Our St. Vincent de Paul Youth Ministry invites students in 8th grade and high school to participate in meaningful service opportunities in the Vincentian tradition. We want to help youth to look with the eyes of Jesus on the faces of all those in need, and to see Jesus in them also. Youth who gather for service opportunities also spend time in prayer, receive spiritual formation, enjoy social time, and learn from adults involved in parish ministries.
For the latest information, please contact Rachel Hohner, Coordinator of Religious Education, at rhohner@queenofangelschicago.org or join our mailing list at qa.svdp.youth@gmail.com.
Ongoing or annual opportunities for youth include:
- North Side Kairos Youth Retreat (early August) and formation for leaders (spring and summer)
- Holy Fire youth experience at UIC Pavilion/Credit Union 1 Arena (one Saturday in October)
- With the Society of St. Vincent de Paul:
- School Supplies Distribution (one Saturday in August)
- Food Drive Sorting & Distribution (Sunday before Thanksgiving and Sunday before Palm Sunday)
- In liturgical ministries at weekend Masses:
- Singing with the St. Cecilia Singers (September-June)
- Distributing Holy Communion as Eucharistic Ministers (year-round)
- Proclaiming the Readings and Prayers of the Faithful as Lectors (year-round)
- Aides for Children’s Liturgy of the Word (year-round)
- Altar Servers or Monaguillos (year-round)
- With other parish ministries:
- Church Decorating and Environment Committee (Advent/Christmas and Holy Week/Easter)
- Catechist’s aides for CCD/Religious Education (September-May)
- Girl Scouts (school year) and Scouting BSA (year-round)
- Soup kitchen volunteering at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Parish, Pilgrim Lutheran Church, and All Saints Episcopal Church (year-round)
Past projects have included:
- Serving with the Saints series — service opportunities in the charisms of different saints, including a St. Martin of Tours Coat Drive
- Starlight Suppers program of the Night Ministry — soliciting donations, shopping, preparing and serving a meal to the homeless in Uptown
- Overnight Star Wars movie marathon — youth choice of a fun reward activity to celebrate their leadership on the Starlight Supper project
- Walk for charity to benefit the Pope Francis Center in Avondale and learn about its work in the community