STAY Newsletter: April 21, 2017
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April 21, 2017STAY Youth Ministry and Confirmation 2016-2017 Year 
Dear Families,
HAPPY EASTER Everybody!! Just in case you've stopped celebrating, this is a reminder that In this edition you will find the following announcements:- Confirmation Session 11 for students this Saturday. See you tomorrow!
- Reminder: Offsite gathering at Sky High for EDGE and Life Teen this Sunday. Permission slips and cost information below.
- - Sign up HERE!
- Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities for youth, including May Day Parade.
- It's TIME TO REGISTER for our Summer events: DYR (Registration is Live!), Life Teen Summer Camp (Space is limited), & Steubenville Youth Conference. Scroll all the way down to Check out these life-changing experiences!
God Bless,
Chris Mardesich
Youth Minister
Did you know?
St. Thomas Aquinas Youth has a Facebook page! New pictures from past events, such as retreats, XLT, etc. Are now up online. Like our page to receive new photo updates!
Check out our page here:CONFIRMATION STUDENT SESSION 11 TOMORROW:
Topic - In-Depth Look at the Saints
All of us are called to be SAINTS, but what does it take to make sure I'm well on the way? Students, join in for tomorrow's session as we put together all that we've talked about as tools to live out our call to holiness as disciples of Christ. We will also provide direction and resources for students wanting to choose a Confirmation Saint name. See you tomorrow!
Offsite Gathering at Sky High, Santa Clara this Sunday:Hey Middle School and High School Teens!
Join the Catholic youth of Palo Alto for a day of fun at Sky High in Santa Clara. The following items are needed to participate:
1. Diocese of San Jose Student Waiver (Click Here)
2. Additional waiver from Sky High online (Click Here). Minimum $16 for 1 hour access to trampolines with mandatory grip socks. Additional $14 for second hour of trampolines ($30 total).
4. Additional cash for snacks inside (Outside food and beverages not allowed.)
Youth are to be dropped off and picked up at offsite-location. For youth needing to carpool, please email Chris or make arrangements with another parent.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES!
Hey Teens! There are a few upcoming Service Opportunities within the parish, including the upcoming Downtown May Day Parade. The community needs your help! Sign up to serve and find out more by clicking on this link.
SNACK SUPPORT NEEDED FOR UPCOMING GATHERINGS
Dear Parents, please consider volunteering to provide food and snacks for one of our upcoming Confirmation, Edge, or Life Teen Sessions. Click Here to go directly to our sign-up spreadsheet! Your support is greatly appreciated!DIOCESAN YOUTH RETREATJune 11-16, 2017
Zephyr Point Conference Center
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE
St. Thomas Aquinas Youth Will be joining hundreds of Teenagers from all over the San Jose Diocese (Graduating 8th graders through graduating Seniors) to participate in the Diocese' largest high school youth ministry event of the year--DYR! We are pleased to announce that the Diocesan Youth Retreat (DYR) registration is officially open! Please follow the link below:
· Please note that the registration this year is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Click on the green ‘Tickets’ button on the upper right corner to register your teen. Parents with multiple teens will have to submit a separate registration for each teen.
· For financial assistance, please contact your Parish Youth Ministry Coordinator / Parish Leader first. Limited scholarships are available through the Diocese. Scholarships will be granted based on need.
Check out some footage from last year's amazing week! LIFE TEEN SUMMER CAMPJune 26-July 1, 2017
Big Bear Lake, CA
We are created for great things. We are meant to live with a joy that penetrates the darkness of this world. We desire more from our relationships and experiences. We want to live a bold life. We crave a love that will never leave us. We are meant to experience life.
Summer Camp with Life Teen is an incredible opportunity to bring your teens into an incredible experience of life. For over 10 years, Life Teen has provided experiences at summer camp where your middle school youth and high school teens are able to able to be free and confident in themselves, develop new friendships with other teens from your parish, and encounter God working in their lives. This is the summer that you begin to experience a bigger and better life than you ever thought possible.
Summer Camp Registration is now ready! Reserve a spot for your teen by filling out this form and turning in your deposit ASAP.
Space is limited (Last year we had a waitlist).
Life Teen Summer Camp Promo Video STEUBENVILLE NOR CAL YOUTH CONFERENCEJuly 28-July 30, 2017
CSU East Bay // Hayward, CA
Each summer, Life Teen hosts six different Steubenville Youth Conferences (East, West, NYC, Atlanta, Lone Star, and NorCal) with the hopes of strengthening and inspiring teens and youth groups in their collective journeys to Christ. Evangelistic in nature, these weekend conferences are both a great “introduction” to the Gospel message for new or younger teens, while offering deep and moving experiences of prayer and fellowship for even your Youth Group regulars.
Cost: $350, including transportation, onsite housing, and t-shirt. Email Chris to register for this event, a first-ever in our area! 
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR CONFIRMATION, EDGE AND LIFE TEEN FOR THE 2016-2017 SCHOOL YEAR WINTER/SPRING CALENDARS AND UPCOMING EVENTS:EDGE, Confirmation, & Life Teen Calendars
LIFE TEEN SUMMER CAMP
Big Bear, CA
June 26-July 1, 2017
Transformation happens here. Powerful Catholic sessions and prayer experiences, combined with ropes courses, kayaking, and nighttime activities will leave you with a Christ-filled experience that you will never forget. BIBLES AND BURRITOS
Select Wednesdays, 4-5pm dates TBD pending interest.
STAY Dermody
Do you own a Bible that's collecting dust because you aren't sure how to use it? Join us after school and we'll show you how to listen to God speaking to you through Scripture! Yes, the Bible is more than just "relevant," it's the Living Word. EDGE OVERNIGHT LOCK-IN
St. Thomas Aquinas
Date TBD, 7pm-9am
Lock-ins are fun, messy, and a great way to invite your friends to church! Bring your sleeping bags, pillows, and get your game on for games that will last through the night. OFFSITE DAYS AWAY
Various Locations
Check the semester calendar (soon to be uploaded on our website) for offsite social events that happen periodically throughout the year. SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
Throughout the year
Check future newsletters for opportunities and sign-ups for youth to give back to our communities! DIOCESAN YOUTH RETREAT
Zephyr, Lake Tahoe
June 11-16, 2017
In the beautiful setting of South Lake Tahoe, these five days away will leave you with faith-filled talks, activities, and no doubt that God is at work in your life. DYR is one of the largest collaborative events put together for the teens of our Diocese. STEUBENVILLE CONFERENCE
CSU Eastbay, Hayward, CA
July 28-30
Have you ever felt the energy of thousands of teens in the same room, on fire for their faith? Just recently, it was announced that a Steubenville Conference would be hosted in our area! Join us for a weekend trip to Hayward, where you'll hear some amazing talks, celebrate Mass, play frisbee with nuns, and grow closer to your faith. 
