What typically happens at High School Ministry?
We invite all teens to begin their High School Ministry experience at 4PM mass. After mass, we begin a session in Kenny Hall across the hall where teens are welcomed at the door and invited to meet up with their small group leader and the teens in their small group to catch up. The order varies but at each night we typically have a fun game or team building exercise, an engaging talk, a time for the teens to break open the talk with an activity or discussion within their small group, and we always provide dinner. At some of the nights, we will have a prayer experience that might include a time of praise and worship and/or adoration.
What is a series?
A series is a grouping of 2-5 High School Ministry nights where the messages are all connected under a common theme. Our goal with the series is to dive deeper into topics in a way that is relevant to a teen’s life (both practical and spiritual) instead of simply brushing over the surface.
What are small groups?
Our High School Ministry program pulls nearly 200 teens from 40 different Atlanta area high schools. Knowing that a large group experience can be intimidating for some teens, as well as a teen’s desire for authentic community we aim to make our large community feel small through our Life Teen small groups strategy. Teens get placed in a small group at the beginning of the year, and they remain in the same small group with the same leaders for the entirety of the year. This helps teens get to know other teens and leaders in a safe and relaxed discussion-based environment.
My high schooler goes to Catholic school. Why should they come to High School Ministry?
Investing in Catholic schooling is a big commitment and provides teens with incredible intellectual formation in the teachings of the Catholic faith. At High School Ministry we believe that the key to engaging a teen in their faith is to move them beyond knowing things about God to actually knowing God. The intellectual formation that your teen has received at school will be a great foundation to their experience at High School Ministry where we build community, tackle challenging issues in the life of a Catholic teen, and help them discover God’s great love and respond with a life of discipleship.
My high schooler won’t know anyone at High School Ministry. Will they feel welcomed?
One of our goals at High School Ministry is to make every teen who walks through our doors feel welcomed and valued as a part of our CTK Young Church family. We aim to make this happen through radical hospitality, outreach by our team of trained young adult leaders, and our intentional small group experience (see the question on small groups above). Obviously finding a true sense of community takes time, but we strive to expedite this process through intentional hospitality. If your teen ever doesn’t feel welcome, we ask that you PLEASE reach out to us to let us know how we can better his/her experience. Please contact Elaine at emccollum@ctking.com
My teen is in your Confirmation program. Do they need to register for High School Ministry?
No, anyone who is registered for Confirmation can come to High School Ministry free of charge.
My teen is an upperclassmen. What is offered for them?
Upperclassmen teens are invited to continue on their faith journey and register for our High School Ministry program, where they will be plugged into an Upperclassmen small group. For those who wish to dive even further into their faith, they can plug into Summit or apply to be part of our Empower Leadership Team.
What is Empower?
The Empower Leadership Program was designed to give youth who have received their Confirmation to witness to their faith in a tangible, meaningful way, right in their own parish. Confirmed youth assist with the middle or high school programs on Sunday nights. To apply to join Empower click here.
What is Summit?
Summit is a weekly Bible study for High School students who are interested in diving further into the scriptures. We meet on Wednesdays from 6:30-8:30pm in the Youth Room (The Youth Room is located in the Ministry Office).
What does the registration fee for High School Ministry cover?
The registration fee covers dinner, supplies, and resources for each of our High School Ministry meetings. It allows us to stipend guest speakers and priests as well as provide entertainment for big kick-off and end of the year events. In addition to this, teens get to attend off-site social events without an additional charge.
Are scholarships available for High School Ministry and High School Ministry events?
Yes! If you are in need of a scholarship, please click here.