Notre Dame Youth Ministry Office
1 Aberdeen Rd. (corner of New Hyde Park Rd.)
(516) 326-3401
e-mail:
Notre Dame Youth Ministry on Facebook - contact Maria at above email address

The purpose of our parish Youth Ministry program is to reach out to our High School age teenagers as well as to our Middle School teens who are in the Confirmation program. The three goals of our ministry “with, to, for and by youth” is to:

  • “Empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today.”  This means that our job is to enable our young by imparting to them knowledge and faith experiences that will convince them that they can make a difference in our world.  Living as disciples means that lives are formed in the radical way of love that Jesus taught. This requires a good deal of confidence and courage.  Pope John Paul II once remarked: “the young hunger for a chance to participate in a worthy adventure.” We agree.
  • “Draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission and work of the Catholic faith community.” The life, mission and work of the faith community are played out on the stage of the home, the parish, the school and other organizations serving the young. Young people have to see that their efforts address the real needs of people.  Once inspired to meaningful actions of service, our teens are a juggernaut of enthusiasm and good will.
  • “Foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person.” It is critical that the young have their spiritual needs addressed within the context of their lives and no in some abstract way.  Therefore, we seek to inspire the young to develop a spirituality that addresses the uncertainty of life. Expecting emotional and spiritual acceptance of a purely intellectual explanation of Catholicism is not realistic for anyone

    • The three goals of Youth Ministry are prescribed by the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops. Hopefully, providing the interpretation of these goals from the text, Renewing the Vision, we recognize that this is accomplished in the context of a caring community.

    “Youth Ministry creates diverse opportunities for high school teens. All are welcomed at any of the events or gatherings at any time of the school year. There is NO FORMAL JOINING other than for those who seek Youth Leadership roles. Feel free to call us at any time to discuss any of our programs.”     Maria Cantasano-Coordinator, 326-3401

FAITH

Teen Mass

  • Sunday 5:30pm in church- Teen lectors, ushers, choir and eucharistic ministers
  • Music Ministry that serves at the 5:30pm Youth Mass on Sunday meets at 4:30pm in church for practice. No auditions are necessary. Contact Maria at 326-3401.
  • High School and Junior High (7th and 8th grade) Sunday programs use the Sunday gospel readings as the starting point of the discussion portion of their meetings.

Retreats
Yearly “Up-All-Night” at Notre Dame, Notre Dame Confirmation Retreat, Parent Coffee Talks.

FELLOWSHIP
Junior High Gatherings
7th and 8th grade gathers in the gym and youth loft from 3:45-5:15pm on scheduled Sundays of the school year for games and discussions.

Community Night

  • Gathers most Sundays after the Teen Mass from 6:30-9pm in the auditorium and teen loft.
    Loft/Gym time, pizza “canteen” and a teen led program or special event evening
  • Bulletin article each week to update on the latest upcoming events.
  • Special Events: Opening Night Celebration, Commissioning of Leaders, Fundraiser, Volunteer Appreciation, All in the Family Night, Christmas Party, Up All Night, Witness Mass, End of Year Party, Conferences, Leader Barbecue, Youth Summer Mission Trip.

SERVICE
Service Projects
Youth are engaged from the time of their Confirmation preparation through the years of high school with agencies that help the poor, sick, imprisoned, foster children, the elderly, and the mentally and emotionally disabled. The service projects are offered throughout the school year, and offer hands on experience of Christian love and charity.

Leadership
Servant Leadership Training and Commissioning for the Notre Dame community available for sophomores through seniors in high school. Training is in May.

Social Justice
Justice Team: Discuss and take action steps that not only educate but advocate for social change in accordance with Catholic Social Teaching.

“Youth must not simply be considered as an object of pastoral concern for the church:  In fact, young people are and ought to be encouraged to be active on behalf of the church as leading characters in evangelization and participants in the renewal of society.” - (Christfideles Laici, #46)