Welcome to Sandusky Life Teen!
Life Teen Mission Statement
Life Teen is an international Catholic movement that serves the Church by providing resources and faith experiences that help lead teens closer to Christ. This is accomplished through a vibrant Eucharistic spirituality and by creating opportunities for teens to grow in their faith.
History of Life Teen
Life Teen began in 1985 as a single-parish program in Mesa, Arizona. As it grew in popularity with the teens, people around the country began to take notice. The simple model of a Mass focused on teens and their families, followed by a catechetical session called a “Life Night,” remains effective to this day. As more parishes inquired about the ministry, Life Teen began offering national training conferences on this new and comprehensive youth ministry model within a few years.
In the past two decades, Life Teen has grown into one of the most prolific Catholic youth ministry programs in the world. Our ministry offers:
Currently, more than 1,050 parishes in 22 countries implement the Life Teen model. Seeing teens come into relationships with Christ is what motivates us to serve.
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Life Teen Spirituality
Because of our deep Eucharistic devotion, Life Teen has developed a spirituality that is:
- 100% Catholic
- Obedient to the Magisterium
- Centered on the Eucharist
- Scriptural
- Liturgical
- Catechetical
- Sacramental
- Focused on social justice
- Comprehensive
Our spirituality guides us in everything we do, both personally and professionally. As a staff, Life Teen models seven Core Values, prompted by the Holy Spirit, that illustrate our spirituality, ministry model and movement:
- Eucharistic spirituality
- Love
- Joy
- Affirmation
- Authenticity
- Evangelization
- Primary vocation
As a staff, we unite with our international Life Teen family in a scheduled weekly Holy Hour, lifting our prayers to God for the teens and ministry entrusted upon us.
On December 9, 2007, the Feast of St. Juan Diego, we consecrated the Life Teen movement to the Blessed Virgin Mary and will renew our consecration annually by prayerfully participating in the St. Louis Marie de Montfort Total Consecration.
Life Teen is a Movement of the Holy Spirit
At the core of Life Teen, you find a spirituality to lead teens closer to Christ that is driven by the Holy Spirit. It is through Christ, with Christ and in Christ that we do all things and give all glory to God. As a movement in the Church, we are guided by the teachings of Christ, His holy Word and His precious Body and Blood. Our entire ministry is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary so that we may be led to the feet of her son with the obedience she exemplified.
On May 26, 2006, Pope Benedict XVI addressed representatives of ecclesial movements with this salutation:
The movements you belong to are many. You are nourished by different schools of spirituality recognized by the Church. Draw upon the wisdom of the saints, have recourse to the heritage they have left us. Form your minds and your hearts on the works of the great masters and witnesses of the faith, knowing that the schools of spirituality must not be a treasure locked up in monastic libraries. The Gospel wisdom, contained in the writings of the great saints and attested to in their lives, must be brought in a mature way, not childishly or aggressively, to the world of culture and work, to the world of the media and politics, to the world of family and social life.