HIGH SCHOOL

Youth Group meets on most, but not all Sunday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the youth room located on the far south side of the church by the gym.  It is a time of social and service opportunity for youth between the ninth and twelfth grades of high school and/or any adults (people over the age of 18) who have successfully completed the Archdiocese guidelines for safe environment instruction.  Most of the time we begin with prayer at 7:00 p.m. followed by announcements.  After announcements we have either social (games and/ or hanging out with) or service time.

Conferences are varied each year.  Epiphany parish supports its youth involvement in conferences.  There is always a sign-up time, registration paperwork, and a certain amount of deposits that are required for each    ACYC (Archdiocese Catholic Youth Conference) or the Archdiocese Catholic Youth Rally is usually held each year in the fall.  It is a one day conference where the whole Archdiocese can come together in prayer, learning, and worship.  This year's conference will be on December 3, 2005 at St. Gregory's University in  Shawnee.  The theme of this year's conference is "spread the fire".  Each youth will receive a free t-shirt, lunch, and lots of fun with their friends.  Region X or RCYC (for Region Catholic Youth Conference) is held every other even numbered year.  The conference is spread over three days usually in the fall.  Youth from Oklahoma join with youth from Arkansas and Texas to share in prayer, learning, praise and worship.  It's truly a great experience to see a bit of the larger church.  NCYC (National Catholic Youth Conference) is held in the fall of the opposite odd numbered years from RCYC.  It usually lasts from Wednesday evening through Sunday evening including travel time.  The conference brings together the national church from all fifty states as well as the top in entertainment and learning.  Breakouts, concerts, and shows are the format with incredible instructors and the top level of catholic teachers and entertainers and speakers.  There are usually activity fairs where youth may purchase, participate, and engage in all sorts of unique ways with their faith.  Then finally there is WYD or rather World Youth Day.  This is where youth from all over the world come together to enjoy a variety of activities.  The activities change due to registrations and location, but the summit of all WYD's is the ending Mass with the pope.  WYD's are held all over the world and usually follow a three year cycle.  The next one will be in Sydney, Australia in 2008.  Information for specific conferences can also be found on websites under each of the acronyms listed above.  All of the conferences have as the summit a Mass with the local bishop (s) and a huge portion of priests.  There is absolutely nothing quite like seeing 30,000 people united in prayer and worship.

TxT (which stands for Tuesday and Thursday) is a scripture study moment held on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 7:30 a.m. during the school year. The Tuesday morning program is held at Starbuck's on NW Expressway and Rockwell and the Thursday program is held at Moe's Place at NW 50th and MacArthur.  Come and join us for scripture, prayer, and a cup of joe!

Retreats are held on a seasonal basis.  They all require a sign-up, some registration paperwork, and usually a deposit of some kind.  Most of the retreats are NOT held at Epiphany so sign-up is a must in order to acquire transportation.  The retreats vary in age and content.  Discovery is a two day retreat held each fall for the ninth and tenth graders.  Location changes from year to year, but the content is a deeper commitment to beliefs.  Search is for the eleventh and twelfth grade youth.  It is always held out at Camp Olog and is usually staffed by college age adults.  It lasts from Friday to Sunday evening and also promotes growth and commitment to each other and their faith.  YLTP (Youth Leadership Training Program) is a retreat held at St. Gregory's University in Shawnee for all high school youth.  It focuses on leadership skills in the area of morals, faith, and church.  It is presented by the Buckley Team from St.  Gregory's and lasts one full day.  The other retreats we offer are a service retreat in January and a leader retreat in the summer.  Both of these retreats are put on by the parish to help youth form a deeper commitment to their faith and their church.  They are usually held at Our Lady of the Lake Lodge in Guthrie, Oklahoma.  From time to time there will also be other retreats offered for different occasions, please always check the website or bulletin for information regarding upcoming programs.   

Juice'n is a study of the basic Catholic beliefs in relation to scripture and why they are important to us today.  We meet each Tuesday during the summer months at Jamba Juice on Northwest Expressway and Rockwell at 11:30 a.m.  After we get our juice we sit down and read one of the parables and then have a discussion on the importance of what Jesus was trying to teach us for our time.  Then we work on some type of service opportunity.  We usually end some time around 4:00 p.m.

Youth Leaders are the group of youth who have shown commitment to youth ministry by their involvement for an extended period of time.  These people are the ones who represent the youth on the various boards of the church.   They must attend youth group on a regular basis.   They are voted in by the youth group as a whole. 

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