sjoc youth group
This is more than a name…
This is a fun and safe environment where youth have the opportunity to build community with other youth while learning more about their faith and strengthening their identity as Catholics.
The Mission: Lead Teens to Christ
Primary goal: to create a spiritual environment where youth feel comfortable growing in their faith as well as being themselves.
The youth ministry meets every Saturday from 2:30 pm, followed by 4:00 pm Mass. We focus on four areas:
- Human Area: to encourage a positive attitude and allow an in-depth perception of their personality
- Spiritual Area: to encourage Christian values and a closer relationship with God through prayer
- Vocational Area: to encourage decision making and listening to God’s calling, both in Sacramental and in their personal life
- Biblical Area: This is a fun and safe environment where youth have the opportunity to build community with other youth while learning more about their faith and strengthening their identity as Catholics.
We have regular weekly meetings on Saturday afternoons (August- May) on the second floor of the parish office. Meetings rotate through a variety of aspects of the faith, including prayer, service, teaching, and social. In addition to the weekly meetings, we offer a number of activities centered around services, fellowship, and doctrine. SJOC Young Disciples partners with other parish youth groups for special events and participates in various archdiocesan-wide activities.
There are a number of ways to support the ministry:
- If you are 13-17 years old, get involved! Attend one of our regular meetings to get your feet wet.
- If you are an adult and would like to help with the ministry, please contact our parish office or email our Youth Ministry Director, Diana Hernandez
- If you would like to make a monetary contribution to support the ministry, make your check to Saint Joseph’s Old Cathedral and designate your gift for “Youth”
- And most importantly, prayer. Those who are involved represent the young church of today. They are faced with a number of important choices, including the choice of lifestyle and vocation. They need all of our prayers.
Dear Parishioners of SJOC,
I am pleased to introduce myself as the newly appointed Youth Group Coordinator at SJOC! My name is Diana Hernandez, and I grew up in Oklahoma City, with my parents and two siblings. In my family we grew up with the values of hard work, family, church, and creating a space to have fun. I was born and raised in the Catholic church with both of my parents leading the way. However, my faith took root during my young adulthood when I became an active member of Cordero de Dios Young Adult Group in Sacred Heart Parish in OKC. This experience introduced me to people who were equally enthusiastic about their relationship with Jesus.
From a personal standpoint, I earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science/Public Administration from the University of Central Oklahoma and a Master's degree in Leadership/Public Administrations from Mid-America Christian University. I am a proud owner of two beautiful dogs, and an aunt to one niece and three nephews, whom I adore. My journey in the Youth Ministry began in 2013 when I started volunteering as the Youth Coordinator at Sacred Heart Parish. For over a decade, I served as the Youth Group Coordinator, witnessing the growth
and transformation of countless young lives. My passion is to help guide young people on their spiritual journeys and to help foster a closer relationship with the Lord. I am convinced that investing in today's youth is critical to the growth of the church. Throughout the years, I have seen the positive impact of camp experiences, retreats, and summer missions trips, as well as ordinary moments at Wednesday night youth group meetings.
God is actively working in the lives of our youth, and it gives me great joy to be a part of their journey. Seeing them apply the truths of Scripture and live out their faith is a testament to the transformative power of a strong spiritual foundation. As the students mature in their faith, so does my own sense of fulfillment.
I am committed to modeling the Christian life, albeit imperfectly, and serving as a mentor to the youth. Walking alongside them, caring for them, and engaging in discipleship have become some of my greatest joys.
I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the growth and development of the youth here at SJOC and look forward to the journey ahead.
Yours in Christ,
Diana Hernandez
Youth Group Coordinator
