SWYM: Saint William Youth Ministry

Greetings Parents and Teens of Saint Williams Catholic Church,

My name is Chris Bartlett and I am the director of Youth Ministry at Saint William Catholic Church.  As I enter into my 10^th year in Youth Ministry, I also enter into my first year at this great parish.  My background at the Diocese and other parishes as well as my formation in Theology puts me in a place eager to serve the Saint William’s community.  I have had the opportunity to meet some of you, but I hope to grow to know you and your families over the coming months.

As we begin a new year we embark on an opportunity for personal growth.  There are many elements present in Saint Williams Youth Ministry that allow for personal and spiritual growth for Youth, Parents and our Parish.  Sunday evenings will no longer be called High School ‘classes’ or High School ‘RE’.  The approach of the Sunday evening programing for High School students seeks to be more comprehensive to better meet the needs of our Youth as well as to better reflect the Church’s vision of Youth Ministry.  Sunday evenings will be a youth group gathering.  That group can be called S.W.Y.M. (Saint Williams Youth Ministry) pronounced ‘swim’.  Naming the youth program gives it its own identity.  It provides a clear distinction from other ministries as teenagers have a specific set of needs that must be met and gifts that must be fostered through the ministry.  S.W.Y.M. will be moving from a classroom style catechesis to a Youth Night Model.  The youth night model better allows for teens not only to learn their faith, but also to wrestle with it, express it and live it in a safe, Christ-centered environment.  Our youth will be surrounded by adults who will meet the teen where they are at, no matter where it is in their faith journey, and walk with them seeking to draw them closer to our Lord and His Church.  Teens will also have opportunities to share their faith and strengthen it through discussion.  Most importantly, our youth will have a weekly opportunity to celebrate their faith through fellowship and prayer.  I look forward to your teenager, not just attending S.W.Y.M., but contributing their gifts and talents to S.W.Y.M. throughout this next year.  

Mission Statement

S.W.Y.M. seeks to lead all teens to Christ through creative Catechesis, Evangelization, and Fellowship.  S.W.Y.M. not only seeks to introduce teens to Christ but also give them the tools to foster a life-long relationship with Christ in His Church.  Throughout all the activities, events and teaching moments, S.W.Y.M. seeks to bring Christ’s love to the teens.