Summary: Rock of the Church or ROC is an introductory youth ministry program exclusively for the students of St. Jude Cathedral School. It takes place twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays from 2:30pm until 5pm for 5th-8th grade students. This time is split between learning the basis of our Faith as well as community building. Each day we meet outside in the courtyard, say a Prayer to our Blessed Mother then move into the classroom where the students then have the freedom to spend some time decompressing the day, do homework, have a snack, and socialize as a group to build interpersonal relationships. The students are then brought together near our stage area to open in prayer. This is typically a prayer of devotion of sorts and changes each time so the students can witness different types of prayer; it is followed with prayer intentions to remind the students the importance of prayers for others and asking others for their prayers. This typically transitions into our lesson of the day which consists of either learning about the significance of a given feast day, liturgical time of the year, a story of one of the Saints, types of prayer, and/or basis of our Catholic Faith and Identity. This is usually supplemented with either a scripture verse that gives example of our topic or a story from one of the Saints lives. Once we are done the Students have the freedom to choose their activity time for the afternoon, which consists of either playing a game outside, an art project or board game inside, or playing around with the musical instruments that are available in the Youth Room. The underlining theme of our Mission is Jesus’ Commandment “Love your Father in Heaven, and Love your neighbor as I have loved you.” Students from St. Petersburg Catholic Highschool come by from time to time to earn service hours by supporting me in activities and leading the young ones through their example.
Our Patron Saints:
- St. Peter (the Rock of the Church)
- St. Jude
- Our Lady of Fatima
Key Principles:
- Teaches the basis of the Catholic Faith and Identity
- Teaches the power and utility of Prayer
- Introduces the Saints
- Builds an Interpersonal relationship with Christ
- Builds life long relationships based in Christ among the students
- Plants the seeds of Love for another and Evangelization
- Gives Students the opportunity to learn through their free will
- Gives opportunity for High School students to mentor the younger generation
Goals for the Future:
- Introduction of campus involved service projects (to build ownership in their parish and school)
- More opportunities for Adoration
- Grow the High School mentorship program