Youth Ministry

The Catholic Community of St. David the King

Helping Teens Encounter Jesus And Forming Lifelong Disciples!

We will explore the issues that most impact the lives of young people. They will make strong and long-lasting relationships with the fellow teens, who are walking on a faith journey with similar challenges. As always, we use pizza to help transform hearts and minds.

Feel free to bring friends from any faith tradition. All are welcome!

Reconciling the Old and New Testaments!

This Life Night helps teens see how the Old Testament fits into the larger story of salvation history. The session begins with assembling simple floor puzzles within small groups. Just when teens think the activity is too simple, there is an unexpected twist. The combined Proclaim and Break sections are presented in collaboration between a teacher and a storyteller, with content presentation alternating between upfront teaching and Connect Group small group processes. The session concludes with a reflection on our personal pieces of the puzzle. This is a great Life Night to help teens learn more about the Old Testament so they can better know God’s love for them.

Adventure and Worship at Six Flags!

The annual New Jersey Catholic Youth Rally at Six Flags is back! Join us for a thrilling day of fun and worship.

Click here for more information and to register!

What Can We Learn From Saint Paul?

This Life Night takes us on a trip to the days of the early Church. Through a skit version of a trial of St. Paul, teens meet early Church figures and understand how the letters and writings of the New Testament shaped this community. Teens will share their witnesses in small groups, hear from fellow teens, and see how the Scriptures, and the epistles in particular, are relevant today in this culture and their lives. Just as He called St. Paul, the Holy Spirit calls each person to witness to Christ.

Worship with Hundreds of Teens!

This summer, St. David the King’s Youth Ministry will bring a group of 10 high schoolers to the Steubenville Youth Conference in Steubenville, Ohio. For those that don’t know, Steubenville is high-energy Youth Conference where thousands of teens are invited to encounter Jesus Christ through dynamic speakers, engaging music, the Sacraments, small group discussions and fellowship with other teens. I can personally attest to the transformative nature of the Conferences as it was the place where I decided to make my faith my own, finally interiorizing the faith my parents passed down to me. I invite you to attend the Steubenville Youth Conference this summer and see your faith grow in ways you never imagined.

Click here for more information and to register!

Upcoming Events!

Here’s a look at our full calendar for the remainder of the year. Feel free to suggest events at any time!

For more information, please reach out to Matthew Simms (msimms@stdavidtheking.com or 609-275-7111 ext. 202)

New Jersey Catholic Youth Rally Additional Information

FULL Admission Ticket ($75):
Includes: Admission to Six Flags Great Adventure, Opening Ceremony, $25 food voucher to be used anywhere in the park, & Sunday Liturgy. FREE Parking Vouchers for your group (upon request).

For Season Pass Holders:
Season Pass holders can enter the Park with their pass anytime during the event, including entering early for the Opening Presentation and joining us for Mass in the evening. Meal vouchers (that can be used anywhere in the park) are available for $25. They are NOT required. However, without a meal Voucher, your season pass holder would need to purchase food with their own funds.

Reminder that Great Adventure is a CASHLESS facility.

9:00 AM – Gates Open for Opening Presentation
*We suggest arriving no later than 9:15am to allow enough time to park, pick up tickets, go through security and get to the opening (which starts at 9:45am)

9:45 AM – Opening Presentation in Showcase Arena

10:30 AM – Rides Open!
*Last call to pick up tickets | Reminder that food vouchers can be used at anytime, at any food location in the park!

5:15 PM – Doors Open for Mass at Batman Stunt Arena

6:00 PM – Sunday Liturgy at Batman Stunt Arena

7:00 PM – Park Closes

Registration Option 1: Arrive at St. David the King at 8:30 AM to carpool with Youth Ministry (8th – 12th grades). It is imperative we arrive as a group in order to distribute tickets and gain entrance into the park. After the Mass, we will depart as a group, arriving back to St. David’s around 7:30 PM. In order to make the day a reality, we will need parent chaperones to drive and attend the event (parent chaperone cost will be covered by the Church). Registration deadline is Sunday, May 12th. Register on Flocknote: https://stdavidtheking.flocknote.com/signup/161888

Registration Option 2: Travel and attend the event separately as a family. This option allows you to purchase your tickets through the diocese and leave at any point during the day. Register on the Diocesan website: https://dioceseoftrenton.org/njcyr

For any additional questions, please contact Matthew Simms (609-275-7111 (ext. 202) | msimms@stdavidtheking.com)

Steubenville Youth Conference Additional Information

Registration cost is $300 (cash or check – made out to Church of St. David the King). The cost includes the conference fee, food, housing, transportation, free t-shirt, and adult chaperones.

We ask that the teens bring their own money to purchase any additional snacks at the rest areas on the ride to and from the Conference and for any souvenirs they desire to purchase at Franciscan University.

As Franciscan University of Steubenville (1235 University Blvd, Steubenville, OH 43952) is roughly 6 hours from St. David the King without stops, we will meet at 7:00 AM on Friday, June 21st for a brief Mass, departing shortly thereafter.

At Steubenville, there will be keynote speakers by some of the best and most charismatic Catholic speakers you will find anywhere in the world. This year’s Ministry Team includes: Lauren Wright, John Paul Von Arx, Joel Stepanek, Fr. Louis Merosne, and Dcn. Bob Rice! There will also be opportunities to attend various workshops, Eucharistic Adoration, Confession, and Mass!

We plan to arrive back at St. David the King at 6:30 PM on Sunday, June 23rd.

The Steubenville Youth Conference provides a life-changing encounter with Christ. Your Youth and Young Adult Minister, Matthew Simms, attended the Steubenville Youth Conferences the five opportunities presented to him throughout high-school (rising freshman through graduated senior). Ask him personally for his witness, but here’s a few bullet points below from the Franciscan community:

  1. Dynamically Catholic Community
    • By worshiping, praying, learning, eating, sleeping, and having a blast alongside hundreds of other Catholics their age, teens experience a level of community they’ve probably never witnessed before—with the kind of dynamism and energy only teens can bring.
  2. Rock-Solid Catechesis
    • Some of the most trusted and sought-after Catholic speakers like Fr. Augustino Torres, Joel Stepanek, and Sr. Josephine Garrett ground teens in the unshakable truths of the Catholic faith, inviting them to experience the Father’s love for them and calling them to greater holiness.
  3. Worship At The Next Level
    • As good as community and catechesis are, they’re not meant to be ends in themselves but to lead teens closer to the One who’s worthy of their worship. Gifted Catholic musicians lead teens in powerful moments of praise and worship before our Eucharistic Lord—one of the highlights of each Steubenville Conference.
  4. Experiences Of Mercy [And Healing]
    • With plenty of opportunities for prayer, Eucharistic adoration, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, teens can experience God’s healing mercies in the areas of their lives where they so desperately need it. This is a practical and personal way for teens to experience the Father’s love for them, along with learning about it all weekend.
  5. Life-Changing Eucharistic Encounters
    • Steubenville Conferences are all about bringing teens to a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ. We take that seriously and literally by providing multiple opportunities for teens to encounter Christ through daily Mass and adoration. Our Lord’s work is to transform hearts—we’re just here to help facilitate that encounter.
  6. A Journey With Christ And Others
    • A life-changing weekend is special enough but sharing this experience with others creates and deepens Christian friendship. More than just fellowship or community, teens will share a deep connection with each other by having gone on this journey together.
  7. A Pro-Catholic/Pro-Jesus Culture
    • Can we get an “amen” here?! Teens live in a culture where the Catholic faith is often a target for ridicule and opposition—not something that’s easy for teens to deal with on top of everything else they’re going through! At Steubenville, teens will taste a culture where our Lord and Catholicism are not just tolerated but celebrated.

Given the reasons above—all leading to a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ—is there any reason not to send your teens to Steubenville?

Registration is now open! Please register on Flocknote then submit your payment to the Front Office (cash or check) by May 1st. The retreat slots will operate on a first-come first-served basis.

For any additional questions, please contact Matthew Simms (609-275-7111 (ext. 202) | msimms@stdavidtheking.com)

Meet Our Youth and Young Adult Minister!

In July 2023, Matt Simms joined the staff at St. David the King as the new Youth and Young Adult Minister. He is committed to meet the parish’s youth and young adults wherever they are at in their spiritual journey. Through engaging and creative activities, participants will meet other faithful Catholics and grow in the spiritual life. As always, he ministers to those of ALL faith traditions. Feel free to join Matt at any of the upcoming events!

To stay up-to-date on all upcoming Youth Ministry events, sign-up using the form below: