Student Discipleship (Grades 7-12)

🕊️ More Than an Event—It’s a Community

At The Gathering, we follow the rhythm of the Emmaus story:
We gather in friendship.
We listen to one another’s stories.
We recognize Christ in our midst—through food, fun, real conversations, and shared experience.

Whether you’re a regular churchgoer, brand new to faith, a friend tagging along, or someone who just wants a safe place to belong—you are welcome here.

This is for the ones who feel overlooked. For the ones who aren’t sure if they fit in. For the ones who are curious, searching, or ready to grow deeper.

🍕 What to Expect

• Free food + snacks
• Games and real conversation
• A place to laugh, think, and be yourself
• New friends and familiar faces

📅 Coming Fall 2025

The Gathering kicks off in September and happens monthly, 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the Youth Center!

• September 21
• October 26
• November 23
• December 12
• January 25
• February 15
• March 29
• April 26

Come as you are. Leave as family.
We can’t wait to welcome you.

For Students: Emmaus Groups

• High School Girls on Sunday Night 7-8:30 p.m. in the Youth Center
• High School Boys on Sunday Night 7-8:30 p.m. in the Youth Center
• 7th Grade Girls on Monday Night 7-8:30 p.m. in the Youth Center
• 8th Grade Boys on Monday Nights 7-8:30 p.m. Room 148
• 8th Grade Girls on Tuesday Nights from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Youth Center
• 7th Grade Boys on Tuesday Nights 7-8:30 p.m. Room 148

Ever wish you had a place to talk about real stuff with people who actually get it?

Emmaus Groups are small groups just for students in grades 7–12 who want something more than just showing up to church. These groups are built for real conversations, real friendships, and a real connection with Jesus—right in the middle of your everyday life.

It’s not a class.
It’s not a lecture.
It’s not awkward.

It’s a group of people your age who meet regularly to talk about life, ask honest questions, and grow together in faith. Whether you’ve been Catholic your whole life, you’re just figuring it out, or you’re somewhere in between—you belong here.

What Happens in an Emmaus Group?

• You meet with the same group of students and mentors throughout the year
• You eat snacks, hang out, and actually talk about things that matter
• You dive into Scripture, prayer, and how to follow Jesus in your own life
• You build friendships with people who will walk with you, not judge you
• You have space to ask questions, wrestle with your faith, and be yourself.

Why Should You Join?

Because you were never meant to walk alone.

Jesus walked with two friends on the Road to Emmaus—and everything changed when they realized He was with them. Emmaus Groups are like that: people walking together, learning to recognize God at work in their lives.

If you’re looking for a place to grow, belong, and be challenged to live your faith in a real way—this is it.

Ready to Walk the Road?

New groups form each fall and meet regularly throughout the year.
Spots are limited—don’t miss out on being part of something real.

Ready? Contact Makenzie Conner at mconner@stpatsgh.org to learn more and sign up for an Emmaus Group.

For Parents: Why Emmaus Groups Matter

As a parent, you want the best for your child—not just academically or socially, but spiritually. In a world that’s loud, fast-paced, and often confusing, teens are searching for truth, purpose, and a place to belong. Emmaus Groups offer exactly that.

Inspired by the Gospel story of Jesus walking with two disciples on the road to Emmaus, these small groups are designed to help your son or daughter experience the same transformation—through friendship, conversation, prayer, and a personal encounter with Christ.

What Makes Emmaus Groups Different?

• Relational, not informational: Your teen isn’t just being taught about Jesus—they’re learning to know Him.
• Consistent mentorship: Trained adult mentors walk with your child throughout the year, modeling authentic faith and supporting them through life’s ups and downs.
• Peer community: Teens meet in small groups with others their age, forming meaningful friendships rooted in shared faith.
• Faith lived daily: Through discussion, reflection, and prayer, your teen is encouraged to integrate the Gospel into everyday life.
• Support for you as a parent: We partner with families, not replace them—offering resources and communication to keep you informed and encouraged.

The Long-Term Impact

Students who participate in Emmaus Groups grow in confidence, moral clarity, and a deeper sense of identity in Christ. They begin to make faith their own—not just something they inherited, but something they live. And they do it with the support of mentors, peers, and your family.

Want to Learn More?

Reach out to Makenzie Conner, our Coordinator of Student Discipleship, at mconner@stpatsgh.org to ask questions or find out how to get your child involved.

Let’s walk this road together—so our teens never walk it alone.

What Does the Process Look Like?

1. Belong First (Emmaus Groups)

Teens begin by participating in Emmaus Groups, where they build real friendships, engage with Scripture, and talk about how faith meets everyday life. Before preparing for the sacrament, we want every teen to know: you belong here.

2. Discern Readiness

When a student feels ready to take the next step, they’ll meet with Makenzie (our Coordinator of Student Discipleship) to talk about where they are spiritually and what Confirmation means. This helps ensure their “yes” is freely given and personally meaningful.

3. Focused Formation (8 Weeks)

Confirmation preparation happens in a focused 8-week period (January–February), where teens dive into:

• The meaning and power of the Sacrament
• The role of the Holy Spirit in their life
• The call to live as missionary disciples

This preparation includes prayer, discussion, service, and sponsor engagement. Here students will also learn about Saints and choose a saint name. 

4. Retreat & Encounter

All Confirmation candidates are expected to attend a Steubenville Youth Conference in June to encounter Jesus in a deeper way and be spiritually strengthened for the journey ahead.

5. Confirmation & Beyond

The Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated in the fall of their 9th grade year—but that’s not the end. Students continue growing through Emmaus Groups, leadership opportunities, and events like Steubenville Youth Conference or 10:10, empowered to live boldly as disciples of Jesus.

Why This Approach?

Because we believe:

• Faith is more than knowledge—it’s relationship.
• Sacraments are more than milestones—they are encounters.
• Teens are more than students—they’re called to be saints.

Want to Get Started?

We’d love to walk with you. To begin the Confirmation journey or ask questions, reach out to:

Makenzie Conner
Coordinator of Student Discipleship
📧 mconner@stpatsgh.org
📞 616-935-8739

🔟:🔟 10:10 High School Event

For High School Students
📅 February 28, 2026
A one-day event packed with community with other Catholic teens who are serious about faith.

⭐ Shine Youth Rally

For 5th–8th Grade Students
📅 March 22, 2026
A dynamic day of worship, fun, and inspiration just for middle school students. You won’t want to miss it!👉

🔥 Steubenville Youth Conference

For 8th–12th Grade Students
📅 June 26–28, 2026
Join thousands of teens for a high-energy, life-changing weekend of prayer, worship, talks, and adoration. A faith experience like no other!

Baking Sweetness into Student Ministry—One Cookie at a Time!

Do you have a passion for baking mouthwatering cookies and irresistible sweet treats? Whether you’re a grandma, grandma at heart, or simply someone who finds joy in the kitchen, we need YOU!

Grandma’s Cookie Jar is a team of enthusiastic bakers who help make student events extra special by sharing their homemade goodness. From retreats to youth nights and special celebrations, your treats bring smiles, comfort, and community to our students—and help create moments they’ll never forget.

👩‍🍳 Why Join the Cookie Jar?

• Share your love for baking in a meaningful way
• Be part of a joyful, fun-loving community
• Meet other cookie lovers and kitchen creatives
• Create sweet memories for the next generation
• It’s simple: we’ll reach out when treats are needed—you bake when you can!
• Get ready to share your best recipes, and your warmest smile, and let’s make every student event just a little bit sweeter—together.

📬 Ready to Sign Up?

Contact Makenzie Conner to be added to our baking team list:
📧 mconner@stpatsgh.org
📞 616-935-8739

Let’s turn sugar and flour into something truly unforgettable. 💛

🤝 What Is a Small Group Mentor?

Mentors are adults and young adults who show up, listen, encourage, and share their own faith journey with a small group of students. You don’t need all the answers — just a willing heart ready to walk alongside teens as they wrestle with big questions, explore their identity, and grow as disciples.

Each mentor team consists of two co-mentors and a small group of students, meeting throughout the school year. You’ll have access to discussion guides, materials, and ongoing spiritual support—so you’re never alone in this journey.

💡 Who Can Be a Mentor?

Whether you’re a parent, college student, young professional, retiree, or parishioner, this ministry is about presence, not performance. It’s a chance to give back in a way that truly matters—building authentic relationships that can last a lifetime.

🌱 Why Become a Mentor?

Small Group Mentors make an eternal impact simply by showing up with an open heart. You become a trusted adult whom students can count on—creating a space where teens can encounter Christ personally and deeply.

If you feel a gentle tug on your heart or a calling to walk alongside youth in their faith journey, we invite you to take the next step.

📞 Interested? Ready to Learn More?

Contact Makenzie Conner, Coordinator of Student Discipleship, to discover what mentoring looks like, receive training and support, and explore if this ministry is the right fit for you.

To learn more or express your interest, reach out to Makenzie Conner, our Coordinator of Student Discipleship. She’ll walk you through what to expect, provide training and support, and help you discern if Emmaus Mentorship is a fit for your gifts and season of life. Your “yes” could be the answer to a student’s prayer.

Looking for a meaningful way to support our youth but unsure if you have the time for mentoring or attending weekly events? Prayer is one of the most powerful and impactful ways to make a difference—anywhere, anytime.

We are seeking Prayer Warriors—faithful individuals willing to commit to praying regularly for one middle or high school student throughout the school year. By spiritually adopting a student, you become a quiet but mighty source of strength, protection, and grace in their life as they navigate the joys and challenges of growing up today.

🌟 What Does a Prayer Warrior Do?

• Commit to praying consistently for one assigned student.
• Ask God to guide, protect, and reveal Himself in that student’s life.
• Lift them up in prayer even if you never meet them in person.

💖 Why Your Prayers Matter

Our youth face challenges unlike any before—searching for meaning, truth, belonging, and hope. Your prayers can soften hearts, open ears, strengthen courage, and create space for deep encounters with Christ. Your faithfulness in prayer helps shape lives, builds community, and supports the entire parish family.

👵🏻👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Who Can Be a Prayer Warrior?

Anyone with a heart for young people and a belief in the power of prayer! Grandparents, parents, parishioners, and friends—this ministry fits your life, whether you’re at home, commuting, or anywhere else. No special skills needed—just a willing heart.

✉️ Ready to Get Started?

If you feel called to become a Prayer Warrior or want to learn more, contact Makenzie Conner at:
📧 mconner@stpatsgh.org

We’ll provide you with a student’s first name and prayer resources to guide your journey. Your quiet “yes” could change a life forever. Make a lasting impact without leaving your prayer chair—join our Prayer Warrior team today.