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Discipleship Focused Ministry 2020-2021
​Teens ages 13-18

"What are you looking for?"
• Jn 1:35-42
It is a question meant for all men of every time and in all places and situations. It is the question put to the two disciples by Jesus. What are you seeking? What is the purpose of your existence? Who are you looking for?  As a community,  teens are invited to explore their faith and grow in virtue through Christ's teachings.

Local Teen Mission Trip

St. Mary's Visitation is sponsoring 4 teens for each week.  Please contact Elizabeth before March 26th when SMV teen reservations will expire. ​

Love Begins Here  
High School Week 1: June 27-July 2 at St. Elizabeth, Kenosha

High School Week 2: July 11-16 at St. Mary's, Menomonee Falls
Email Elizabeth Harrison eharrison@stmaryeg.org

High School Catholic Formation Grades 9-12

9th-12th Discipleship Focused Ministry is not a program. It is a way of living that clarifies our Catholic identity and deepens our love for Jesus.  This identity and love for Jesus is the light we carry into the world.  A light that takes away the darkness within all those God puts into our path.  As disciples of Christ we are called to love, know and serve Him with all our hearts, minds and souls.

Confirmation Preparation:
Parents ask, "How long is St. Mary's Visitation Confirmation program?"  This indicates there is a misunderstanding of what preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation is all about.

Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation started the day parents requested baptism for their son or daughter and continues until the child is ready to respond on his/her own to God's call.   The parents are the primary catechists.  Children and teens who live a God-centered life at home are drawn closer to His heart.  They are in relationship with Him.  They want to go to Mass.   They need to receive the Eucharist.   They depend on Reconciliation.  

The Archdiocese of Milwaukee has sacrament guidelines that we follow.  These guidelines include a minimum age requirement, an expectation that teens continue to grow in faith knowledge through formal catechesis at home, in school or through the parish and are following all the precepts of the Catholic Church.

In essence, Catholic Formation includes following all of Christ's teachings and living the faith in word, action and deed.  

If a teen is not attending Sunday Mass, or not receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation, or has not received Catholic Formation for many years,  this is a clear indication that something is lacking.

For this reason, some teens will need more time than others before receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation.   

We meet with each teen individually to discuss where he/she is in their faith journey before discussing the Sacrament of Confirmation.  It is important that the teen makes his/her own decision to be Confirmed. 

​It is also important that the teen has a relationship with Jesus, knows Him and desires a deeper relationship 
through worship, service and love. 

If the teen has some desire, but really hasn't been actively pursuing a deeper relationship with Jesus, we need to follow up with the parents and discuss ways to assist the teen in nurturing a deeper relationship with Jesus.

Please contact Elizabeth Harrison to set up a one on one meeting with your teen.   Please indicate in the email subject line "Teen's Name - Desire to be Confirmed" eharrison@stmaryeg.org

We meet all children/teens where they are in their faith journey and offer many different ways to walk with your son/daughter closer to Christ. 

Teen & Parent Resources
Becoming Disciples of Christ

The Mass:  Bishop Barron, Word on Fire Digital
What is the Mass and do I really understand what it is?

A Book Club for Teens
The Spiritual Journey of a Saint
Fulfillment of All Desires by Ralph Martin
​
Drawing upon the teaching of seven Spiritual Doctors of the Church, Ralph Martin presents an in-depth study of the journey to God. This book provides encouragement and direction for the pilgrim who desires to know, love, and serve our Lord.

Daily Bible Reading Podcasts with
​Father Mike Schmitz
Seeing the world through the Word! 
Father Mike Schmitz offers short daily 
Bible pod casts for reflection.

Our hearts go through constant conversion as we hunger for more of Jesus.  We encounter Him in scripture, tradition, and the people He puts in our path.  We get to know Jesus, personally, as a trusted friend who is always at our side. 
​
A highway will be there,
called the holy way;
No one unclean may pass over it,
nor fools go astray on it.
No lion will be there,
nor beast of prey go up to be met upon it.
It is for those with a journey to make,
and on it the redeemed will walk."             
​(Is. 35:89, NAB)

Catholic Formation for teens:
January - April, 2021: 
2nd and 4th Sunday of each month - Girls, 9th-12th grade will meet at 10am at the Center for Contemplative Living in Elm Grove with Elizabeth Harrison, Veronica Edwards and Sr. Ann Koerner.  Contact: Elizabeth Harrison

The Center for Contemplative Living 
The Village Court
Building 1,  Suite 105
890 Elm Grove Rd.
Elm Grove, WI 53122

Guys, 9th-12th grade meet at 10am in the Attic at St. Mary's Visitation Parish.  Contact Tim Cornell for the meeting schedule.  ​

​Finding Good Friends

​Friendship is one of the highest experiences of life. Yet sadly, while most of us have lots of "friends," few of us have the sorts of deep, true friendships we long for.  (Studies of Millennials and Gen Z'ers confirm that true friendship is among their most unmet needs.)

So, what is true friendship, and how do we find it?  What’s unique about Christian friendship?

Father Mike Schmitz:  How to get real friends.

In the latest episode of "The Burrowshire Podcast" my best friend, Fr. Blake, and I discuss:
  • What ancient thinkers such as Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, and Augustine said about friendship
  • Our own deep friendship, and how it evolved
  • Advice on how to find and develop profound friendships yourself
Watch here:  Episode #007 >> True Friendship
-- Brandon Vogt