Ascension Church
808 S. East Avenue
Oak Park, IL 60304708/848-2703
This program is designed to foster the spiritual growth of high school teens by drawing them into responsible participation in the life, vision and work of the faith community. Youth Ministry is composed of teens living in the parish and adults who serve as mentors through participation in various activities. The program is led by a full-time Director of Youth Ministry who works to implement various activities designed to meet the goals of the group. Youth Ministry assists in the development and sharing of teens' unique gifts with the larger community in areas of education, spirituality, service and social activities.
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View the complete Youth Ministry Calendar |
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HRT Applications are availabile here |
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| PRAYER | RETREATS | SERVICE | SOCIAL |
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Taizé We invite all youth to be a part of this ecumenical prayer service. Taizé Prayer is an Ecumenical form of Prayer modeled after an ecumenical community founded in the 1940's by Br. Roger in Taizé, France. The purpose of the prayer is meant to foster reconciliation and peace among all people. Christians of all traditions share in this ecumenical group. A committee prepares the prayer space one hour before the service.
The Taizé Prayer Service is held every year on January 1, the World Day of Prayer for Peace, at 7:30 PM. Each month, February through December, Taizé Prayer is held on the First Friday at 7:30 PM.
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Teen Takeover Every year the doors of Ascension are opened to teens from the community. The school, gym, and church become the home of high school students for 25 hours as they explore the real issues that teens face. From Friday night to Saturday night, we play games, share our stories, and grow together. This retreat is put on by a team of 20 teens and 5 adults who spend the year preparing. More information and applications will be available in the Spring.
Click here for the Team Calendar
Freshmen & Sophomore Retreat Looking for a chance to get away from the holiday rush? Need a break from school? During the winter we are offering a chance for freshmen or sophomores to do just that. It’ll be a fun filled two days that will help build community in Oak Park/River Forest and let you explore your faith. Teens from St. Luke’s, St. Giles, and Ascension will gather together to build community. More information about next year's retreat will be available in the fall.
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Forms can be downloaded here:
Click Here to Link to Youth Ministry's Summer Youth Projects
Click here to view the Summer Youth Projects Calendar
Click here to view the Summer Youth Projects Budget
Appalachia Service Project (ASP) ASP is a program that is devoted to helping make the homes of people in need in KY, WV, VA, and TN warmer, safer, and drier. Groups of Ascension teens have been participating in this program for about 10 years. The program has grown considerably so that in recent years, we have been taking from 10 to 12 work crews to Appalachia. A work crew is comprised of 5 teens and 2 adults, one of whom serves in the capacity of carpenter. Throughout the year, teens and adults participate in fundraising and formation meetings to prepare for the experience. Applications are turned in during the fall so be on the lookout for next years trip. Go to ASP Web site
Young Neighbors In Action (YNIA) YNIA is a much smaller program than ASP. We usually send about 19 teens and 4 adults on this trip. Projects vary and can include construction projects, making meals for prisoners, and running day camp programs for children. The group flies to San Diego and then rents vans to drive to Tijuana. Once in Tijuana, the group usually stays at a seminary. The focus of this trip is a mixture of cultural issues, Catholic social teaching, and serving the poor. Like ASP, this program requires a year of fundraising and formation. Applications for the 2008 trip will be available in the fall. Go to YNIA Web site
Hurricane Relief Trip (HRT) Ascension is collaborating with Unity Temple to have a return trip to the Gulf Coast this summer. We will be working to help people put their lives back together after the Hurricanes Rita and Katrina. This service trip is open to all high school teens and any parents or adults interested in helping. More information will be available soon...
Public Action to Deliver Shelter (PADS) As the
fall begins, so does the need for volunteers to help staff the PADS program.
Every third Friday of the month, teens help prepare and serve dinner for
homeless people from the area. We meet at 6:30 p.m. at St. John Lutheran
Church in Forest Park (305 Circle Ave). All teens are welcome but we ask
that you RSVP by the Wednesday before. This month's PADS will be taking
place on Friday October 19th. If you are interested in donating food
or your time, call to get your name on the volunteer list. Go
to PADS Website
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Great America Trip - More details coming soon! Keep August 5th 2008 open!
Volunteering We are always looking for help running our events. There are several leadership opportunities for young adults who relate well to teens. We are also in need of parents to help chaperone some of our larger events or participate in our fundraising activities. Adult Volunteers that will have regular contact with teens are required to go through appropriate training.
If you have any other questions or would like to take part in one of our programs, please contact Dan Lawler (Youth Minister) at 708.434.1555 or e-mail.
