Our Youth Ministry programs are centered on the Youth Mass every Sunday at 4:00pm. We are currently in the process of training teens to have them participate in the Mass as Greeters, Ushers, Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers and Choir. All teen positions are on a voluntary basis and everyone is welcome to be a part of the liturgy.

Our desire is for Sunday Mass to be the start of the week and a “kick off” to our way of living the Mass throughout the week in our daily lives.  We want St. Luke to be a place the young members of our church come because they feel at home, loved, welcomed and wanted; a place not only for Sundays, but for every day of the week.

Music Crew

The St. Luke Youth Music Ministry’s primary mission is to provide a contemporary style of music for the 4:00pm Sunday Liturgy and is open to anyone who wants to sing or play an instrument. The music crew rehearses every Sunday at 3:00pm in the St. Joseph Room. 

Youth Night

The St. Luke Youth program is currently under construction as we collaborate with our new pastor, Fr. Jim Barlow, to implement an effective youth program that meets the needs of our youth.  Please check back on this website to find out more soon.

Youth ACTS

What is an ACTS Retreat?

An ACTS retreat is a four day and three night Catholic retreat presented by fellow parishioners.  The retreat begins on Thursday evening and ends the following Sunday at a Mass celebrated with the parish community.  The St. Luke ACTS program holds two co-ed teen retreats each summer: the Freshman ACTS Retreat which is geared toward youth entering the ninth grade and the Youth ACTS Retreat for youth who are upcoming sophomores, juniors, and seniors.  Talks and activities during the retreat focus on Adoration, Community, Theology, and Service, from which the ACTS acronym is derived.   Holy Scripture and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church are the guides for the retreats.  The retreat takes on the traditions and atmosphere of the parish community sponsoring it.  The retreat helps build a new and deeper relationship with the Lord through:

Adoration – honoring God in the Eucharist, the Word, and the people around us

Community - the love and caring of and for one another

Theology - the study of God through scripture and the Catholic Faith

Service - to God and his people.

Each of the St. Luke youth retreats is conducted by a retreat "team" composed of 30-40 individuals who have attended prior ACTS retreats.  Chosen by the Youth ACTS Core, the team organizes the retreat, conducts the retreat talks and activities, and ministers to the needs of the retreatants during the retreat weekend.

What is the purpose of the ACTS retreat?

An ACTS weekend is designed to help the young church enter into a new and deeper relationship with our Lord and fellow parishioners.  This is accomplished through Adoration and daily prayer, the call to Community in one's parish as a member of the Body of Christ, and Theology in encouraging the study of scripture and our Catholic Faith; all of which emphasize and encourage the virtue of Service to our Lord, our parish, and one another.

Why conduct an ACTS retreat?

The weekend is a powerful and enduring personal conversion experience.  Talks, which draw from the personal experiences of team members, help retreatants relate to the issues and/or successes of their peers.  Activities conducted during the weekend give retreatants a better understanding of the significance and importance of prayer, liturgy, the sacraments, scripture, community, and service.   Retreatants are also given guidance to help them in their faith journey.  It is a powerful community building experience.  The ACTS weekend brings the retreatants to a better understanding of God's love for them, and also develops their need to share that love with others through their involvement in a faith-centered parish community.

How can I sign up?

St. Luke holds both the Freshman and Youth ACTS Retreats during the summer each year.  For more information, contact Joe Sanchez at 210-386-3753.

Volunteers are a great help and necessity in all of our programs. For further information about being a part of or volunteering for our youth ministry programs, please call the parish youth minister at 433-2777 ext. 119 or e-mail at miguel.ochoa@stlukecatholic.org.  Thanks!

Miguel Ochoa

Youth Minister

(210) 433-2777 ext.119