Summer may be coming to an end, but Xavier Teens is just gearing up for another year of formation, community, and fun. Under the guidance of our new Youth Minister, Kira Ziola, our young people stayed busy through the summer. Now is a great opportunity for any middle school and high school students who haven’t yet gotten involved to register for the upcoming year with Xavier Teens.
Over the summer, the teens had an opportunity to attend Summer on the Shore, a three-day event of outdoor fun mixed with a study of St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. They also visited the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine and attended the Steubenville Youth Conference.
As the new school year gets underway, Kira is on fire to bring our teens a well-rounded and authentic faith experience.
“My goal is to love the teens as Christ loves them and to give them the opportunities to encounter Christ and to teach and show them how much God loves them,” she says. “Another goal is to help them foster community amongst themselves. We are created for a relationship with God and relationship with others. Everyone, especially youth, is in need of good and healthy community.”
Registration weekend for Xavier Teens is Aug. 5-6 at all of the Masses, but families can register any time. Registration forms can be found at the welcome table in the narthex and in the parish office. All middle school and high school students are encouraged to join — Xavier Teens is for everyone, no matter where you are in your faith. Middle school students will meet on Sundays from 9:45 to 11 a.m. and high school students will meet on Wednesday evenings from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m.
Kira is assisted by a dedicated team of volunteers who help her to reach each teen on a personal level. New volunteers are always welcome.
“You don’t need any experience,” she says. “I just need you to love God and to love teenagers and young people! The Core Team’s role is to walk with teenagers as they learn about their faith and encounter Christ. They will participate in leading the weekly formation and community nights, as well as joining me in any off-campus activities or retreats.”
Faith formation is more than simply gaining knowledge — it truly shapes the direction our lives will go.
“I invite and encourage all parents and teens to get involved with our middle school and high school youth activities,” Kira says. “We ought to center our lives around Jesus Christ, and that includes joining the church community and striving to learn about our Catholic faith. We are all called to be disciples of Christ and to live out our faith!”
After a successful summer, Kira is looking forward to what this year will bring.
“What I am looking forward to the most is to know each kid personally and for the gift of walking with them towards Christ through their joyful, but difficult teenage years,” she says.
To serve with Xavier Teens, or to learn more, contact Kira Ziola at 405-372-6886 or kira@sfxstillwater.org.