Life Teen is more than a youth group—it’s a movement that leads teens closer to Christ through faith, friendship, and service. Rooted in the teachings of the Catholic Church, Life Teen follows a four-year catechetical cycle, ensuring teens encounter new and relevant topics each year. Whether you're new, preparing for sacraments, or already confirmed, Life Teen is for you!

📅 Sundays at 6 PM – A dynamic encounter with Christ!

The Life Teen Mass is a celebration for the whole family—not just teens. It’s a powerful experience where teens actively participate as readers, altar servers, greeters, musicians, and more!

The highlight of every Mass? The Eucharist. Just as the Apostles were transformed at Pentecost, the Eucharist strengthens us to live our faith boldly.

Life Teen isn’t just another class—it’s an immersive faith experience designed to fit into your schedule. Teens can choose to attend one or both of our weekly gatherings, each offering something unique:

✔ Life Night – Sundays at 7 PM 

• Large-group sessions with dynamic talks, faith discussions, and fun activities.
• A mix of catechetical, social, and real-world issue nights to deepen faith & build friendships.

✔ Mid-Week Connect – Wednesdays at 7 PM

• A smaller, more personal setting for prayer, Scripture reflection, and deeper discussions.
• Perfect for those who prefer a quieter, more focused environment or want to explore faith topics in a different way.

How It Works:
📌 Teens can mix and match! Every session covers a different topic, so missing one doesn’t mean falling behind.
📌 Need sacramental prep? Both Life Nights and Mid-Week Connect count toward the 30 meetings per phase.
📌 Busy one week? No problem! You can attend either Sunday or Wednesday—or both!

📍 Check out our full calendar here and start your journey today!

Life Teen is designed to meet teens wherever they are on their faith journey. Our three-phase system helps guide them step by step, ensuring they grow in faith, knowledge, and action—all while moving at their own pace.

How It Works:
✔ Teens progress when they’re ready, based on attendance and engagement.
✔ Personalized tracking – Each teen receives a progress report to monitor their journey.
✔ Small Group Support – Every teen is part of a small group with a dedicated Core Team member (and sometimes a JCore teen leader) to guide and support them.

1️⃣ Disciples Phase – Laying the Foundation
For teens just beginning their sacramental journey. Focuses on:
✔ Learning Christ’s teachings
✔ Building virtue & prayer habits
✔ Understanding spiritual discipline

2️⃣ Purpose Phase – Living the Faith
The final stage of sacramental preparation, helping teens:
✔ Deepen their relationship with Christ
✔ Actively live out their faith
✔ Discern God’s call for their future

3️⃣ Apostles Phase – Faith in Action
For teens who have received their sacraments and want to continue growing. This phase emphasizes:
✔ Exploring how the Holy Spirit is working in their lives
✔ Strengthening their Catholic identity
✔ Finding ways to serve & lead in the Church

These requirements must be completed by August 15 in order to move to the Purpose Phase.

To Progress to the 2nd Spiritual phase teens will need to:

• Attend at least 30 meetings (Life Nights and/or Midweek Connect)
• Attend 1 Super Sunday (4 offered each year)
• Complete 4 Practicums during this phase (over 15 to select from)
• Turn in 30 tithing envelopes at Sunday Mass
• Attend 1 Day Retreat
• Complete the "Who I am" Form
• Select a Saint Name
• Turn in their Baptism Certificate
• Select and complete the Sponsor Affidavit Form

These requirements must be completed by March 15 of the year you want to receive the Sacrament.  

To ensure your teen is fully prepared to receive the sacraments, they will need to:

• Attend at least 30 meetings (Life Nights and/or Midweek Connect) in this phase.
  • Meeting count resets after the disciples phase
• Complete 1 Super Sunday (4 offered each year)
• Complete at least 6 practicums during this phase
  • Practicums resets after the disciples phase
• Turn in 30 Tithing envelopes at the Sunday Mass
• Attend 1  day retreat
  
• Write a letter to the bishop requesting the sacrament (opens 2 months before Confirmation)
• Complete the Sponsor Outing Form by January 31

“Faith without works is dead.” – James 2:26

Service is at the heart of our Catholic faith. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2447) teaches that acts of charity—feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, and comforting the afflicted—are essential expressions of our love for Christ. As St. Teresa of Calcutta said, “Faith in action is love, and love in action is service.”

At Life Teen, we believe that serving is more than just volunteering—it’s a sign of spiritual growth and a way to live out Christ’s call to love our neighbor. Many saints grew in holiness through serving others, and we invite every teen to do the same.

📖 What Are Practicums?
Practicums are approved faith-based service opportunities that help teens put their learning into action. These experiences reinforce what they’ve learned in Life Teen, deepening their understanding of the Catholic faith.
✅ Practicums are required for moving through the Life Teen spiritual phases.
✅ Each practicum is designed to strengthen virtue, build leadership, and develop a heart for service.
✅ Teens choose practicums that fit their interests and schedule.

“Parents are the primary educators in the faith.” – Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2223)

Parents play the most important role in their teen’s faith journey. Teens may attend Life Teen, but their strongest example of faith starts at home. When parents actively support their teen’s spiritual growth, it reinforces that faith isn’t just something for Sundays—it’s a way of life.

🙌 How Can Parents Get Involved?

📌 Encourage & Support Your Teen:
✔ Encourage attendance at Life Teen and Life Teen Mass (Sundays at 6 PM).
✔ Talk with them about what they’re learning—faith grows through conversation!
✔ Sign them up for retreats, service projects, and mission trips.

📌 Help With Events & Gatherings:
✔ Cook or sponsor meals for Life Teen meetings or special events.
✔ Decorate & set up for retreats, parties, and parish celebrations.
✔ Build & create—help construct props, design banners, or organize supplies.
✔ Plan & organize events—assist with logistics, hospitality, and behind-the-scenes tasks.

📌 Give & Support:
✔ Provide snacks, drinks, or small gifts for special occasions.
✔ Donate items from our Begging List to support youth ministry.
✔ Offer rides for teens who need transportation.

📌 Join Our Parent Community:
✔ Attend the Quarterly Parent Advisory Meetings to share ideas and feedback.
✔ Be a Life Teen advocate in the parish—invite other families to join!

"Your child will follow your example more than your advice." – St. Charles Borromeo

Life Teen is an active, year-round ministry with events, retreats, and special opportunities. Stay informed and connected so you never miss what’s happening!

📌 Ways to Stay Updated:
✔ Text Messaging – Receive quick updates, reminders, and event notifications.
✔ Email Updates – Get monthly newsletters, parent letters, and important announcements.
✔ Church Center App – Easily check the calendar, sign up for events, and stay organized.
✔ Social Media – Follow us for photos, updates, and inspiration!

📍 Find all our links & sign up for updates here: https://www.stanm.org/lt-bio.

Update your email or phone number here

A Quinceañera is more than a party—it’s a sacred moment of renewal and consecration in a young woman’s faith journey. This beautiful tradition is an opportunity for her to recommit to her baptismal promises, receive a special blessing, and celebrate her faith with family and friends.

📌 What’s Involved in the Preparation?
✔ Spiritual formation to help the young woman deepen her understanding of faith.
✔ Attending Mass and Life Teen to strengthen her relationship with Christ.


📍 For details on scheduling and preparation, visit: https://www.stanm.org/Quinceanera.

Life Teen is completely free for all high school teens, but it takes a community to make it possible! While there are no attendance fees, we rely on generous parishioners, parents, and volunteers to keep our program running.
📌 Ways to Support Life Teen:
✔ In-Kind Donations – Provide snacks, drinks, supplies, or needed items from our Begging List.
✔ Sponsor a Meal – Help feed teens at a Life Night or retreat.
✔ Volunteer Your Time – Assist with events, decorations, set-up, or hospitality.
✔ Donate Gift Cards – Used for event supplies, prizes, and special needs.
✔ Spread the Word – Invite other families to join and support Life Teen!
📍 Want to help? Click here to support Life Teen! [#]

The celebration of the Holy Mass and the reception of the sacraments are sacred encounters with Jesus Christ. The way we dress is one outward expression of the reverence, dignity, and respect we bring to these holy moments. While God looks first upon the heart, our clothing can reflect the importance of the occasion and our desire to honor His presence.
Teens are encouraged to wear attire that is modest, respectful, and appropriate for worship, avoiding clothing that is overly revealing, contains offensive language or images, or distracts from the sacredness of the liturgy. Dressing appropriately is not about fashion or financial means, but about recognizing that we are coming before God and participating in the worship of the Church. For the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation, participants should wear clothing that reflects the joy, dignity, and solemnity of this important milestone in their faith journey.

View of appropriate dress for both male and females

To receive sacraments at St. Thomas Aquinas, your family must be registered with the parish. Registration is free; simply complete the form provided in the link.

Click here to Register in the Parish

Registered at another Parish?  If your family is registered at another parish and would not like to move your registration to St. Thomas, you will need to complete the following:

• Receive written permission from your pastor, this letter will need the parish seal and be given to Dcn. Ed.
  

First Step:

The Getting to know you form allows us to know more about you and the way you learn.  It helps us to establish a baseline of where you are in your formation that helps us to measure progress.

Be Honest when filling out this form

Click the link below to complete the form:

• Getting to Know You Form

1st Communion, Confession and Confirmation require the Sacrament of Baptism before they can take place.  If you do not have the certificate please contact the parish that you were baptized at for a replacement.  Please ensure that they have the parish seal on the certificate.

Please upload a copy or photo of your baptism certificate as a PDF or JPG file and keep the original document in a secure place. Ensure that the parish seal can be seen on the copy/photo.  To submit the copy, please click on the button below and follow the instructions.

Please note that you should not submit the original document to the office or the Deacon, as uploading the copy is sufficient.

 Click Here to upload the Baptism Certificate

Baptized at St. Thomas Aquinas?
If you were baptized at St. Thomas Aquinas, and need to obtain a copy of your baptism certificate, please complete the form by clicking on the button below. we will conduct the necessary research of the sacramental logs to provide you with a copy of your certificate.

Click Here to Request Sacramental Records Search from STA

As part of preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation, you will choose a Confirmation saint. This saint should be someone whose life, faith, and virtues inspire you and whom you would like to imitate. Your saint can also pray for you and intercede for you in heaven.

Choosing a Confirmation saint is more than picking a name—it is choosing a spiritual role model who can help guide you in your faith journey. By learning about your saint’s life and example, you can grow closer to God and better understand what it means to live as a faithful Catholic.

Please note: Your Confirmation saint must be the same gender as you.
 
Click the links below for more info:

• How to Select a Patron Saint booklet
• Complete The Patron Saint Report Here

As you prepare to receive the Sacrament of Baptism or Confirmation, you will need a sponsor to help guide and support you in your faith journey. A sponsor is someone you can look up to and turn to for encouragement, not only during your preparation but throughout your life as a Catholic.

Your sponsor does not have to be a relative, but they must be a practicing Catholic who lives their faith and serves as a good example for others.

To learn more about the requirements for sponsors and the forms that need to be completed, click the "Selecting a Sponsor" button below.

Please note: Your Confirmation sponsor must be the same gender as you.

View the following Documents To help you:

• How to Select a Sponsor
• ASF Sponsor Affidavit

After prayerfully discerning the documents and when you made the choice, upload the sponsor affidavit

Upload the Sponsor Affidavit from the sponsor parish

Schedule a time to spend together (in person), be specific and intentional. The duration could be anywhere from an hour to all day, it is up to the Sponsor and Candidate.

Candidates and Sponsors should participate in at least one outing throughout the teens formation, but are encouraged to do an outing one-time at least every four months.

Choose a place and/or an activity to participate in during the outing. We realize that some things may be limited by the sponsor living out of town and unable to travel. But feel free to be creative. This could simply be: 

• Meeting for coffee 
• Going to a movie (or watching one at home) 
• Taking a hike 
• Going out to dinner 
• Going to some type of religious event or concert
• Participating in a Charity walk/run
• Volunteering at a local food bank, soup kitchen
• Anything else that may interest both the Sponsor and Candidate
• During this outing, the sponsor is encouraged to share some part of their Faith Story with the Candidate.
• Complete this form

This form is due by Jan 31 of the year you will be receiving sacraments.

Discover the essential prayers that pave the way for a profound connection with your faith. Mastering these prayers marks a significant step toward entering the final stage of Sacrament preparation and will be tested. Remember, it's not just about memorization; it's about embracing the power of prayer. Engaging with these prayers is vital, and what better way to immerse yourself than by practicing through the beautiful act of praying the rosary.

Teens should know these prayers but more importantly, they need to be praying them daily.

Click the links below for the documents:

• Common Prayers 
• 92 Things Every Catholic Should Know
  

To test your knowledge of the 92 Things that Every Catholic Should Know play these Kahoots

Tithing, as a spiritual practice, enriches our relationship with God and others, fostering gratitude, trust, and generosity. It reminds us of our interconnectedness and shared responsibility in supporting the Church's mission. Tithing envelopes hold a deeper meaning beyond mere monetary contributions, embracing the concept of stewardship. Through these envelopes, we actively acknowledge that everything we possess is a gift from God. Furthermore:

1. Attendance at Mass: Submitting tithing envelopes visibly affirms our active participation in Mass. In some parishes, failure to turn in weekly envelopes may result in being considered unregistered.

2. Financial Support for the Parish: Tithing envelopes provide an opportunity to contribute financially to the life of our parish, aligning with the precepts of the Church. They help us recognize how we have supported the parish through donations of our time, talent, or treasure throughout the week. 

Each year the Archbishop of Santa Fe requires that we ask certain questions to the teens that are about to be confirmed and to request the Sacrament of Confirmation.

This form builds the letter automatically for the teen they just need to answer the questions and it will build the letter for them.

The form is open 2 months before the Sacrament of Confirmation.  
 
Letter to the Archbishop Form