Youth Apostolate

“Young Hearts on Fire with the Love of Christ”

We’re Still Here for Your Family in the Midst of COVID-19!

Please feel free to contact Erin Johnson, the Director of Youth Ministry at (703)-773-2005 or youthapostolate@stveronica.net.

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Youth Ministry Precautions to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19

To receive the Zoom conference call link or password for any of our online youth ministry meetings, email us at youthapostolate@stveronica.net.

How do I find out more information about youth ministry at St. Veronica? 

We send out regular email updates. If you would like to be on our parent email distribution list, please let us know. We are also posting up to date information here on our web page.

Are youth activities cancelled during the COVID-19 situation?

No! We’re hosting a variety of in-person and online youth and family activities. See below for our schedule or contact us. We invite all families of youth in grades 6-12 to join us! We are using ZOOM video conferencing as our platform for any virtual events and do so with the permission of Fr. Kleinmann and within the safe environment guidelines of the Arlington Diocese. You will need to contact us to receive the Zoom meeting links and passwords.

We need a current Photo and Medical Form for every young person to participate in either on-site events or Zoom events. Please submit a signed hard copy of this form to the Parish Office. We also need a Permission Slip for every off-site activity. We can not accept these forms electronically.

Photo and Medical Form 2020-2021

This form is required to be turned in one time and kept on file each school year for on-site events at St. Veronica and for virtual events on Zoom. 

Event Permission Slip 2020 2021

This form is required for EVERY off-site activity. 

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Upcoming Activities: 

Parent Orientation Events- In these unusual times, it’s very difficult to make long term plans or schedules. However, our Youth Apostolate adult team has been praying and working hard to develop a faithful, dynamic, and fun ministry calendar for the coming months. We would like to share with you some details about how we believe God is inviting us to journey with families this Fall. All parents of youth in grades 6-12 for the 2020-2021 school year, are invited to join us for one of two orientation sessions. An in person, outdoor dialogue on Sunday, August 16th at 6:30pm in the parish courtyard or a Zoom Rally also on Sunday, August 16th at 2:30pm. You’re welcome to come to either but please RSVP so we know when to expect you! We would like to do this now to get ahead of some of the scheduling difficulties surrounding the start of the coming school year. All feedback is welcome! Contact us for more details and to RSVP. We look forward to seeing you!

Grade Advancement: At this time, we are encouraging young people to participate in our ministry activities based upon their grade for the 2020-2021 school year. We welcome all rising 6th grade students to our middle school activities and all rising 9th grade students to our high school activities.

Letterboxing Hike at Sully Historic Site– Have you ever been letterboxing? It’s very much like an outdoor treasure hunt and it’s really fun! We will be going on two letterboxing hikes at the nearby Sully Historic Site and we would love for you to join us! Our high school adventure will be Friday, August 14th and our middle school adventure will be Saturday, August 15th. Both days, we will be gathering at 8:15am at St. Veronica. We will participate in the 8:30am Mass. After Mass, we will walk together as a group to Chik-Fila and Wawa where we will buy our lunch (please bring money to buy lunch). We will then walk to Sully Historic Site where we will engage in an outdoor letterboxing treasure hunt hike that will take us through the woods and around the gorgeous grounds. We will also enjoy our picnic lunch outdoors at Sully and a hike back to St. Veronica. Pick up is 2pm at the Parish Hall. There’s no cost for this adventure but everyone is asked to bring money to buy their own lunch at either Chik Fila or Wawa (or to pack a lunch). Permission slips for either date are due to the Parish Office by 5pm on Wednesday, August 12th. 

High School Boys Hike at Bull Run – All boys in rising 9th grade-graduating seniors are invited to join us for a hike and picnic lunch on Friday, August 7th. We will gather at 8:15am in the Parish Hall. We will participate in the 8:30am Mass. A bus will take us to nearby Bull Run where we will hike and picnic. The bus will return us to St. Veronica at 3pm. There’s no cost for this adventure but everyone must bring their own lunch. Permission slips are due to the Parish Office by 5pm on Wednesday, August 5th. Permission slips must be received to save your seat on the bus!

Mornings of Mercy and Muscle- Looking for a fun way to visit with friends and serve our parish? We are in need of some muscle to help us with various indoor and outdoor projects at St. Veronica to include but not limited to yard work, painting, cleaning, organizing, etc. Each morning we will gather at 8:15am in the Parish Hall and then participate in the 8:30am Mass. After Mass, we will work on projects until 11:30am. Pick up is 11:30am from the Parish Hall. Snacks will be provided. Everyone is asked to wear modest shorts, modest t-shirts, mask, hat, work gloves, and work shoes. You may also want to bring bug spray and sunblock. There’s no cost to participate but we must have an updated Photo and Medical form on file.  Kindly email your RSVP by 9pm the night before so that we know you’re coming. High School Mornings are July 29th and 30th and Middle School Mornings are August 5th and 6th. 

Drive-Thru Car Wash– Please come and let us wash your car on Saturday, August 1st between 8am and 12noon. All donations will help support our Youth Apostolate activities, in particular to help off-set the cost of bus transportation for our events. Patrons will be asked to remain in their vehicles during the wash. Thank you in advance for your support!

Family Rosary on Zoom– All families are invited to join us every Sunday at 1:30pm to pray the Rosary together over Zoom. Contact us to receive the log in information! 

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10 Tips for Youth Staying Home During the COVID-19 Situation

  1. Create a Schedule– Without school, work, sports, and other activities to attend, our days at home can easily be filled with mindless entertainment and distraction. Make a plan. Discuss with your parents and your family what you would like to accomplish during this time. Set a schedule that includes a time to pray, a time to study, a time to do chores, and a time to play. Stick to the schedule! You’ll be happy you did.

  2. Get Dressed for the Day- Don’t fall for the temptation to stay in your pajamas all day. While that may be fun for the first couple of days, it will likely get really boring and be an obstacle to getting school work done at home. Act as if each week day is a regular school day. Take a shower, get dressed, even put on your watch and shoes! You’ll feel more motivated to get your school work done and relaxing in your pajamas in the evenings and on the weekend days will be a welcome change!

  3. Eat Healthy Meals– Don’t fill up on junk food and empty snacks. Set some meal and snack times. Help your parents in the kitchen. Cooking at home and eating healthy is always important but is especially important now.

  4. Get Some Exercise– Go outside and take a walk or a run. Play sports with people in your household. Workout to an online exercise video. Set a time for exercise every day. Physical activity is super important for your physical and mental health!

  5. Set a Bed Time– Don’t give in to the temptation to stay up really late watching videos or playing games. Go to bed on time on school nights and enjoy a different schedule on the weekends.

  6. Include Regular Prayer and Spiritual Reading-This is so important! Our relationship with God is key and He wants to be with us in the midst of these uncertain times. Often folks say they don’t have time to pray or that they don’t know how to pray. Set aside time every day, right from the start of this time at home, and pray. There are many resources online and lots of good spiritual books to help!

  7. Keep the House Clean and Organized–With everyone in the family at home, the house is likely to get messy every day. Stay on top of this and be a real help to your parents. Do the dishes, keep your room tidy and help with laundry. Keeping your home environment organized and clean will help everyone to be more relaxed and comfortable. A messy room is known to cause anxiety that can be easily avoided by remaining on top of the clutter!

  8. Practice Online and Technology Safety- Be sure that you ask permission from your parents for anything that you want to do online or through social media. More people will be online during these days including people who do not have good intentions. If something doesn’t seem right, stay away from it. Always be open and honest with your parents about your activities online.

  1. Take Time Away from Screens– Make time for silence. Enjoy nature. Help your family with yard work or spring cleaning. Do something fun with your parents and siblings away from screens. Your brain will thank you.

  2. Enjoy this Time with Your Family–Be cheerful and have fun with your family! Use this opportunity to deepen your bonds with your siblings and parents. This time together is a real blessing!

Additional Online Resources for Prayer: 

Live Divine Mercy Chaplet (Steve Angrisano) Daily at 3pm

https://www.facebook.com/steveangrisanomusic/

Live Stream of Silent Eucharistic Adoration

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMBusENP19M&feature=youtu.be

Free Magnificat- Online Daily Readings

https://us.magnificat.net/free

Welcome! We are delighted that you have stumbled upon our Youth Apostolate page! Please know that our team prays regularly for the youth of our parish and their families. You’re always welcome to let us know about specific prayer requests!

 

Check out our promo video for more information about our ministry!

Planning to join us for an activity off site? Please be sure to complete the form below:

Event Permission Slip 2020 2021

Please note that this form must be turned in as a hard copy to the parish office.

Have you ever wondered what we do with all of those permission slips?

Check out this document for more information. do you know permission slip information

 

JOIN US ONLINE FOR IGNITE MINISTRY DURING COVID-19 

“Were not our hearts burning within us while He spoke to us on the way?”- Luke 24:32 

IGNITE seeks to accompany young people in grades 6-8 on their journey of faith, pointing out the loving works and very near presence of the Lord in their day to day life.

IGNITE gathers on Friday evenings (EXCEPT ON FIRST FRIDAYS) from 7:30pm-9pm in the parish hall. All students in grades 6-8 are encouraged to attend. The evenings include food, music, games, prayer, and learning. This year we will also be going to BASH a diocesan rally for youth in Middle School as well as having day retreats, service opportunites, picnics, sports, and more!

RECEIVE THE MOST UP TO DATE SCHEDULING INFORMATION IN YOUR INBOX WEEKLY BY SUBSCRIBING TO OUR EMAIL LIST AT youthapostolate@stveronica.net

 

SEE OUR INFORMATION AT THE TOP OF THE WEB PAGE FOR JOINING US ONLINE DURING THE COVID-19 SITUATION 

 

SERVE 2020- A Junior High Work Camp for rising 7th-9th grade students. July 5-8, 2020. Read more in the registration packet and contact us with questions. Registration is open NOW through June 1st but fills up quickly. Sign up today! Serve Registration Final Packet St. Veronica 2020

Board Game Nights- All youth in grades 6-12 are invited to join us once a month on the 3rd Mondays from 7pm-8:30pm for a fun study break and evening of board games in the JPII Modular. 

LifeGuards– Courageous youth in grades 8-12 are sought to defend the sacredness of all human life. LifeGuards gather twice a month, once to learn about the Church’s teachings on some of the most relevant and important pro-life topics of the day and another occasion to peacefully stand in prayer outside of a local abortion facility. Contact us today for more information! 

Here are the answers to some FAQs:

1. Do you have to be a St. Veronica parishioner to participate in Youth Apostolate activities? NO. Any young person in grades 6-12 is encouraged to attend. So please spread the word! Youth are welcome to invite their friends! 

2. Do you have to be Catholic to participate in Youth Apostolate activities? NO. Any young person can attend! We welcome youth of all faiths and those without a faith background. 

3. Do you have to sign up to come every week? NO. We have many different groupings, trips, retreats, work camps, and service project options. Youth should be comfortable attending whatever activity piques their interest or fits their schedules. Just follow the directions on our monthly calendar to learn how to attend an event. Or contact us!

4. How do we find out more about what Youth Apostolate is doing? Adults are invited to receive a weekly email update with detailed information. Everyone can check the Youth Apostolate page on the parish website or the bulletin. Call Erin at (703)-773-2005 or email her at youthapostolate@stveronica.net. 

 

Adult Volunteers Sought: Looking for a wonderful way to follow Christ, share your talents, and make a lasting impact? Perhaps the Holy Spirit is nudging you to consider volunteering with our Youth Apostolate! We would like to invite you to get to know us better and in turn challenge you to put your gifts at the service of the young Church. If the prospect of engaging in the battle for souls through sharing in a common mission with a team of passionate and faithful adults and youth piques your interest, contact us today! No prior experience or special talents or education required. We provide ministry training and support for all of our adult youth ministers! Email youthapostolate@stveronica.net or call (703)-773-2005.

 

(Training includes but is not limited to all diocesan background checks and  safe environment compliance requirements for adults who mentor young people.)    

 

PICTURES:

Sandy Springs Ropes Course with Youth Orchestra

High School Work Camp Tool Training Day 

 

IGNITE Bonfire Night 

Living Stations of the Cross 

Hiking Trip

Ice Skating

Saints Alive! 

Mount 2000 Retreat 

BASH

 

Board Game Night