Youth Faith Formation

Home / Faith Formation / Youth Faith Formation
Children’s Programming Registration Now Open

STM IGNITE (6th-12th Grade)
IGNITE engages youth in a relational faith, centered in community, and grounded on the Gospels. The  primary goal of our youth ministry programs is to invite young people into a sustainable and enduring relationship with Jesus that also brings them into a connection with the larger community. We begin our evening with dinner (often hosted by the Knights)! During our GATHER nights, conversation topics are guided by lectionary texts, and SERVE nights engage other ministries in the church or community who work alongside our youth in acts of compassion, social justice, and service. IGNITE meets on Sundays following the 5:30pm Mass (6:30PM – 8:00PM), September – April. Register for IGNITE | Learn more about IGNITE

 

Confirmation (10th grade and up)
The Archdiocese of Atlanta celebrates the Sacrament of Confirmation in the 10th Grade. St. Thomas More offers TWO options for preparing for this sacrament: 1) 9th and 10th grade participation in our IGNITE Youth Group, or 2) our Confirmation Prep Intensive offered on Wednesday evenings.

Registration for the Confirmation Prep Intensive for the 2022-23 year opens this spring. Our program, which begins in August 2022 and ends in December 2022, consists of 10 in-person small group conversations over five months. We meet on Wednesday evenings in Mulhern Hall from 7PM until 8:15PM. Please submit your child’s information here. We’ll contact you as soon as we open registration. Questions? Email: jprince@stmga.org

Youth who wish to be confirmed must attend at least eight of the 10 sessions of the intensive OR 80% of the IGNITE Youth nights for three semesters. (Please note that youth are encouraged to be confirmed when they feel prepared, which can sometimes take some extra time and engagement in their faith. We are happy to work alongside you and your teen on their journey to this sacrament.)

STM IGNITE Middle School Small Group Leaders Needed
We’re not looking for theologians or perfect people. We’re looking for adult parishioners who want to accompany young people on their journey of faith! Core Team leaders gather with five or more youth for 20-30 minutes per meeting to engage in small group discussions or activities (don’t worry – we give you everything you need to lead!) We begin in September and run through May. We usually gather Sunday evenings after the 5:30pm Mass in the youth room. Dinner included! Interested? Take a moment to complete this short form. Questions? Email: youth@stmga.org

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a Montessori-based catechesis model that respects the dignity of the child. CGS believes there is an innate desire in the child for God, and that they simply need the right environment to discover that. Children in CGS encounter Jesus and the God of salvation history through biblical stories presented with materials in the atrium (the CGS term for the gathering space) and make natural connections with liturgy and sacraments, making Mass relevant and connected to our story in Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd. Register for CGS

To learn more about CGS, watch this short video:

STM SPARK (PK-5th Grade)
SPARK, now a cooperative program that benefits from family involvement in various capacities, provides catechetical instruction to children not enrolled in a parochial school. SPARK relies on small group conversations oriented around the Bible story and Gospel message, with special attention to sacramental themes, especially for those preparing to make their first reconciliation and communion. Prayer practices, imaginative play, and other multimodal activities are extended to meet children where they are. Primary concern is to invite children into an awareness of God’s activity in their lives and introduce them to all the ways they may walk alongside Jesus. SPARK meets on Sundays from 9 AM- 10 AM and begins in late August 2022. Register for SPARK | Learn More about SPARK