St. Margaret Mary Church: Youth Ministries

Youth Ministries

Nursery: Contact: Erin Strcula (304) 481-2753
The Nursery - in the Parish Hall - is open during the 11:00 Mass every Sunday, to care for parishioners' little children. If you would like to help take care of the children, you'll be on a rotating schedule. More help is always needed, including substitutes. The nursery also needs good toys, or contributions to buy new ones
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Children's Liturgical Committee: Contact: Ann Garvin (304) 428-4968
Isn't it a joy to see the children gather during 11:00 Mass to receive Father's blessing, and then troop down the main aisle on their way to "Children's Church"? Children ages 4 through 10 proceed to the Parish Hall, where they listen to and discuss the day's readings in terms they can understand. The children return to the church after the homily, and some of them carry up the gifts for the Offertory. This ministry is offered year-round, by volunteers who serve on a rotating schedule. You can simply join the children as they leave during the Mass, to observe the activity, if you wish - or call the Contact Person for more information. Men and women are encouraged to become leaders in this blessed ministry that nourishes the faith of our children!

Vacation Bible School: Contact: Catherine Wharton (304) 428-1262
Each summer St. Margaret Mary offers Vacation Bible School for four evenings in one week. Children from age 3 through the sixth grade are encouraged to attend. Programs for youth and adults are also included. Many youth and adult helpers are needed every year. Several preparatory meetings are held for these helpers.

Youth Group LifeTeen/Edge: Edge Contact: Catherine Wharton (304) 428-1262
Life Teen Contact: Michele McClung
Teens and pre-teens from all parishes in the area, gather every Sunday from 6 till 8 in St. Margaret Mary Parish Activity Center for an evening of learning, fellowship, food and fun. Life Nights (high school) and Edge Nights (middle school) present the Catholic faith in a non-classroom format, making the faith relevant for teens today.
Life Teen/Edge is an international Catholic ministry that believes that Eucharist-based ministry has the power to transform teens, transform parishes, and transform culture. A team of adults leads the groups through games, teachings, skits, small group sharing and prayer time. A meal is served at the end of each meeting as the teens have additional time for fellowship and fun. We are always looking for more teens to join us and for more adults to answer the call to work with our youth.

Catholic Youth Convention

Contact: Catherine Wharton (304) 428-1262
The West Virginia Catholic Youth Convention is a 3-day worship, learning, and fellowship experience for high school youth grades 9-12. Held every fall, the convention invites young Catholics from across the state to come together and form lasting memories and friendships. In the spring, the Convention staff holds a 2-day rally counterpart for junior high students.

Teens Encounter Christ (T.E.C.)

Contact: Catherine Wharton (304) 428-1262
T.E.C. is a three-day retreat experience for high school juniors and seniors who would like to meet Christ and their peers, forming lasting friendships. It is a weekend based on the Good Friday/Easter/Pentecost experience of Jesus.

"TIMELY" Program (now called Lay Ecclesial Ministry)

Contact: Michelle Tomshack (304) 423-5803
Teens and adults working together to learn and to serve the community, make up this unique project. It's a three-pronged program sponsored by our diocese along with Wheeling Jesuit University. 1) The Teen component includes a one-week Theology Camp and a year-long service project. 2) Adults who lead the teens are in the process of completing a Lay Ministry Certificate Program. 3) Those adults who wish, can apply this certificate program towards requirements for an M.A. in Applied Theology.

For more particular information, go to www.dwc.org. Then click on Diocese tab; then in the left column click on Office of Faith Formation; on the next page go to Download Files and Brochures; and finally click on Lay Ecclesial Ministry Formation.