1. Integrating Children and Youth into the total life of St. Louis Catholic Church.
• We will do everything in the name of our Church. The name of the group will be “St. Louis Youth Ministry”.
• Bring as many as possible children and youth for the meetings.

In order to achieve this end
• All the priests will use their sermon and pulpit as often as possible to enlighten the parents and show the need of this youth gathering.
• We will send a reminder every month to the parents highlighting the date and events of the youth program.
• We will meet them personally and invite them for the same.
• We will announce the youth ministry program in our bulletin and weekend Mass announcements.
• Fourth Sunday of every month, have the 11:00am Mass as Youth Mass during which ushers, greeters, lectors, altar servers etc. will be youth members.

2. Prepare our Kids and Youth for the road and not road for the kids.
• It is done mainly through Scriptural class, moral class, scientific lectures and professional guidance.

In order to achieve this end
• From September 07 onwards, High School youth meetings will be on the Second and Fourth Sunday from 7:00 to 9:00pm.
• We would like to invite Priests, Doctors, Lawyers, Teachers, Police Officers and other Professional people to speak on different subjects.
• We will also ask some professional persons to compare their profession with faith and how they integrate their profession with faith.

3. Fostering a personal and spiritual growth of each kid and youth.
• We will highlight the importance of the Sacraments and personal prayer life.

In order to achieve this end
• We will encourage them to receive the Sacraments, especially Holy Eucharist and Confession frequently.
• We will begin our Sunday gathering with our usual Sunday Rosary and Benediction in the Church.
• We will try to facilitate opportunities for Youth Mass, seminars, retreats, workshops, personal prayer.
• We will also reach out to the Mission Team, Festival Committee, and Rummage Sale.
• We will also assist with Religious Education, Vacation Bible School, helping with liturgical ministries (i.e. lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, ushers, greeters, musicians, altar servers, etc.).
• We have planned once a month listening to faith-sharing of the parents of our parish during the youth gathering.

4. Celebration of gatherings
• During every youth gathering, there will be an opportunity for free time, games, refreshments, & “hanging out,” under the direct guidance of adult volunteers.

Junior High
• Junior High youth gatherings will be held on the 1st and 3rd week of the month. Dates will be decided in consultation with the SLS authorities. Junior High will meet from 3:30 to 4: 30pm. From 3:15 to 3: 30pm snacks and drinks will be available. The help of Junior High parents will be sought to assist with this gathering.

My dear parents and friends, this is our dream and hope. I need your help in many ways. First and foremost send your kids and youth for this program. I also need some other help in the future for the success of our Youth ministry. Now the ball is in your court. I expect that all our kids and youth will benefit from this program.

Our children are precious to you as well to us. Let us do whatever we can to improve their spiritual growth.

God bless you all.
Fr. Berny Varghese OFM Cap.