St. Leo the Great Parish, Lincroft, New Jersey

Youth Ministry

CYO & Jr. CYO

St. Leo’s has a very active youth ministry program, consisting of both a junior high and high school group. The Jr. CYO is open to all teens in the 7^th and 8^th grades. The CYO is open to all teens in high school. Our members attend public, private and parochial schools.

The Jr. CYO program meets on Sunday afternoons, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm, in the Parish Center, from October through May. Meetings give our young people a chance to form and strengthen friendships through a variety of activities. Meetings consist of discussions on topics that junior high teens face in their lives, prayer, refreshments, and gym time. We also go ice skating, skiing, and miniature golfing.

The CYO program meets every Sunday evening, from 6:30pm to 9:00pm, September through May, in the Parish Center. The program is run by a leadership team of adult advisors and teens. Weekly meetings are planned by teens, with the guidance of an adult. Meeting topics run the gamut of things that high school teens today are concerned about.

Weekly meetings are the core of our program and consist of large and small group discussions, activities, refreshments, and a prayer service related to the meeting’s topic.

In addition to our weekly meetings, our teens have the opportunity to participate in Diocesan retreats, conferences, and service projects. Members attend the bi-annual National Catholic Youth Conference. They serve the parish as Readers, Eucharistic Ministers, Choir Members, and Religious Ed. Instructors. They assist at Holy Name Society functions, work the Carnival, and host a Coffee Sunday each year.

Youth Group members can also participate in a boy’s basketball league and a co-ed softball league. We have an annual weekend ski trip, a lock-in at the Parish Center, bowling nights, gym nights, and more.

Participation in our Youth Ministry Program enables our teens to participate more fully in parish life. They can form new friendships and strengthen old ones. Most importantly, our teens can learn more about themselves, their faith, and deepen their relationship with God.

If you are in need of any further information, or you would like to register, please contact the Youth Ministry Leader:

Julia Weihs-732-389-8164