Here, as a teen, you can belong, discover Jesus, find healing, and make an impact as a leader.
Our mission is to “make disciples”: for you to encounter Jesus and be transformed through following Him and His Church.
Looking for a youth group near you? Contact Taylor Piotrzkowski, to be personally connected to a nearby youth ministry.
Looking for Events? Click Here
Upcoming Youth Events:
November 20th-23rd, 2025: National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC), Indianapolis, Indiana
- Join 10,000+ high school students for THE event of the year (Promo Video). There will be Mass, Adoration, Confession, the best speakers and musicians, fun, and more!
- Cost: $640 (includes ticket, travel, and lodging)
- Spots Full but Waitlist Open: Contact Taylor or Amy to join waitlist
- Parish Commitment and Registration forms can be found here
State March for Life, November 6th, Lansing, MI.
- You and your youth invited to march for the unborn at this the 2025 Michigan State March for Life.
- Since Lansing is so close, there are currently no plans to coordinate buses to attend.
- If you're bringing a bus, make sure to register here (otherwise, you can just show up)
ABLAZE Diocesan Confirmation Retreat: February 7th, 2026, Holy Spirit Parish, Saginaw
- This day retreat will be a powerful opportunity for Year Two Confirmation students to encounter Jesus and the Holy Spirit
- Expect registration and more details by the end of October.
Steubenville Youth Conferences: Summer 2026, Steubenville, Ohio
- Bring your youth to experience a life-changing encounter with Jesus (Promo Video).
- Main Campus 2025 Dates: June 19-21, June 26-28, July 10-12, July 17-19
- Registration opens October 15th
Registration Now Available: Catholic Youth Summer Camp, Summer 2026, Brighton, MI
- Catholic Youth Summer Camp Great Lakes is the perfect mix of fun, adventure, and a powerful encounter with Jesus in His Church (Promo Video). Camp keeps changing the lives and hearts: read more in my column in the next Great Lakes Bay Magazine.
- Middle School Camp is July 26 - 31, and we are reserving and subsidizing 20 spots for middle schoolers.
- High School Camp is June 28 - July 3, and we are reserving and subsidizing 15 spots for high schoolers.
- Cost: $445 (includes $150 subsidy from the Diocese)
- Registration Details Here
World Youth Day, August 1-9, 2027, Seoul, South Korea
- Join our Holy Father Pope Leo, and millions of other young people in Seoul South, Korea.
- For Young Adults, Parish Leaders, High School Youth (must be 16+ and a junior in high school with parent accompaniment at the time of WYD)
- The Diocese has partnered with JMJ Youth Pilgrimages to lead our pilgrimage in early August 2027
- Registration and other details for pilgrims will be announced soon.
- If you're interested in learning more, sign up on our interest form
Interested in starting youth ministry in your parish?
Whether you are a priest, DPL, employee, parent, or volunteer, connect with Taylor Piotrzkowski to receive support and a solution for your parish.
Notice: We're piloting a style of high school youth ministry at St. Michael-Maple Grove that is small group-based, in partnership with Andrew Ministries.
Experience this past year and national trends are showing that this style is ideal for:
- Starting youth ministry from scratch
- Small or rural parishes
- Incredibly busy high schoolers, parents, and youth ministry leaders
- Meeting young people's desperate desire for belonging
- Creating lifelong Catholic disciples
Contact Taylor if you're interested in trying small group-based youth ministry at your parish.
YDisciple: Small Group Youth Ministry Resource
- Parishes now have access to YDisciple, the go-to Small Group youth ministry resource for $199 (1/3 of the normal cost).
- YDisciple specializes in training adults, launching small groups, and making young disciples.
- If you're interested in launching YDisciple, find the details here.
Support for Youth Ministry Leaders:
Working Draft of Youth Ministry Resources
Youth Ministry Leader Coaching
- Taylor would love to meet with you, treat you to coffee or lunch, and learn how to support your ministry.
- Whether you are clergy, a staff member at your church or a volunteer, new or experienced, Taylor can help grow your ministry.
- Learn practical skills on how to reach Gen Alpha, get support for your program’s obstacles, and learn how to grow your own spiritual life.
- Contact Taylor or call 989-797-6639
In-Person Youth Ministry Huddle: November 4th, 12pm-3:00pm, Center for Ministry in Saginaw
- What is Huddle? It's an opportunity to come together to eat (with a free catered lunch), pray, be formed, support one another, and collaborate.
- Anyone who serves in ministry (youth or otherwise) is welcome to these meetings (staff, clergy, volunteers).
- Register Here
Online Youth Ministry Huddle: November 5th, 7pm-8:15pm, Zoom
- This is aimed at ministry leaders who work another job, stay at home, volunteer, or are far away from Saginaw.
- Come pray, learn, support one another, and collaborate!
- Here is the Zoom link for the meeting (no need to pre-register)
Save-the-Date: Small Group Youth Ministry Seminar, February 12th, 12pm-4pm, Center for Ministry, Saginaw
- Everett Frittz, from Andrew Ministries and "The Art of Forming Young Disciples", is a national expert on small group-based youth ministry.
- Clergy, DPLs, Youth Ministry Leaders, Parents, and Volunteers are welcome.
- A condensed evening Zoom session will be planned for those who cannot attend the daytime event.
- More details TBA
Informational Links
YDisciple: Small Group Youth Ministry Resource
Life Teen: Large Group Youth Ministry Resource
Damascus Summer Camp Great Lakes (Michigan)
Axis' "The Culture Translator" - Weekly Email Explaining Teen Trends to Parents and Ministry Leaders