New ministry at Saint Rose of Lima Parish gives fuel to the fire that is starting in the hearts of Catholic youth

Friday, Jul. 29, 2016

LAYTON — A Life Teen Mass is coming to Saint Rose of Lima Parish in August.

Life Teen is a movement within the Roman Catholic Church in which trained leaders guide teenagers, young adults and their families into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and the Church.

The 6 p.m. Aug. 28 Mass will be followed by the Life Teen program which “has changed many lives. It has led teens and young people of our Church to have a faith and to be excited about the Catholic Church,” said Rick Pike, the organizer.

With the help of Father Clarence J. Sandoval, pastor of Saint Rose of Lima Parish, Pike has been preparing for this new ministry based on the Life Teen Program for many years.

While living in Germany, Pike’s oldest daughter participated in Life Teen, and after the family moved to Utah in 2009 Pike decided that the program was needed in the Beehive State. 

“It is a really solid build program in line with Catholic teaching, driven by a whole bunch of people that really love the teen and young adult community who are our future,” he said.

The ministry/program is divided for three different age groups: junior high, high school and young adults.

The need of a ministry like Life Teen became evident when Pike, who was ministering at Saint Rose as a catechist in the Confirmation II class, realized that after receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation his students would have no further faith formation.

“It was one of things that truly broke my heart. ... We put a lot of effort into the sacraments, but we didn’t have anything beyond that,” said Pike, who hopes that the Life Teen Mass and ministry will keep the teens and young adults engaged with their relationship with Christ.

“What we are trying to do is to get adult formation and youth formation kind of together, so following the Mass we will have the Life Teen program with small discussions, we will talk about Mary. … We are combining the Mass with the program so we can also open up a discussion about the Mass,” he said.

 “Every youth, starting at 12 years old, is invited to attend the Mass. … If they are interested we want to build up a hunger for God, give a little wind to the fire that is starting in their hearts,” said Pike, adding that wherever the youth is in their relationship with God, “we want to be there to help them deepen that relationship.”

The Life Teen Masses and program at St. Rose of Lima Parish will be held weekly on Sunday at 6 p.m. Adults are also invited to participate.

WHAT: Life Teen Mass

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 28, 6 p.m.

WHERE: St. Rose of Lima Church, 210 S. Chapel St., Layton