About

Holy Spirit Catholic Church Youth Ministry is comprised of a couple of different programs and a variety of paths to getting youth involved in the parish community. The goal of the HSCC Youth Ministry is to help our young people to become rooted in their faith and identity in Christ and to develop skills and practices for lifelong discipleship.

Youth Group Program

The most well-known of our programs is our Youth Group program. Youth Group is a place for teenagers to learn about and grow in their faith and community with one another. The High School youth (9th-12th grade) meet on Sunday evenings from 6:00-8:00 pm. Click here for a schedule for high school meeting dates. The middle school youth (7th & 8th grade) meet on Wednesday evenings from 6:00-8:00 pm. Click here for a schedule of Middle School meeting dates.

Small Group Program (NEW)

Holy Spirit Youth Ministry now offers an additional program for high school students called Small Groups. These groups are approximately 4-8 teenagers (generally of the same gender) who meet regularly to discuss and learn about their faith. The purpose of the Small Group program is to provide a more individualized ministry to the teens of our parish. Furthermore, the goal is to help teens take the next step into deeper faith and personal relationship with Christ while also growing closer to their peers. Each group will be led by TWO adults who have been safe environment certified and completed & passed a background check. In addition, Small Group leaders are required to meet with the Youth Minister regularly for personal spiritual formation and direction on how to lead these groups. Here are a few more details/expectations about these groups.

Small groups will…

Will have a meeting period beginning October 13^th and ending May 3^rd.
Will meet once a week for approximately one hour at the church
Days/times/location can be negotiated with the Youth Minister based on the needs of the individuals in the group
Will meet at least THREE times per month
The fourth week of the month is designed for a fun group activity (e.g., Small group gathering outside the church, Youth Group attendance as a group)
Will have weekly communication with the Youth Minister about attendance, learning materials, & discussion topics through the Small Group leaders.
Members will have open line of communication with the Youth Minister about the progress, opinions, expectations, and successes/failures of the Small Group program.

*Note that the Youth Group and Small Group programs serve different purposes and therefore are not intended to be mutually exclusive.

Youth Mass

Holy Spirit Youth Ministry offers a Youth Mass monthly as a way for teens to worship with their peers and practice their liturgical ministry skills. If you are interested in serving in a liturgical ministry in our parish, this is a great way to begin feeling comfortable with ministering at Mass and to do it alongside your peers! Please contact Allison to set-up a time to be trained in a liturgical ministry. If you are already trained in a liturgical ministry at Holy Spirit, please sign up to serve at our monthly Youth Masses using our Sign-Up Genius; CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP (link not yet available)!

Downloadable Youth Mass Schedule 2019-2020 (link not yet available)

Please contact Allison Steen-Baker (via email: allison@holyspiritcatholic.org) if you would like to get involved in our Youth Ministry or simply fill out our Registration Packet to sign up!

Upcoming Events

Downloadable Youth Ministry Reg Packet 2019-2020

Downloadable Calendar for Youth Group Meeting Dates

I still need ONE ADULT MALE CHAPERONE. Please contact me ASAP if you are interested…50% discount for adults. Scroll down to the NCYC section below for more information or contact Allison.

Retreats, Mission Trips & Youth Conferences

Each year our parish attends a number of National and Diocesan youth events (held outside of the Holy Spirit campus). Below are descriptions and general information for each. Dates will be posted as they are released by the organization responsible for the event.

Owensboro Diocesan Youth Conference (ODYC)

This gathering is all of the Fun and Faith of the big bi-annual conference but without the travel, cost and crowds. This event gets bigger and better every time and will be attended by over 500 youth from all over the Diocese. In 2018 it will be held in Owensboro, KY at the Owensboro Convention Center. Accommodations will be at a local parish in Owensboro. This event is for 7th – 12th graders.

2020 Dates Not yet released

Cost – $50 (due at Registration)

Required forms: FORM C, Form A, Form D3–

ODYC Webpage

Brochure & Schedule 2018

Parent Flyer 2018

*If you have filled out the Form A & Form D3 for the current academic year, you do not need to do so again.*

Christmas Camp – Gasper River Catholic Retreat Center

Every December 29th to January 1st, current 8th graders and high schoolers are invited to attend Christmas/New Year’s Camp. It’s a great way for 8th graders to meet kids they’ll be going to Camp Life with next summer, and for High School Campers to reconnect with old friends. This camp is much more laid back than summer camp; campers still do all the activities, celebrate the Sacraments, and have Adoration, but with a more relaxed atmosphere. This is a great way to end one year, and begin the next! There are still spots available, so please register ASAP!

Gasper River Website

2019 Dates not yet released

Cost – $50

Diocesan Youth Retreat (new) – The Lazarus Retreat

The Lazarus Retreat is a brand new experience for our Diocese. It is a short weekend designed to inspire discipleship and ignite one’s own faith! There are only 5 spots available for our parish and it will be held at Gasper River Catholic Retreat Center. This event is for highschool students; preference will be given to seniors.

Diocesan Youth Retreat Webpage

February 2020 Dates not yet released

Cost – $50 (due at registration)

Lazarus-Retreat-Registration-Form , Form A , Form D3 – Due:

*If you have filled out the Form A & Form D3 for the current academic year, you do not need to do so again.*

Youth 2000

Youth 2000 is a yearly conference sponsored by the Marian Shrine Committee. This is held on the campus of Brescia University in Owensboro, Ky. This has been a long standing and very popular weekend excursion into an intimate weekend with Christ and his sacraments. This is a great local and inexpensive conference to attend. Parents are welcome and encouraged to attend. Accommodations will be in a local hotel. This event is for people age 13 and older. Parents attend at a discounted rate ($60). Youth 2000 Info/Schedule of Events.

Youth 2000 Webpage

March 2020 Dates not yet released

Cost – $120 (full/partial scholarships available)

Youth 2000 -Registration-Form 2019, FORM C, Form A, Form D3 – Due:

Catholic Heart Workcamp

Catholic Heart Workcamp is a mission camp designed to give teens an opportunity to encounter Jesus through service. It is a fun week of hard work and prayer. Days begin & end with program and for the majority of the day teams travel out to the surrounding area to help with refurbishing homes and working with the disadvantaged. The week ends with a fun day at a local attraction or amusement park. Pre-Registration is required for this event. Fundraising & Scholarships available. This event is for 9th graders (as of fall 2019) & older.

CHWC Website

2020 Dates not yet released

Cost – $500 ($100 pre-registration, remaining balance due April 1st)

Downloadable Pre-registration 2020 – Due:

*Only 20 youth slots available so turn in your $100 pre-registration soon!*

Christian Leadership Institute (CLI)

The Christian Leadership Institute is held every year at the Mt. St. Joseph Retreat Center on the grounds of the Ursuline Sisters monastery near Owensboro. This is a conference meet for leaders and potential leaders in the church. It is an intensive week of activities meant to strengthen leadership potential among the young church. This is for a small select group of individuals that wish to use their God given gifts to lead the church in the future. This event is for rising sophomores through seniors in highschool and is open by application or invitation from the parish.

CLI Webpage

June 23-28, 2019

Cost is $275 (due at registration)

Downloadable Registration Packet (available soon) – Due:

One Bread One Cup

This conference is a special and unique conference presenting topics and tracts focus on liturgical arts and liturgical ministries. This is the perfect conference for those who are interested in Liturgical Ministries or who are musically inclined. This conference is for high school students and offered by invitation or nomination only. Donations are welcome to defray this investment in the young church!

OBOC Website

July 6-10th

Registration online through St. Meinrad (available by invitation email only)

If you would like to be considered for a scholarship, please contact Allison (allison@holyspiritcatholic.org)

National Catholic Youth Conference

This conference is a HUGE event that happens every other year (odd number years) usually in Indianapolis, IN during the month of November. This experience is unique and well-known for providing Nationally known speakers and performers and a inspiring experience of 20,000 members of the young church gathered as one for Mass, Adoration, and prayer. This conference is for high school students.

NCYC Website

November 21-23, 2019

Cost – $500 ($50 pre-registration due by 6/16, remaining balance due Sunday, November 17th, 2019)

Pre-Registration Form 2019 – Due: Sunday, June 16th, 2019

Downloadable Registration Packet (available soon) – Due: Sunday, August 18th, 2019