![\"\"](\"https:\/\/denvercatholic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/DSC_0615.jpg\")
After a life-changing experience at Steubenville of the Rockies, Jake Thomas is now actively involved in the youth group at Immaculate Heart of Mary and is discerning whether or not God may be calling him to a religious vocation. (Photo by Kate Qui\u00f1ones)<\/p><\/div>\n
Attending the annual Steubenville of the Rockies youth conference with the youth group was a turning point for Jake.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would say if there\u2019s any turning point that happened in my faith, it would have been there, because that was single handedly, hands down, the best experience I ever had in my life,\u201d Jake said. \u201cSo after that, I made some life changes [to] things that were holding me back in my faith.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI resolved to get my life together. I still haven’t,\u201d he chuckled. \u201cBut it\u2019s a lot better.\u201d<\/p>\n
With the sacraments, the IHM youth group, and a Steubenville retreat as a foundation, Jake began to pursue questions of religious life and priesthood.<\/p>\n
A big decision<\/strong><\/h3>\nJake currently feels called to join a community of cloistered Carmelites in Wyoming but has not yet made his final decision.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been discerning with them for some time. I had the opportunity to go up there last summer. And I have the application to them now, although I\u2019m kind of sitting on it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Though he feels called towards the cloistered life, he acknowledges that \u201cit\u2019s intense.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI have moments where I reconsider [my vocation],\u201d he said. \u201cIn terms of where I want to be, [my goals] are kind of polar opposites: either a monk or a family of, like, six kids.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cVarious elements,\u201d such as family and, of course, girls, are still playing into Jake\u2019s final decision.<\/p>\n
Whether Jake joins the cloistered life or pursues another vocation, his experience at the youth group has helped him grow.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy family often comments about how they’ve seen very visible changes in my life\u2026 because I was at a very very different place in my life than where I am now,\u201d Jake said. \u201cJust a couple of years ago, there were a lot of bad things that I was caught up in\u2026 And now, you\u2019re free of that through Christ, and to be freed of that is like, I\u2019m a lot more calm, a lot more organized and I try to be a lot more peaceful.\u201d<\/p>\n
Youth Group: Behind the Scenes<\/strong><\/h3>\nKatelyn Swisher, the youth group leader, says she\u2019s proud of Jake and \u201cthe young man he has become.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen he first got here, he didn\u2019t really want to be here,\u201d she recalled. \u201cAnd now he is so faithful and so good. It\u2019s been really cool to see how he\u2019s faced things that have come along with such faith.\u201d<\/p>\n
Swisher is down-to-earth, casual, and kind, joking around with the students while also making space for the Holy Spirit to move.<\/p>\n
She often begins the youth group by playing a game with the teens. A St. Nicholas-themed \u201cside quest\u201d interrupted one of December\u2019s youth group meetings. To celebrate the feast of St. Nicholas, the teens snuck up to the sacramental prep room to leave candy in the kids\u2019 shoes.<\/p>\n
Then, Swisher led a check-in with the teens. After sharing how their weeks have been, the group prays together and Katelyn gives a theology lesson. The group often practices Lectio Divina<\/em>, where the teens read scripture slowly and take time to reflect.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/denvercatholic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/DSC_0611.jpg\")
\u201cThe Holy Spirit has really just been working,\u201d observed IHM youth minister Kate Swisher. \u201cGod\u2019s really been moving in kids\u2019 lives. We’re seeing a lot of teenagers coming in, just entirely of their own volition, curious about the faith and about the church.\u201d<\/p><\/div>\n
Swisher said she has noticed the Holy Spirit playing a fundamental role in the youth group. But in terms of her own strategies, she says it\u2019s the \u201csimple things\u201d: community time, giving the teens a space to get to know each other better, and making sure that the adult volunteers focus on building relationships with the teens.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Holy Spirit has really just been working,\u201d she observed. \u201cGod\u2019s really been moving in kids\u2019 lives. We’re seeing a lot of teenagers coming in, just entirely of their own volition, curious about the faith and about the church.\u201d<\/p>\n
IHM\u2019s sacramental prep program this year involves 50 teens, 10 preparing to be baptized, five coming from other denominations, and the rest receiving First Communion and confirmation.<\/p>\n
Swisher says she has spoken with many teenagers who don\u2019t have a faith background or a Catholic background. The students are often reached by another person in their life, whether it’s a fellow teenager or a family member.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re at a point where a lot of people are just lost and looking for something,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd by the grace of God, they\u2019re showing up on our doorstep.\u201d<\/p>\n
+++<\/span><\/h3>\nYour support of the Archbishop\u2019s Catholic Appeal impacts youth formation, ensuring that students of all backgrounds have access to quality, faith-filled education and activities. By donating, you help nurture the next generation of Catholics. Every gift makes a difference. To contribute, please visit: archden.org\/GiveNow<\/a>.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n
Katelyn Swisher, the youth group leader, says she\u2019s proud of Jake and \u201cthe young man he has become.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen he first got here, he didn\u2019t really want to be here,\u201d she recalled. \u201cAnd now he is so faithful and so good. It\u2019s been really cool to see how he\u2019s faced things that have come along with such faith.\u201d<\/p>\n
Swisher is down-to-earth, casual, and kind, joking around with the students while also making space for the Holy Spirit to move.<\/p>\n
She often begins the youth group by playing a game with the teens. A St. Nicholas-themed \u201cside quest\u201d interrupted one of December\u2019s youth group meetings. To celebrate the feast of St. Nicholas, the teens snuck up to the sacramental prep room to leave candy in the kids\u2019 shoes.<\/p>\n
Then, Swisher led a check-in with the teens. After sharing how their weeks have been, the group prays together and Katelyn gives a theology lesson. The group often practices Lectio Divina<\/em>, where the teens read scripture slowly and take time to reflect.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Holy Spirit has really just been working,\u201d observed IHM youth minister Kate Swisher. \u201cGod\u2019s really been moving in kids\u2019 lives. We’re seeing a lot of teenagers coming in, just entirely of their own volition, curious about the faith and about the church.\u201d<\/p><\/div>\n Swisher said she has noticed the Holy Spirit playing a fundamental role in the youth group. But in terms of her own strategies, she says it\u2019s the \u201csimple things\u201d: community time, giving the teens a space to get to know each other better, and making sure that the adult volunteers focus on building relationships with the teens.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Holy Spirit has really just been working,\u201d she observed. \u201cGod\u2019s really been moving in kids\u2019 lives. We’re seeing a lot of teenagers coming in, just entirely of their own volition, curious about the faith and about the church.\u201d<\/p>\n IHM\u2019s sacramental prep program this year involves 50 teens, 10 preparing to be baptized, five coming from other denominations, and the rest receiving First Communion and confirmation.<\/p>\n Swisher says she has spoken with many teenagers who don\u2019t have a faith background or a Catholic background. The students are often reached by another person in their life, whether it’s a fellow teenager or a family member.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re at a point where a lot of people are just lost and looking for something,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd by the grace of God, they\u2019re showing up on our doorstep.\u201d<\/p>\n Your support of the Archbishop\u2019s Catholic Appeal impacts youth formation, ensuring that students of all backgrounds have access to quality, faith-filled education and activities. By donating, you help nurture the next generation of Catholics. Every gift makes a difference. To contribute, please visit: archden.org\/GiveNow<\/a>.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n+++<\/span><\/h3>\n