Youth Programs and Events
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The Diocese of Baton Rouge's Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry offers numerous ways for youth to dive deeper into their faith. Take a look at some of our programs that you can look forward to throughout the year.
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Red Stick Catholic Fest
Red Stick Catholic Fest is the Diocese of Baton Rouge's annual high school youth conference that celebrates the unique spirituality of Louisiana's capital city. The event features live entertainment, breakout sessions, powerful keynote speakers and adoration.
Return to Love 2021 took place on October 30, 2021, at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Prairieville. The event centered around the Gospel of the Prodigal Son and what it means to be sons and daughters of God the Father. Speakers for the event included Erin Franco, Avera Santo, Kathleen Lee, Deacon Michael Parker, Dr. Brian Pedraza and West Giffin.
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In 2020, due to COVID-19, RSCF was hosted in a hybrid fashion, allowing for parishes that were comfortable meeting in person to meet in person while others could host the event 100% online. Participants enjoyed talks from Fr. Josh Johnson and Avera Santo, took part in a Diocesan-wide trivia game hosted by The Quizzical Papist (Fr. Brad Doyle) and ended their night in adoration. If you are interested in receiving access to the Red Stick Catholic Fest website, please email Nicole Jones at njones@diobr.org.
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Junior High Retreat
The Junior High Retreat, held at Camp Abbey in Covington, is a diocesan-organized retreat experience for middle school students in 6th-8th grade. This weekend retreat is a great opportunity for young students to encounter Christ and each other as they grow in love for Him and His Church.
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Society of St. John (SSJ)
The Mission of SSJ
The Society of St. John exists to build a community among those with a love for Christ through mentorship, communal life, faith formation and pastoral action. The Society will be an exercise in faith, lived through the reality and beauty of the Church and through a community of peers, all striving to grow closer to Christ and lead others to the Kingdom of God. Members will form a “rule of life” and hold each other accountable in word and deed. In their localized mentor groups, they will have the opportunity to expand on this rule of life, hold each other accountable to the rule, dive deeply into formation and enter into intentional prayer and service with and for their community.
Above all, the primary mission of this Society is to develop an authentic community in which each member’s true Catholic Identity can be expressed and explored free from fear and judgement. This Identity is to be molded and forged through mentorship and support, deepening their encounter with Jesus. The focus of the lived aspect of the Society is to bring that spirit of encounter and community into one’s family, school, friend groups, clubs, sports, etc.
The Four Pillars of SSJ
The life of the Society begins with encounter, is nurtured in community, is cultivated through discipleship and is forged in virtue.- We will strive to enhance our encounter with the risen Lord through faithful prayer, authentic relationships and intentional, apostolic service.
- We will support our brothers and sisters in this community when we are most in need, and call each other to mission when led astray.
- We will enter into true discipleship with Christ Jesus, under the mentorship of those dedicated to His service, and model His sacred love and mercy in all that we do.
- We will root ourselves in virtue, a beautiful disposition to do good, in order to lay down our comforts and build the Kingdom of God in the present moment.
Applying to SSJ (Members and Mentors)
If you are interested in applying for the Society of St. John or interested in mentoring teens on their encounter with Christ, please email West Giffin at wgiffin@diobr.org.
Mentors should possess these qualities:- Age 21+
- Person of FAITH: a witness to Catholic Christian faith and someone who actively strives to live this faith in every situation
- Desire and passion to SHARE the beauty of the faith with others in a communal atmosphere.
- Willingness to LEAD, accompany and hold youth accountable to the community practices and challenges.
- Ability to be CREATIVE and innovative with the way in which your particular mentor group lives out their unique charisms and rules of life.
- Must be Child Protection Certified through the Diocese of Baton Rouge
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