Programs for Youth in Grades 6-10

To enroll your child in these programs, please contact our Director of Faith Formation, Kristin Johnson.

Faith Formation for Youth

Our Faith Formation Program for youth is a collaboration of five parishes in the city of La Crosse: Blessed Sacrament, Cathedral, Holy Trinity, Mary, Mother of the Church, and Roncalli Newman.

Both middle and high school youth meet in-person weekly. Sessions take place on Wednesday evenings from 7:00-8:30 pm in the Blessed Sacrament Parish Center. Students from all five parishes break into cohorts who meet with the same adult facilitator each time, so that a mentoring relationship is formed. Many adult volunteers, including several college students, facilitate by leading small group discussions and activities. Although the two age groups meet at the same place and time, they are separated for their distinct programs. This allows each group to receive material/lessons suitable to their age.

Samuel Obert directs our Faith Formation program for youth in grades 6-10.

Retreats Coming Up for Youth

Overnight Retreat for Middle Schoolers, April 4-5: Any 6th-8th grade youth are invited to partake in this transformative overnight retreat. The youth will engage in their faith in fun and interactive ways! This is a great way for your middle schoolers to make memories with their friends all while being inspired to better love and follow Jesus. Flyer here (PDF). The retreat will take place at Mary Mother of the Church parish. Registration is online. The registration deadline is March 28th and the cost is $20. For more information, contact Samuel Obert at sobert@mmoclacrosse.org.

High School Youth Conference, July 25-27: High School youth (current 8th-12th grade students) are invited to attend this impactful conference this summer in St. Paul, MN. Flyer here (PDF). Our group will bus to the conference on Friday morning and return Sunday afternoon. While at the conference, high school teens will hear lively and enriching talks, participate in small group discussion with peers, and grow in their love for Jesus via prayer, worship, adoration, and the Sacraments. Limited spots are available! For more information or instructions to register (by April 30), contact Samuel Obert at sobert@mmoclacrosse.org. Hosted by Steubenville Conferences.➚

Sacrament of Confirmation

Our Confirmation Program prepares grade 9-10 students in Faith Formation, home schooling, and Aquinas High School to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. This is the Catholic sacrament of initiation into adult discipleship. The two-year process of preparation involves classes, service, liturgical ministry, reflection, and dinner retreats. Typically, Confirmation is conferred upon students in the 10th grade during the Easter Season or as the Bishop's schedule provides. Participation by students, parents and sponsors in meetings and retreats is required.

Diocese of La Crosse Guidelines for Reporting Instances of Child Abuse

The Diocese of La Crosse, through its policies and procedures➚, seeks to provide a prompt, appropriate and compassionate response to reporters of sexual abuse of a child by any diocesan agent (bishop, priest, deacon, employee, religious, vendor or volunteer). Anyone wishing to make a report of an allegation of sexual abuse should send that report to Ms. Teresa Brown, Complaint Intake Agent, at the Diocese of La Crosse, P.O. Box 4004, La Crosse, WI 54602-4004. Alternatively, you can contact Ms. Brown at 608.791.0179 or intakeagent@diolc.org. The reporting form is available through the Diocese of La Crosse Office of Safe Environment or on the diocesan website at: diolc.org/safeenvironment/reporting➚. Individuals are also encouraged to take their reports directly to civil authorities. Copies of the diocesan policy are available through your local parish and on the diocesan website➚. If you have any questions about the Diocese of La Crosse and the implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, please contact Teresa Brown, Diocese of La Crosse, at 608.791.2679; or tbrown@diolc.org.