YOUTH Ministry

“You (young people) are the promise of hope for so many of us. The world looks to you as you look around yourselves and say: we need you, we want you to come together to share with us in this common mission, as Church and in society, of announcing a message of true hope and of promoting peace, promoting harmony, among all peoples.”

— Pope Leo XIV's address to young people, June 14, 2025

St. Mary’s Youth Ministry - Our goal is to lead all teens of our parish closer to Jesus Christ by bringing teens to the celebration of the Eucharist, to the teachings of Christ and the Church, and to an experience of being loved and accepted within the community by:

  • Empowering young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today
  • Drawing young people to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic faith community
  • Fostering the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person 


YOUTH MINISTRY - Grades 7-12

Contact: Christopher Jenkins |  cjenkins@stmarysrichmond.org


Youth Nights (Youth Faith Formation for Grades 7-12)

All 7th - 12th Grade youth are invited to participate in our Sunday Youth Night program series. These evenings provide the youth of parish with the opportunity to learn, eat, pray, play, serve, and grow together in faith and live as disciples of Jesus in our world today.

  • Program runs 6-8pm, starting in the Lower Commons
  • Dinner is provided
  • CLICK HERE for calendar
  • This gathered program serves as the Regular Formation option required for all high schoolers not attending Catholic high school preparing for Confirmation this year.
  • CLICK HERE to register for Youth Faith Formation


Youth Leadership Team

Are you a high school junior or senior  who wants to help lead your peers and serve as a member of our Youth Leadership Team, helping with Youth Nights by leading small group discussions, prayer, etc.? Want to live out your baptismal call and do some service? Need some service hours for school or college scholarships? If you’ve received Confirmation, and the answer is yes, then this might be for you. See Youth Leadership Team option as a registration option.


Adult Core Team

Are you a parish adult (18+) who wants to help support our teens in their journey of faith with Jesus Christ? We have a talented and generous team of adults and are looking to include new members to support the various activities planned for this year for our teens. We are seeking Catholic adults to respond to their baptismal call and serve! Very simply, a Core Team member's job is to share Jesus Christ with our teens. You don't have to be an expert on Scripture, and you don't need to have a theology degree. Your responsibility is to care for teens and show them that they are loved by God. Must VIRTUS trained and screened – to register for that trainings go HERE and select “Richmond, VA (Diocese) to get started. To volunteer, email Christopher Jenkins, Director of Youth Ministry, or 804-740-4044 x116


Youth Bible Study

NEW INFORMATION COMING SOON

Sharing the Word of God as we gather around the table and share a meal. If this idea is interesting to you, please join us for the Teen Bible study. Twice a month, we will meet at a home, share a meal and discuss the Sunday readings. Students currently in the 8th grade or older are welcome to join us as we discuss the scripture and how it applies to our daily lives. On the first Sunday of the month, we will meet at 6:30 for dinner and discussion. On an additional Sunday each month we will gather at 12:30 p.m. for brunch and discussion. There is no homework and the readings will be provided to participants. You are welcome to come to any or all sessions as your schedule permits. Parents are welcome to join as well. There will always be at least 2 VIRTUS trained adults at each meeting. For more information and to sign up to attend, please contact Anne-Marie Condlin at amcondlin@stmarysrichmond.org


Confirmation Preparation

Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation is open to all students, grade 10 and above. For more information,

contact Christopher Jenkins |   cjenkins@stmarysrichmond.org

or

CLICK HERE for information about this year's Confirmation Preparation program.


Diocesan Youth Conference

The Diocesan Youth Conference (DYC) is an annual weekend event that gathers high school youth from Diocese of Richmond parishes in one central location. DYC is a highly energetic and engaging opportunity for our high school teenagers to gather as a larger Church community and celebrate the richness of our Catholic faith.

  • SAVE-THE-DATE… “DYC”  is Fri – Sun, Feb. 20-22, 2026, at the Richmond Convention Center
  • Event registration typically occurs in late fall before the holidays.
  • To be our group added to a DYC 2026 interest list, email Chris Jenkins
  • CLICK HERE for the most recent info about DYC 2026 - Coming Soon


Catholic Heart Work Camp

CHWC provides youth with safe and enjoyable Catholic mission trips where they can grow spiritually, serve the community, meet other members of the Catholic Church, and renew their faith in God’s love. Our campers play hard and work harder while transforming themselves and the world around them.

  • Last June, over 50 campers served the community of Knoxville, Tennessee.
  • To be added to a CHWC 2026 INTEREST LIST, email Chris Jenkins
  • CLICK HERE for the most recent info about DYC 2026 Coming Soon


Calendars, Forms, etc

Coming Soon