St. Mary of Nazareth
High School Youth Group (9th-12th Grade)

• Snacks & Games
• Small Groups
• Prayer & Scripture
• Real Conversations
• Fun & Fellowship

St. Mary of Nazareth’s Youth Ministry exists to help young people grow in a real and lasting relationship with Jesus Christ while building authentic friendships rooted in faith. We strive to create a welcoming community where students feel known, supported, and encouraged to ask questions, deepen their faith, and discover how God is calling them to live and serve. Through prayer, fellowship, service, and discipleship, we aim to help our students become rooted in Christ, radiate His love, and respond to His call in their everyday lives.

If you are in grades 9–12, you are invited to join us for High School Youth Group! We gather every Wednesday (October through April) from 7:30-9:00 PM to grow in faith, friendship, and community through Scripture, small groups, games, conversations, prayer, and plenty of fun along the way. Youth Group is a place where you can be yourself, ask questions, grow closer to Christ, and connect with other teens from around the Des Moines area.

We know trying something new can feel intimidating, so here are a few things you should know:

“I’m super busy and can’t come every week.”
That’s okay! There’s no pressure to attend every single Wednesday. Whether you come once a month or every week, you are always welcome. Each night can stand on its own, so you won’t feel completely lost if you miss a few gatherings.

“None of my friends go.”
Honestly, a lot of students feel that way at first. Bring a friend with you if you’d like — they do not have to attend St. Mary’s or even be Catholic. Youth Group is also a great place to meet other teens who are looking for authentic friendships and a deeper relationship with God.

“Is this basically another classroom?”
Definitely not. While we do learn about our faith and spend time in Scripture and discussion, Youth Group is not two hours of sitting quietly at a desk. We believe growing in faith should be engaging, relational, meaningful, and yes — fun.

High school can be overwhelming, but you do not have to walk through it alone. You were made for more, and God is calling you to sainthood. Come grow with us as we learn to become rooted in Christ, radiate His love, and respond to His call together.

“Ask Jesus to make you a saint. After all, only He can do that.” — St. Dominic Savio

Are you an adult interested in helping our High School Youth Ministry thrive? We would love to connect with you!   

Meet our CORE TEAM!