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Peer Ministry

SSJ Youth Peer Ministry is a team of high school students committed to living out the Sacrament of Confirmation, sharing the Good News, serving their parish community, and growing in faith.

If you are a junior or senior in High School who has received the Sacrament of Confirmation you are invited to join! Peer Ministry meets once every 4-6 weeks on Monday nights. We gather to catch up as a team, grow in faith & leadership, and plan special events for SSJ Youth. We also encourage you to get involved in our various Faith Formation ministries.

If you have any questions or know of someone who might be called to be a part of the Peer Ministry team please contact Andrew Watson – awatson@ssj.org

 

The Legacy of Peer Ministry

Peer Ministry originated from the Gospel story of: the Road to Emmaus. Peer Ministers share their faith experiences and help others to recognize Jesus is always in our midst. In 2009 a few newly confirmed teens had recognized the presence of Christ in their lives and wanted to share it with others. They came together and began to share their faith with peers preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation; little that they knew their leadership would create the Peer Ministry and leave a legacy. They journey with teens preparing for Confirmation, actively serving their parish community while growing in their faith, developing their relationship with God and creating a support system for each other. Today, the team grows larger and Peer Ministers continue to provide hope for the peers while leaving their legacy for those yet to enter high school.

 

Testimonies

When I look at peer ministry, I don’t just see small group leaders and young adults coming together to work with Confirmandi, I see a community of incredible people who care about each other and help each other come closer to Christ. I see a group of friends from all different schools, backgrounds, and walks of life having fun and sharing experiences to get to know each other better. You don’t need to be a natural born leader to join peer ministry. Different people connect in different ways and the peer ministry program is incredibly diverse in personalities.

Peer ministry has changed the way I look at not only my faith but the ways I could share that faith with my peers. The best part of peer ministry is that when young adults go off to college like I did they are still an integral part of the peer ministry group and are constantly supporting the small group leaders. In peer ministry I have met some of my closest friends and even though we live across the country we could meet up tomorrow and pick up like we never left.

It has been said time and time again that peer ministry is a once in a lifetime experience but it could not be more true. In peer ministry you will make connections that go so far beyond just church, and you will gain a group of people who will love and support you for the rest of your life. If you have the chance to join peer ministry I would 100% take it I know you will have as much fun as I did (: ”  – Ben Teske

 

While I was in Confirmation, I always looked up to the Peer Ministers. They seemed so connected with the Lord and with the faith community that I knew I wanted to be like them. So I applied to be part of the team, and before I knew it, I was on retreat with the other new Peer Ministers.

I can honestly say that it was one of the best decisions of my life. The night after the Peer Ministry retreat, I had what we call a “God moment”, in which I felt the presence of the Lord and I felt affirmed in my choice to use Peer Ministry as an opportunity to deepen my faith and my relationships within my faith community. During the subsequent two years, I met amazing new people (including my best friend), I grew closer in my relationship with God, and I was given the privilege of helping my Confirmandi through their faith journey.

If you feel like you want to get to know God better, or if you want to join ministry as an active part of the Church, or if you want to meet cool new friends that share your love for Jesus, or even if you just want service hours for college, you should consider joining Peer Ministry. This is a once in a lifetime experience that will impact you in so many more ways than you can imagine, and I’m certain that anyone who joins will love it as much as I did.” – Eva Valinksy

Where to find us

Chapel

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