"Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set an example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity."

St. Jude Catholic Church has a number of opportunities available for youth to get out and make friends with those who share common interests and goals, as well as a common faith: Youth Mass, Bible Study, Dead Theologians Society, Theology of the Body, Apologetics, Mexico Mission Trip, Retreats, Canoe Trips, Six Flags, the National Catholic Youth Conference, Concerts, and much more!

The Youth Ministry program at St. Jude exists for one reason: to bring teens into a good relationship with Jesus Christ. St. John Bosco, the patron saint of youth ministry, asked his youth to do only one thing for him: "help me save your souls."

The human person was designed for holiness. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that God gave man a mind, a will, and a body in order to "know, love, and serve Him" (CCC 1721). It also teaches us that God is the source of dignity and holiness; in order to function properly, we have to cooperate with Him (CCC 27).

St. Jude's Youth Ministry program seeks to help youth know, love, and serve God in their everyday lives. The more they do this, the more they will flourish as human beings. Our walk with God begins with faith and understanding, then the decision to act on that faith, and finally putting that faith into practice.

Youth Mass

St. Jude's Youth Mass - With a touch of contemporary worship music, is the flagship of the Youth Ministry program. All youth ministry begins and ends in worship of Jesus Christ in Mass. The Eucharist, which is truly Jesus, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, allows us to draw near to God so that, filled with His love, we may be strengthened individually and as a community, and go out into the world to preach the Gospel in word and deed.

We are always in need of Altar Servers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Lectors, Greeters, and Ushers.

Bible Study

Did you know God loves you? He made you a part of His family and even wrote you a letter to express how much He loves you. It's 1332 chapters long! St. Jude Bible Study is the main focus of the class portion of our youth ministry offerings. Come join the St. Jude Youth Bible Study! Bible Study is available two Wednesdays out of every month at 6 pm. See the calendar for updates.

Theology of the Body

Do you have a body? Good news! Your body is a message of God's love. Did you know that? Did you know that between visiting nations all over the world and getting in a little skiing in the Italian Alps, Pope John Paul II wrote all about sex? Starting in Fall 2008, St. Jude will be offering a version of his "Theology of the Body" specifically designed for teens. It's a program designed to help you view sexuality through God's eyes and to see how sex really is one of the greatest and holiest gifts God's given to humanity. Theology of the Body is available one Wednesday out of every month at 6 pm. See the calendar for updates.

Apologetics

Classmates attacking your Catholic faith? Want to learn how to defend it? Want to see how the Catholic faith is really Biblical? Apologetics lessons are available one Wednesday out of every month at 6 pm. See the calendar for updates.

Dead Theologians Society

Addicted to Gregorian Chant? Prefer candles to incandescent bulbs? Care to hear about miracles like incorruptibility, locution, odor of sanctity, bilocation, levitation, and more? Enjoy hearing the true exploits of the saints who know Jesus best? Dead Theologians Society is the place for you! DTS meets the first Sunday of every month after 6 pm Mass. See the calendar for updates.

Duc in Altum

Can't get enough youth ministry? Are you a "Jesus Freak?" Ever have questions that are too deep to bring up in regular youth group sessions? Duc in Altum (Latin for "Cast out into the Deep") is a group that meets the second and fourth Fridays of every month to hang out as a group and discuss daily life in light of the faith in a small group setting at youth-friendly venues, such as the Louisiana Boardwalk. See the calendar for updates.

Community Night

Ever want to hang out with your friends from St. Jude, but then realize that pesky youth minister will be there? Well, community night is your chance to hang out and have fun ...and nothing more. Come join the St. Jude youth group for tons of fun! We have community nights three Sundays each month after the 6 pm Mass. See the calendar for updates.

Steubenville Youth Conferences

How about spending three days with 3,000 of the craziest Catholics in the South? The Steubenville on the Bayou Conference is an exciting event filled with fun, talks, prayer, and a whole lot of Jesus. The cost is $135 and permission forms are required.

Canoe Trip

Did you know that there are tons of canoeing sites just a few hours away in Arkansas? We go every year and it's a lot of fun! Come join us for our canoe trip this fall. Keep an eye on the calendar for updates.

Spring Break Retreat

Have a little extra time to kill over spring break? What would you do if you could spend that time with friends on a challenging ropes course, rock climbing, hiking, and spending a little time learning about Jesus? Starting in 2009, St. Jude will be offering a Spring Break retreat for all high schoolers. Keep an eye on the calendar for updates.

Six Flags

We to do Six Flags every Spring. Last time, we had 36 people. 'Nuff said. Come join in the fun!

National Catholic Youth Conference

Have you ever seen 25,000 Catholic youth from around the country for three days of concerts, talks, and prayer? The next NCYC will be in November 2009 in Kansas City, Missouri. We'll be taking as many as we can. Permission forms will be required. Keep an eye on the calendar for more updates.

Mexico Mission Trip

Every year, the youth of St. Jude hop on a bus and take a life-changing trip to Saltillo, Mexico, where they serve those in need and soak in the culture of another country. Those who have gone in previous years have had wonderful conversion experiences by meeting Christ, who is present especially among the poor.

Ware Youth Correctional Facility

Visit the imprisoned youth of Northwest Louisiana and bring the joy of the Gospel to those in need of hope.

Hospitality House

Serve the poor at the hospitality house with your friends and classmates.

Lenten Fish Fry

Ever Lent, parishes and organizations around the world host Friday night fish fries in order to support the various ministries they run. The local Knights of Columbus (Bossier Council) gives all proceeds from their popular fish fry to the Mexico Mission Trip. We ask all youth, and especially those going on the Mexico Mission Trip, to assist at the fish fries as a part of their service to the community.