Youth Ministry & Faith Formation

We wanted to share some exciting updates regarding the future of Youth Ministry and Faith Formation within our parish and ACC. As we continue to look toward the future, we are committed to strengthening and growing our ministry opportunities for children, youth, and families. To help us accomplish this vision, Jason Prigge, (currently the Youth and Young Adult Director for Sacred Heart and the ACC) will become the Lead Youth Minister for both Sacred Heart and St. Francis Xavier. In this role, he will provide leadership, support, and direction for youth ministry efforts across both parishes.
Our intention is to hire an additional staff member who will work alongside Jason, focusing specifically on youth ministry at SFX and serving as the primary point of contact for local events, activities, and programming. This person will collaborate closely with our ACC ministry teams to develop, implement, and bring youth ministry to life here at SFX. In addition, this new staff member will work closely with Melissa in developing and implementing our monthly Rooted Family Faith Formation nights and will assume leadership of our Confirmation program. We believe this collaborative approach will allow us to better serve our youth, families, and volunteers while continuing to build a vibrant culture of faith throughout our parish community.If all goes according to plan and we are able to fill this position, Sandee will transition back to focusing solely on Pastoral Ministry at SFX and will also expand her pastoral ministry responsibilities to include St. Stephen. Until this position is filled, continue to reach out to Melissa with any questions regarding FaithFormation, Confirmation, or summer youth activities. Melissa can assist with registrations, event information, and any immediate needs. Jason is also happy to answer questions about the future of youth ministry and can be reached at jprigge@sacredheartsaukrapids.org.
We are very excited about what lies ahead for Youth Ministry and Faith Formation in our parish. While change can sometimes be challenging, it is often necessary for growth. Our hope is that these changes will strengthen our ability to accompany young people and families as they grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ and become active members of our Catholic community.