesday, May 24th @ 5pm

LZMS South: Tuesday, May 24th @ 7:30pm

Remember to Count Your Blessings!

Kairos Registration is OPEN!

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We are excited to announce that we have rescheduled Kairos and registration is open! This retreat is open to incoming juniors, seniors, and graduating seniors this year! Participants do not need to be Catholic to attend - All are welcome!

What is Kairos?

Kairos is a Christian experience of prayer and reflection. St. Francis de Sales Parish began hosting Kairos retreats for high school juniors and seniors in 2009. Kairos can be a powerful and life-changing opportunity for teens as they grow in their knowledge of themselves, others, and especially, God.

Good Reasons to Participate in a Kairos Retreat:

  1. Everyone needs time to reflect. This retreat offers a break from the many distractions in our lives.

  2. The Kairos retreat centers on seeing God’s love in our lives and encourages the development of a personal relationship with God.

  3. This retreat creates an open and accepting retreat atmosphere for you to experience God’s love and forgiveness and the importance of friendship and family.

  4. Maybe you don’t know if God really cares and you need to find out just how much He does.

  5. The reasons to attend are as unique as each person. Talk to past Kairos participants or youth ministry adults and ask them why they participate in Kairos!
    Masks will be worn per guidelines at the time. Teens will sleep in private rooms. The retreat will begin on Friday near 4:00pm and will conclude Monday near 7:00pm. Teens will be transported to and from St Francis de Sales on bus.

Cost: $300.00 for 4 days & 3 nights (please let us know if you need assistance).

If you are interested in Kairos but want to learn more before registering, please email us and we can connect you with someone who can answer your questions!

Steubenville Registration is OPEN!

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We are excited to announce that we are going to Steubenville and registration is open! This experience is open to all high school students.

What is Steubenville?

Steubenville Youth Conference is an event where hundreds of Catholic teens come together to experience the peace of Jesus through inspiring talks, praise and worship, and the sacraments. Teens will have an opportunity to grow closer to their peers at St. Francis de Sales Youth Ministry, as well as with teens around the nation. You will return home with memories that will last a lifetime, and knowing you are never alone.

Please watch the two videos in this email to learn more! One video is from St. Francis de Sales Youth Ministry's experience in 2015, and the second video is the trailer for Steubenville 2022 (Theme: Fearless).

Reserving a Spot:

We only have 28 spots. Availability is on a first come, first served basis and a spot can only be assigned by the submission of your registration form and check. Once all 28 spots are reserved, a waiting list will be established also on a first come basis.

Cost: $300.00 per person - Includes retreat fee, room & board, bus transportation, and group t-shirts.

What’s not covered in the fee? Meals in route (one meal each way), gift shop purchases at conference.

Please let us know if you need assistance!

If you are interested in Steubenville but want to learn more before registering, please email us and we can connect you with someone who can answer your questions!