High School Youth Ministry (HSYM) 
"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young; but set for the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching."   1 Timothy 4:12-13

The Program

The High School Youth Ministry Program at Our Lady of the Chesapeake is open to students in the 9th-12th grades, and focuses on each student's coming to a better understanding of his or her own faith. This includes centering on what it means to have a relationship with God and the Church, and how to encourage and develop those relationships and how to share that faith with others.

Faith Formation Classes:  Classes meet on Sundays from 6:30-8:30 pm, beginning in September and running through April. Note: Students seeking the Sacrament of Confirmation must be registered in the Religious Education Program.  While our Sunday evening faith formation meetings are part of our Confirmation Process, the meetings are open to all high school students; students do not need to be registered in our Confirmation Process to attend our Sunday evening faith formation.

Each year's Faith Formation Classes are divided into three 6-week sessions with a month-long break between each session. Sessions focus on different topics, but each meeting includes scripture and how it relates personally to the lives of the students. Most of the evening is spent in smaller community groups and each group is comprised of a mixture of 9th-12th graders. At the end of our meeting, the youth journal with one of the adult leaders and then gather in large group for prayer. Friends are strongly encouraged to attend!

Retreats:  We offer two weekend-long retreats each year, one in the Fall and one in the Spring. Many of the students would say that the retreats are the best part of our program. We have fun, grow, share, are challenged, and learn on retreats. The transformation and conversion that we experience brings memories, faith, and challenges for a lifetime.

Outside Activities:  Outside activities abound for our high school students during our session breaks and throughout the summer. Lock-ins, movies, midnight bowling, amusement parks, white water rafting, camping, swimming, trips to Baltimore and Washington, D.C., and numerous opportunities for service.  Family and friends are encouraged to join us.

Parish Involvement:  The students also have opportunities to participate in many areas of our parish community that don't necessarily gather them together as a youth "group." They can assist during Masses as ushers, lectors, musicians and cantors and may serve on many of the parish's numerous committees. These opportunities assist in initiating the students into our parish community on a regular basis, not just for special youth functions.

Invitation to All:  And let's not forget…our Youth Ministry is not just for youth! Our adult leaders (catechists) receive some of the best skill building, personal support and spiritual formation available. Adults serve because they love kids and love God. They also serve because they realize how much they grow themselves. Some adults assist a couple hours a week, some much more, all depending on the amount of time they can offer. Youth Ministry gives the adult leaders an opportunity to respond to God's calling in concrete ways that really make a difference. It also offers wonderful, life-giving friendships with other adults. Please consider being a part of our team. 

Enrolled students should be receiving information about this year's upcoming program by e-mail, or you can call the Youth Ministry office at 410-255-3677, x106 or e-mail for more information.

Registration Information

Registering:  Students active in the High School Youth Ministry should be registered in the parish's Religious Education Program, especially if they are members of the parish. However, friends are always welcome and encouraged to join us.  Please call Tim Janiszewski (410-255-3677, x106) for more information.

Online registration is encouraged and is available by clicking on the link. If you are registering for High School Youth Ministry and do not wish to be part of the Confirmation process, select "None" under the "Sacrament Registration" box.

Note:  Registration is required for your child to be part of the Confirmation Process (you will select first or second year under "Sacrament Registration" when registering for Religious Education).  Be prepared to send a copy of your child's Baptismal Certificate (unless he/she was baptized or received First Eucharist here at Our Lady of the Chesapeake).  For more information on the Confirmation Process, follow this link. 

Payments and Fees:  Upon review of your registration information, an email will be sent requesting tuition payment.

As always, please do not let finances keep you from registering.

Registration Form:  If you are unable to process the online registration, please call the church office at 410-255-3677 to have a form mailed to you.