Eileen Neal, Associate Director, Junior High
847-907-3448
eneal@holyfamilyparish.org

Designed for 7th & 8th graders, this energetic faith program meets Sunday evenings beginning with the 4 p.m. liturgy followed by small groups led by adult facilitators. The evening ends at 7:00 p.m. Teens explore Catholic-Christian doctrine as well as relevant social issues.  Jr. High groups begin in September and end in April.  All classes begin in small group in various classrooms for catechesis and discussion and concludes in the church for the gospel message.  Throughout the year a variety of speakers and programs are presented.  Parents are always welcome to attend.

It is our philosophy that teens experience God and their faith more fully by going outside into the greater community to perform service to those in need.  While promoting our young people to become disciples of Christ, we strongly encourage them to participate in service opportunities offered specifically for the Jr. High level.

We recommend that each Jr. High school student perform at least ten (10) hours of service within the parish (help with fish frys during Lent, office help in the Youth Ministries Office, helping prepare meals for the PADS ministry, collecting food for the food pantry) or service outside of the parish in the local area.  For work outside the parish, we are offering service opportunities for the 7th graders at St. Joseph's Home for the Elderly in Palatine.  For the 8th graders we are offering service opportunities at Little City Home for the Disabled in Palatine.  Dates and events will be announced throughout the school year.  Also, various opportunities will be offered during the year to assist St. Michael's Parish in Chicago and WINGS (Women In Need Growing Stronger) in Palatine.