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Peer Ministry

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.  Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interest of others.”  Philippians 2: 3-4

 

2019-2020 Dates

PERMISSION SLIP

What is a Peer Minister?

A Peer Minister is a High School student who desires to grow in their faith life, share their faith journey with others and strives to live a life in accordance with the gospel message of Jesus Christ. The word ministry comes from the Greek word diakonia, which means “serving at the table, the work of a servant or slave.”  Our ministry serves our parish community, peers and our local high school communities.  Our acronym is P.A.I.N:  We pray first and strive to be approachable, inclusive and non judgmental in all that we do.

Who can be a Peer Minister?                                                                                          Any teen who has received the sacraments of initiation: baptism, communion and confirmation.  You must be actively living their Catholic faith.

What does it take to be a Peer Minister?                                                                       It takes a sincere desire and willingness to share, on some level, where you are at in your faith walk. A Peer Ministry team, like the church, is made up of individuals at different places in their faith journey.

Is there an ideal Peer Minister?                                                                                     No, person is unique in the eyes of God and each posses various talents and gifts that when used collectively allows us to minister to all in the parish. The team is made up of a wide array of teens.  Some are committed to a number of activities at school while others make Peer Ministry their one and only priority. Team members bring a variety of family backgrounds to their ministry. Some feel more comfortable one on one while others do better in large groups. Each and every team member brings his or her own special personality and the whole Peer Ministry team will be enriched by the diverse personalities of the team members. The Peer Ministry training that we offer throughout the year will give you the opportunity to grow not only in the areas you already excel in but in the areas that others see you having a gift for. You will be challenged in many ways, but never asked to do something you are not comfortable with.

I’ve never done anything like this, will I get training?                                              You will participate in a week long summer training that will conclude with a Diocesan Deanery retreat along with a number of team building and training sessions throughout the year.  This training occurs on the 1st Monday of each month from 7PM – 8:30PM

Peer Ministry Team Members are also expected to:

1. Participate fully in all Peer Ministry events.

2. Openly promote the teachings of the Catholic faith to their peers.

3. Assist in other areas of parish life as requested by the Youth Minister.

4. Strive to conform to the Code of Conduct

5. Set an example based upon all of the teachings of the Catholic Church.

6. Set aside time each day to pray for themselves, their families, and their fellow peers.

What will I get out of Peer Ministry?

As a Peer Minister you will be with fellow teens who are seeking, just like you, a way to grow in their relationship with God. The rewards that you will reap are a group of peers, who you probably otherwise would never have gotten a chance to meet in a different setting.  Within Peer Ministry you can feel safe from peer pressure, develop leadership and organizational skills that will help in college, and broaden your horizons based upon the individuals that you get to know. You will build friendships that will last a lifetime. In many of the things you do you will find personal growth and satisfaction. By sharing your faith journey with others you will see the fruits of the seeds you plant in your role as a Peer Minister.

For More information please email Yashira Matos