Mishawaka, Indiana
Twenty-five years of Mishawaka teenagers finding out that the faith is theirs. Thursday nights at St. Monica, two retreats a year, and a summer that sends more than a hundred of them to camp.
What Antioch is
Antioch is the shared high school ministry of four Mishawaka parishes — St. Joseph, St. Monica, St. Bavo, and Queen of Peace. It turned twenty-five this summer.
The teenagers run most of it. They give the talks, lead the music, and go find the sophomore standing near the door who does not know anyone yet. Adults are in the room the whole time, and mostly not out front.
A night follows the same four beats every week, which is why it works: gather, proclaim, break, send. Food, worship, a talk from someone who means it, small groups where teens actually talk, and then everyone gets sent home.
Our middle school ministry, Emmaus, runs alongside Antioch. High school juniors and seniors serve there as ministers, which is how a sixteen-year-old learns to lead by leading.
The year
Weekly rhythm, two retreats, one summer that changes the whole thing.
Most Thursdays · 7 p.m.
In the parish basement at St. Monica — the room everyone just calls the Antioch space. Worship, a talk, small groups, and food. Bring a friend; most teens come the first time because someone their own age asked them.
Twice a year
Ten weeks of preparation go into each one. A teen team gives the talks and leads the prayer, host families open their homes, and the adults handle the parts nobody sees. It is the weekend most teens point to years later.
Summer
More than a hundred of our teens went to Damascus summer camp this year. They come home different, and the question every August is what they come home to.
All year
The answer to that August question. Teens come home from camp into Andrew Ministries small groups, and about eight in ten of them are still walking with the Lord and with each other a year later.
Marked on the calendar
Incoming eighth graders night, senior night, the Antioch Olympics, and parent nights. Adoration is on the calendar as often as pizza is.
Grades 6 to 8
Middle school ministry, run under the same roof and the same commission. Younger siblings are not waiting four years for something to belong to.
The kids were the best advertisement.A parent, at a Mishawaka youth ministry listening night
For parents and teens
You do not need to sign anything, know anybody, or be sure about much. Show up on a Thursday at seven. If your teen would rather walk in with someone, tell us and we will have a teen meet them at the door.
Every adult who works with our teens completes the diocese’s safe environment training and background check before they are in the room. The St. John Bosco Commission handles that paperwork so the same standard applies across all four parishes.
Antioch is open to any high schooler in the Mishawaka area — our four parishes, the Catholic schools, the public schools, and the friend your teen brings along.
A night, start to finish
Support Antioch
Four parishes fund this ministry together. Gifts from families and friends of Antioch are what let us say yes to the things the budget cannot carry on its own.
Giving by check or online. Gifts for Antioch are received by St. Monica Catholic Church, 222 W. Mishawaka Ave., Mishawaka, IN 46545. Write “Antioch Youth Ministry” in the memo line, or in the note field on the online giving page, so your gift is directed here.
Antioch is governed by the St. John Bosco Commission, a working team of lay leaders from the four parishes who carry the budget, logistics, and communications so the ministry stays with the teens.
Adult core team
We are looking for adults who will show up on Thursdays and know these kids by name. You do not need a theology degree. You need to be present and be honest about your own faith.