Schuyler Life Teen
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“Life Teen has as its central focus on one mission: to lead teens closer to Christ by experiencing His power
and love in the Eucharist, the Word of God and in each other”
From the Life Teen Vision Statement
What does Life Teen offer to the Teens of Schuyler?
Life Teen is the one opportunity for Schuyler’s teens to join their peers in their quest to grow in their faith
and commitment to Christ and the church through the celebration of the Eucharist and participation in the
Life Nights. There is no other formal Faith Formation program beyond the 9th grade in Schuyler.
What is a Life Night?
During the school year, the teens gather for Life Nights after Mass. Life Nights are teaching experiences
each of which focuses on one of three different themes: Catholic teachings and theology; Spirituality; or
Life Issues including morality, drugs, peer pressure, etc.
Life Teen is a Catholic program but involves many non-Catholics of the Community. Teens from area
communities are also involved.
What other activities are there?
There are two teen retreats each year with an average of 65 students (balanced between boys and girls)
attending each retreat. Besides the coed retreats there is “Women of Beauty” weekend for girls and “Men
of God” for boys during the summer. There have been summer trips involving service or nationwide youth
conferences. Teens have also organized their own Bible Study for Wednesday evenings.
What have been the fruits of the Life Teen program?
Faith Formation is when you are instructed in the Faith. Life Teen is a program of Transformation, i.e., it
is when your Faith becomes your own and causes you to change. It leads to a stronger desire for deeper
formation.
After their participation in the Life Teen program, many teens have continued to practice their faith in a
variety of ways:
• Return to serve as Core Team members
• President of Neuman Center at college
• Serve as House Parents at Boys Town
• Religious vocations
• Mission work at college and abroad
• Bible Study teachers
• Lectors and EMHC’s
• Parish Council Youth Representatives
• Converts to Catholicism
• Outreach to non-Catholics
When did Life Teen begin in Schuyler?
Schuyler’s Life Teen Program was organized in 1994 with 9 Core Team members and an average of 10 teens
each week. There has been a significant increase in the number of teens in attendance with the number of
Core members remaining constant. Fr. Ralph Lammers was instrumental in initiating the Life Teen
Program and celebrated the Masses while he was Pastor at St. Mary’s. Fr. Jerry Leise has taken the role of
celebrant for the Life Teen Mass since his assignment to Schuyler.
How do outsiders see the Schuyler Life Teen program?
Many priests in Nebraska have called Schuyler’s Life Teen Program the #1 Youth Group in the state. At
Life Teen’s national 20th anniversary celebration in Los Angeles, during the summer of 2005, Schuyler’s
Program received the “Above and Beyond” award. This award was given to only 10 of the 900 programs that
are found world-wide.
What method can be used to convince a teen to attend Life Nights?
One mother told her son that he had a choice – either he attended Life Nights or she would teach him for
one hour each week! He chose Life Nights.
How can you support the Life Teen Program?
*Pray:
• That the teens will make this program their own and that there will be a transformation in their faith.
• That there will be adults who are willing to share their faith by serving as Core Team Members who
will not be self-serving but seek to share the love of Christ and His teachings with the teens.
• That teens of all cultures will feel welcome and choose to participate.
*Volunteer to help.
• There is an urgent need for young adults to help the Core Team in presenting occasional Life Nights.
(Experience has shown that teens are attracted to young adults.)
• Become a Parental Support Person who prepares and serve snacks at Life Nights and occasional meals,
helps with set-up, provides transportation, etc.
• Baby-sit with children of Core Team Members
• Make signs, posters, etc.
*Encourage and challenge teens to join their peers at Life Teen events.
*Thank and encourage our Pastors for their support of the Life Teen Program.
What is the hope for the future of Life Teen?
The Faith Formation process in Schuyler begins with elementary religious education and continues
through a commitment to the Catholic Church at Confirmation during the 9th Grade. It is then taken to a
deeper level of transformation through the Life Teen Program. This transformation process leads teens into
a more intimate relationship with Jesus Christ and into service for their church, community and world.
Through this relational ministry, teens receive education, support and guidance in an environment of
community. This community includes peers, church leaders, parents and volunteers.
In order for this program to continue and succeed, it is important for each of us to accept responsibility for
our part as Christians in helping Life to thrive.
Special attention needs to be given by young adults who must face the reality of how their families will grow
in their commitment to Christ in a world which seeks to lead them down the wrong path.
| SCHUYLER LIFE TEEN A Faith Formation Program For Teens |
| To offer your support contact: Life Teen Ministry 320 West 10th St. Schuyler NE 68661 Phone: 402-352-5988 Mary Guynan |
