Take on the Youth Minister!

Got Game?

Prove it!

Saturday, January 16th

4:30 pm to 9:00 pm

Basketball Night

Mass, Open Gym and Movie

Students in grades 6+ are encouraged to join us for Mass, Gym time and a movie on Saturday, January 16th. Students can take part in all or just part of this night. We’ll begin with Mass at 4:30 pm at church. (Attend with the group or with your own family. Bring clothes to change into if you wish). After that, we’ll move over into the school gym for basketball and open gym time. Lightning, 2 on 2, dribbling contests, horse, relay races---whatever we want to do! And yes, Carol will be playing basketball too! At about 7 pm we’ll stop for pizza and pop and watch the movie ‘Glory Road’ in the Activity Room. (Movie review available at http://www.usccb.org/. Bishops rated this movie as appropriate for adolescents and adults.) Students can be picked up from the Activity Room at 9 pm.

Click here for the Bishops' review of Glory Road.

Permission forms available in the Gathering Space kiosk or Parish Center Office.
Permission forms due Wednesday, January 13th.

Merry Christmas

Praying for a happy, healthy,

and peaceful Christmas Season

to you and your loved ones!

Largest Middle School event all year!

2010 Middle School Lock-In

Grades 6-8

January 29-30th

9pm-6:30 am

Cost: $15 ($20 at the door)

Friends are welcome!

DJ Bill Lage

Service Project

Movie

Dodgeball Tournament

Prayer Experiences

Photo Contest

Scooter Battles

Carnival Games

Prizes

Karaoke

and more!

Parent Chaperones are needed! Registration Forms are available in the Gathering Space Kiosk or in the Parish Center Office. Or, request an electronic copy here.

All forms and payment are due by Wednesday, January 27th in the St. Francis of Assisi Parish Center Office.

Lifeline Road Trip January 9, 2010

All Rochester Catholic youth in Gr. 8-12 AND PARENTS
are invited to go on the Lifeline Road trip:

Happy New Year! Bring your friends and join Catholic youth and parents from the greater Rochester area for the first LIFELINE of 2010 featuring music and worship with SONAR, a vibrant Mass, and dynamic breakouts for teens AND PARENTS alike. Whether you are new to Lifeline or a "regular,"plan to have your faith awakened, strengthened and renewed as a young apostle of Jesus Christ!

Breakouts include:
• "Living As a Daughter of the King" For High School Women Only
• "The Battle For A Man's Heart" For High School Men Only
• For PARENTS & ADULTS ONLY: "Raising Spiritual Champions for the Long Haul

Time: 3:30 PM- Midnight We will travel by coach bus to the NET Center in West St. Paul. Bus
loads at Holy Spirit at 3:30 PM, departs at 3:45 PM. and approx. return time is 11:45 PM-12AM.

Cost: $10 per person for the bus. Please bring $7 for pizza and pop following the event. All are encouraged to bring $ for the offertory during Mass

To register: Turn in completed form with $10 fee payable to Holy Spirit Church by Tuesday, January 5, 2010.

Permission forms available in the Gathering Space kiosk or request an electronic copy here.

Souper Bowl 2010

Your help is needed for the SOUPer Bowl!
February 7th, 2010


Introductory meeting
Saturday, Jan. 16th--10 am


What is the SOUPer Bowl?
Join the 2010 Souper Bowl of Caring, a nationwide movement that unites schools, congregations, community organizations and compassionate individuals in the fight against hunger.

Since the Souper Bowl of Caring began in 1990 with one youth group, the youth of America have raised more than $60 million for food banks, soup kitchens and other charities across the country. Now it’s your turn to fight hunger in the event that is transforming Super Bowl weekend into the nation’s largest youth-led weekend of giving and serving.

Last year, the group from St. Francis raised more than $1400.00 for Channel One. Join us on Saturday, January 16th from 10 am to 11:30 am in the Activity Room. Parent volunteers will be needed to help with the collection and counting of donations.

Open to all students in grades 7+. (ATTN Confirmation Students: This activity does count towards your GROUP service requirement!)


Interested?

RSVP by clicking Here!

Watch the video here.

Possible Mission Trip--High School Students

UPDATE: ALL FAMILIES INTERESTED WILL BE PUT ON A WAITING LIST UNTIL EARLY FEBRUARY. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING PLEASE SEND ME AN EMAIL.

The St. Francis of Assisi youth group is considering joining Resurrection Church for a mission trip. Here is the tentative information:



June 13-19, 2010
Piarist School in Martin, Kentucky
The work will be mostly manual labor, construction, etc.

Teens entering and exiting high school will be able to join us. This trip is also open to families (the youngest child must be 12 years or older).

If you are interested please leave a comment to this post (see below), send me an email or sign up on the Resurrection site.

The very last deadline for signing up is Monday, January 18th. But if you are interested sign up before that date as interest is very high!!

Sart thinking about it. 1200+ youth. Amazing worship. Prayerful Liturgy. Powerful prayer. Challenging Talks. Meaningful Small Groups. Memorable Fellowship.

Steubenville Conference 2010

July 16-18

Mayo Civic Center

Each year the Steubenville Conference has been in Rochester it has grown and grown and grown. Will you (and/or your student) be a part of this conference this year?

Watch for more information. Join our city-wide Rochester group. Open to all youth entering and exiting high school.

Wrapping Party 2009

12 high school and middle school students joined in on the wrapping party fun!!! We wrapped more than 20 presents for the Advent Angel Tree. The activity room was transformed with lights and snowflakes!

We played the "unwrapping” game where students had to unwrap a present while blindfolded and wearing winter gloves! After opening the box students had to “use” whatever was inside the box which turned out to be ridiculous outfits that they had to put on as quick as they could.

We also watched the movie “ELF” projected on the wall! There was pizza, snacks, cookies and candy.

Our ‘most festive dressed’ winner was Kathryn Heimer who won for the 2nd straight year in a row! She showed her Christmas spirit from head (elf hat, complete with elf ears) to toe (elf shoes with ringing bells!)

Wrapping Party

Join us on Saturday, December 12th for our Wrapping Party. First, participate in the Advent Angel Tree project. Take a gift (or 2 or 3) off the tree in the gathering space and buy the gift. Bring your unwrapped gift to the Activity Room at 6 pm. We will wrap the gifts together, have snacks, play games, and watch a Christmas movie. Open to all grades 6+.


Bring:

-Sleeping bag/blanket for the movie
-Your most FESTIVE Christmas outfit (go all out!)
-Your angel tree gifts (don't forget the tags!)
-A plate of Christmas cookies (to share, if you're able)
-Wrapping Paper, bows, and ribbon to share. Take any extras back home with you!
(scissors and tape will be provided)

Permission Forms available at the Parish Center office or in the kiosk in the Gathering Space.
Permission Forms due Wednesday, December 9th.

Advent Angel Tree

Your help is needed!

Dana and Linda Hyberger need help organizing the Advent Angel Tree gifts. If you are able, please meet Dana in the Gathering space at 11 am (after the 10 am Mass)this Sunday, December 13th. From there you will assist in organizing and distributing gifts for the families receiving these gifts. If you have questions or to let them know you can help, please email Dana at hyberger.dana@mayo.edu.

And, THANK YOU!

City-Wide Youth Ministry

Check out what is being offered CITY WIDE for Catholic Youth Ministry--all these events are open to all Catholic youth from any parish in Rochester (friends are also welcome!). Contact Carol or the host parish for more information.



Wednesday, December 30th--Ski Trip Hosted by Pax Christi Church
Click here for Ski Trip


Saturday, January 9th--Lifeline Trip
(Grades 8+)
Bring your friends and join Catholic youth and parents from the greater Rochester area for the first LIFELINE of 2010 featuring music and worship with SONAR, a vibrant Mass, and dynamic breakouts for teens AND PARENTS alike. Whether you are new to Lifeline or a "regular," plan to have your faith awakened, strengthened and renewed as a young apostle of Jesus Christ!Breakouts include:• "Living As a Daughter of the King" For High School Women Only• "The Battle For A Man's Heart" For High School Men Only• For PARENTS & ADULTS ONLY: "Raising Spiritual Champions for the Long Haul
Where: We will travel by coach bus to the NET Center in West St. Paul Bus loads at Holy Spirit at 3:30 PM, departs at 3:45 PM. and approx. return time is 11:45 PM-12AM.
Cost: $10 per person for the bus. All are encouraged to bring $ for the offertory during Mass and $7 for pizza and pop following the event.
To register: Turn in completed permission slip with $10 fee payable to Holy Spirit Church by Tuesday, January 5, 2010.
Registration forms are available in the Gathering Space kiosk or via email by contacting youthministry@holyspiritrochester.org.


Friday-Saturday, January 29-30th--Middle School Lock-In
Mark your calendars now and don’t miss the biggest middle school gathering of the year. The Lock-In is a city wide event and brings in over 100 students from all of our Rochester parishes each year. This year St. John’s Church will host the event. There will be food, games, live entertainment, music and more! More information to come. Registration will open January 1st.


Friday-Monday, February 12-15th--High School Winter Retreat Hosted by Pax Christi
Click here for Retreat Flyer
Click Here for Retreat Permission Form

Coming Soon!

Grades 7+. Watch for more information.

Iron Chef--NEW DATE!

Saturday, December 19th

Permission Forms due Wednesday, December 16th

Iron Chef Challenge 2009

10:00 am-2:00 pm

Can you handle the heat?

Then get in the kitchen!

Guidelines

1) Open to all St. Francis of Assisi parish youth grades 6-12. Students will sign up in teams of 2-4 people. The winning team will be awarded the coveted Golden Spatula as well as a gift card for each person.

2) Each team will need one ‘host kitchen’ and one adult leader. The leader will be given the secret ingredient ahead of time. The secret ingredient will be revealed to participants at 10 am. At that time the students may begin planning and preparing their secret dish. Students have until 12 Noon to finish their dish. (All this will take place in the host kitchen.)


3) It is permissible to use portions of a recipe that already exists. It is also permissible to accept help from adults, however the majority of the planning and cooking must be done by the students. The secret ingredient must be included in the dish.


4) Each team must also think of a creative name or title for their dish along with a list of ingredients used. The title should give a hint at what the dish is made out of, what it tastes like, what the inspiration is, etc. This will help to entice the judges! Each team must also prepare a 1 minute explanation of their dish for the judges. This time should be used to explain their creation to the judges and tell them why your creation deserves high marks!


5) Teams will be judged in 4 categories: Appearance, Creativity, Taste and Difficulty. Points will be awarded 1-5. The team with the highest number of points will win. Local celebrity judges will be brought in to administer points.


6) At 12:15 pm all participants should arrive at St. Francis of Assisi Church Activity Room and be ready to “sell” their creation to the judges.Students will bring their creation and spend time talking with the judges.



7) Lunch will be provided for the students at St. Francis. Judges will make their decisions and winners will be decided by 1:00 pm.


This is always a fun event--please join us! We have one team who is the reigning IRON CHEF team who has yet to be beaten. Will someone else triumph this year? Come and find out. The more 'competition' the better!

Thanksgiving Boxes 2009

62-Boxes to decorate

9-Students to help

5-bags of food donated

1-Gum Bubble on the face

On Friday night, a group of students from grades 6-9 helped out to decorate Thanksgiving boxes. We had food and music and a good time overall. Thank you to all the students who worked to decorate these great boxes.

Thank you for all your effort!

Steve Angrisano Concert

Lifeline Youth Mass and
Steve Angrisano in Concert
Saturday, December 5th
3:30 PM- approx. 10:45 PM.

Steve Angrisano is recognized as one of the most dynamic and effective communicators with Catholic young people in the Church today! As a musician, composer and storyteller, Steve has shared his music and message with thousands of people in more that 200 dioceses. His unique blend of laughter, song, story and often hilarious audience interaction have made him a popular choice for many parishes. Registration is through Holy Spirit Church.
Permission forms available in the gathering space kiosk. Pick up one today!

CBC 2009

Cardboard Box City was another success in 2009. Over MEA weekend a group of youth and adults from our parish spent one night in the box to raise money and awareness for the homeless in Rochester. There were a few sprinkles but that did not dampen any spirits.

Interfaith Hospitality Network, the Dorothy Day House and the Salvation Army all benefitted from money raised for this event. Our group contributed $350 for these organizations!

Overall, this event raised $17,000. Money goes directly to Dorothy Day Hospitality House, Salvation Army and Interfaith Hospitality Network.

Visit www.cardboard-box-city.org to see a slideshow of pictures from this event.

Thank you to all students who participated.
A special thank you to Michelle Larson and Tony Condon who braved the weather for this event!!!

Raking Day

Thanks to Kyra, Caleb, Alex, Taylor and Marc who help at our annual Leaf Raking Day on Saturday, November 7th. We had a beautiful Saturday and helped rake the yard of Gwen and David Oeth. Good work, everyone! Thanks for your service!

TEC Retreats

TEC is coming to Rochester in March 2010. Watch for more information!

Click here to visit the website!

Steve Angrisano Concert

This video shows Steve Angrisano who will be doing a concert December 5th at the NET Center in St. Paul. Join us for Mass and an AWESOME concert! Pick up permission form in the kiosk in the Gathering Space at church. Open to grades 8+.

Visit his website!

"Giving Thanks" Get-together

November 20th
Activity Room
6-8:30 pm

Give thanks, have fun, help out! Get into the giving spirit and join us to decorate thanksgiving boxes. Open to all youth in grades 6-12. Bring a non-perishable food item to donate. We’ll decorate boxes, play games and have food!

Join us for this great night that benefits those in need.

Pick up a permission form in the Gathering Space kiosk.
Permission forms due Wed. November 18th.

It's a boy!

Joel David Crawford

Born September 24th
8 lbs. 6 oz.



I have been out for a while but will soon be back!
Keep your eyes open for new updates!

Austin Youth Rally Nov. 8th

Austin Youth Rally
Presents: APeX Ministries

Cost: $15 per student ($20 at the door)
Sunday, November 8th 1 pm—7 pm
St. Mary’s School in Owatonna, MN
Open to all students in grades 7-8

Join us for a day of comedy, drama, faith sharing, death defying juggling, story telling, music, and prayer with over 400 other students! Gene and Brad will provide hours of entertainment and fun though juggling, comedy, and talks.

Parent chaperones and drivers are needed.

Students and Parents SIGN UP HERE.

Summer 2009 Pictures

Ice Skating September 09

Resurrection Church is offering a youth night for Ice Skating, Mass and a movie this Saturday!
Open to all students grades 6-12.

5:30 pm-7:30 pm Ice Skating at the Rec Center

(Bring $5 to skate and extra $2 to rent skates)

8:00 pm Mass at Resurrection Church

9:15 pm-11:00 Movie "Mr. Holland's Opus"

(To celebrate the new school year!)

Sign up through Resurrection Church. Contact youth minister, Dennis Kunkel at dennisk@resurrection.org or 507-288-5528.

Happy Skating!

Lifeline October 2009

Lifeline Road Trip for Gr. 8-12

Join us for the first road trip on Saturday, October 3.
3:30 pm to Midnight

Theme is: "Truly, Truly Igniting Your Faith" Kick-off Mass with Fr. Bill Baer and Evening Program with Mike Hoffman
"God is good… all the time! And all the time…God is good! Well if God is that great (which He is!) then what about YOU?! In this world where the noise is so loud, what is your response to such a good God? Our generation is being called right now to be louder than the world and be the lampstand on the hill. Now, more than ever, Catholics need to be the feet and hands of God — love in action! You have more impact than you know!"

Michael Hoffman is explosively funny! Hilarious, engaging, entertaining and unique in his ability to reach people on an emotional and practical level at the same time. Be the light that God intended you to be!


Bus loads at Holy Spirit at 3:30 PM and departs at 3:45 PM, bus returns to Holy Spirit at approx. midnightCost is $20 per person which covers everything: (bus, snacks & pizza!) Friends welcome!All participants must turn in a permission slip. Permission slips and fee are due to Holy Spirit no later than Monday, September 28.

CBBC 2009

It’s that time again!

Join us for Cardboard Box City this year!

October 16-17 (MEA Weekend)

What is Cardboard Box City?
Cardboard Box City is an event to raise awareness about homelessness in Rochester. Participants of all ages will experience what it might be like to be homeless by spending one night in a Cardboard Box. All participants are also asked to collect “rent” to stay in Cardboard Box City. All rent money goes to benefit our local organizations such as the Dorothy Day House, Interfaith Hospitality Network and the Salvation Army.

All students grades 7-12 are encouraged to join us. We will meet late afternoon on Friday, head over to Soldiers Field, set up our homes and then spend the night outside! There will be live entertainment and some warm food to keep us going throughout the night. In the morning we’ll wake up early, take down our boxes and have breakfast together in McCarthy Hall.

This is a great experience for all students, but in order to make it happen we NEED PARENT SUPPORT. Support in many different areas is need, registration/paperwork collection, chaperoning, transportation, box donations, supplies donations, food items, etc. If you are interested, please contact Carol.

Confirmation students—look for a sign up sheet at the meetings this weekend for more information. All permission forms are due Wednesday, September 30th.

Keep Your Eyes Open for MORE INFORMATION!

For more information about this event, please visit:

cardboard-box-city.org

Youth Mission Choir

Youth Mission Choir
Open to all students in grades 2-12

The Youth Choir will perform for one night of the mission: October 28th at 6:30pm

Practice is 10/21 at 6pm (in Church) and

10/28 at 8am (cry room).
Attending one practice is ok.


Sign up at http://www.stfrancis-church.org/,

in the gathering space at Church,

or at Faith Formation.

2009-2010 Lifeline

Gearing up for another year! All students entering grades 8-12...join us!

Over 800 hundred Catholic teens in a gymnasium, a Mass where everyone loves to sing, and snacks? Sounds like Lifeline, our monthly program that turns the NET Center into a hot spot for Catholic young people in the Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis and beyond.

Now in it's fifteenth year, each Lifeline evening includes Mass followed by locally and nationally known speakers, musicians, priests, and entertainers who dynamically proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Youth and their parish leaders come to Lifeline events to celebrate their faith so they can be encouraged and equipped to share it within their parishes and schools.

2009-2010 Schedule

Oct. 3: LIFELINE MASS & Evening Program with Mike Hoffman
"Ignite Your Faith!" (w/ Eucharistic Adoration)

Nov. 7: LIFELINE MASS & Evening Program with Fr. Mike Schmitz
"Deus Caritas Est" (w/Eucharistic Adoration)

DEC. 5: LIFELINE MASS & Evening Program AND
STEVE ANGRISANO IN CONCERT ($10 tickets advance)

Jan. 9*(2010): LIFELINE MASS & Evening Program with the NET Teams, Breakouts for Men/Women/Parents

Feb. 6: LIFELINE MASS & Archbishop John Neinstedt
"Vocation to the Priesthood and Religious life"

Mar. 6: LIFELINE MASS & Evening Program with Gina Bauer
"Vocation of Marriage and Family Life"

Apr. 10*: LIFELINE MASS & Evening Program with Fr. Andrew Cozzens & Sonar (An evening of prayer, praise & worship and Eucharistic Adoration)

May 1: LIFELINE MASS & Evening Program with Fr. Jim Livingston and Eucharistic Adoration (Come, Holy Spirit)

Mark your calendars and SAVE YOUR SATURDAYS!

More information...

NET Ministries website

Sonar Band website

Steve Angrisano website

Poster Contest!

Grades K-8

September 2nd-September 30th

3 winners will be chosen!


"Journey with Jesus" Poster Contest

Are you a drawer, painter or doodler? Then this is a contest for you!
All youth in Kindergarten through 8th grade are invited to participate in the poster contest for the St. Francis of Assisi Parish Mission. Young people will design a poster for the theme “Journey with Jesus”. The winning designs will be used at the Parish Mission.

There will be three winners at different levels: K-2nd, 3rd-5th, and 6th-8th grades. Pick up an entry form at St. Francis of Assisi School, Parish Center office, or in the kiosk in the Gathering Space at church. All entries are due by Wednesday, September 30th.

For complete rules, please pick up an entry form at any of the above listed locations.