Chaldean Youth
A look into the hearts of our young people
By Grace Alkatib
Throughout the Chaldean Diocese, our youth are constantly being called to live out their faith and embrace it. As someone who grew up attending Chaldean youth groups and is now blessed to lead one, Journey to Sainthood, I have become a witness of the child-like boldness and confidence that our youth bring on their walk with Christ. Our youth approach their faith with a genuine hunger for growth in their spiritual lives. They are a reminder of the hope that continues to flourish within our Church and community.
The time and energy we pour into forming and guiding our youth is essential to the vitality of our Chaldean Church. In many ways, the youth ministry is at the frontline for evangelization. We can use our parishes as a place for additional formation which gives our youth a place of support.
As Fr. Matthew Zetouna of St. Thomas shares: “High schoolers are in an interesting place where it’s tough to talk to dad and mom about personal matters, but it’s also difficult to speak with their peers, as they’re typically going through the same challenges. In the high school youth groups across the diocese, they have the opportunity to speak to someone who’s right in between—their leader, who’s just recently “been there” and “done that” and has also encountered God and can share advice and support.”
As an immigrant community, we value our faith and tradition immensely. It is through our ministry that values are intentionally passed on in a manner that will resonate with their generation. Our youth groups allow the next generation to encounter their Chaldean identity and Catholic faith in a setting beyond their home and extended family. We are focused on preserving our traditions and allowing for spiritual growth that will strengthen our parishes for years to come.
Today’s youth are often viewed through a lens of concern due to a culture focused on instant gratification and social pressures found on social media and in students’ school environments. These influences present obstacles for the growth of our Church, yet rather than turning away from it, our youth are using these struggles as motivation to seek a relationship with Christ.
If we do not lead our youth to Christ, the world will lead them elsewhere. Every invitation and moment we spend guiding and praying with our youth is an investment in the mission of the Church. The youth groups established throughout our diocese offer mentorship, access to the sacraments, and a community.
At Mother of God Church, Cameron Jajonie, Leader of .COM states: “Youth group has been nothing short of life changing for me and my spiritual life. I started attending Mother of God’s high school youth group, .COM, and it helped me continuously grow in my love for Christ. I now have the privilege of leading that same youth group. Not only do I get to help teens grow in their faith, but I am simultaneously transformed too; leading this group has deepened my own walk with Christ more than I ever expected.”
Having the opportunity to learn from our youth is a blessing for the many leaders that are called to serve them. They contain a sincere faith that reminds us that the goal of ministry in our youth is not a one-sided effort– there is a mutual journey of growth. With child-like hearts and questions, the leaders of the youth programs are able to deepen their own understanding and commitment to Christ.
Each parish serves the same goal: allowing for our youth to grow in their faith. Through these youth groups there is a formation of disciples; our future seminarians, religious sisters, and leaders of the church—but more importantly, they are drawing young people closer to Christ, regardless of the path they pursue. For many, these pillars of growth start at the middle school level.
Leading the youth is not only about teaching but about allowing ourselves to grow with them. I have been able to watch our youth build their own Christ-centered friendships and discover the beauty of Chaldean traditions. Our focus on ministry of the youth is essential for the future of our Church. Each week, I am privileged to see how God works in the hearts of our teens, and in the process, He continues to work on my own heart.
“Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set an example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12). This verse captures what we are witnessing in our diocese—young people who are not only seeking Christ but becoming witnesses to Him.
CHALDEAN DIOCESE YOUTH GROUP SCHEDULE
ST. THOMAS
CLC (High School)
Wednesdays
6:45 PM - 9:00 PM
Crew Brotherhood
(Middle School Boys)
Thursdays
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Journey to Sainthood
(Middle School Girls)
Tuesdays
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
MOTHER OF GOD
.COM (High School)
Tuesdays
6:45 PM - 9:00 PM
.COM Jr. (Middle School
Boys & Girls)
Saturdays
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
ST. GEORGE
.DOC (High School)
Tuesdays
6:45 PM - 9:00 PM
Three:16 (Middle School Boys)
Wednesdays
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
COF (Middle School Girls)
Thursdays
6:15 PM - 8:30 PM
ST. JOSEPH
CLC (High School)
Thursdays
6:45 PM - 9:00 PM
LITE (Middle School Boys)
Wednesdays
6:15 PM - 8:30 PM
Little Flowers (Middle School Girls)
Wednesdays
6:15 PM - 8:30 PM
HOLY MARTYRS
MRUS (High School)
Wednesdays
6:45 PM - 9:00 PM
Kepa/Haven
(Middle School Boys & Girls)
Tuesdays
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
What Do the Kids Say?
“MRUs has played a huge role in my life. I began attending MRUs as a teen, and was taken in as a Junior Leader, and eventually became a Leader. Leading at MRUs was one of the most amazing things I did in my life. Truly being able to encounter the Lord through ministry and allowing prayer to be the root of all that I did. MRUs has played a huge role in helping me to develop a prayer life and grow in my vocation. Now, I have been privileged to be able to come back to MRUs as a seminarian, helping other leaders to grow in their ministry.”
– Seminarian Patrick Jaboro
“As a youth group leader, I’ve been blessed to witness the transformation of young hearts within our community. I’ve witnessed teenagers lay a strong spiritual foundation, deepening their relationship with Jesus. I’ve witnessed them become instruments of grace within their own families—drawing parents and siblings back to the sacraments, inspiring renewed participation in Sunday Mass and confession. I’ve witnessed these teens rise as leaders themselves. I’ve witnessed leaders from different parishes come together, united in a shared mission, to grow and learn. Truly, the work Jesus has done through the youth programs in our community could fill an entire book. We are a blessed diocese—with dedicated priests and leaders who sacrifice their time for the spiritual growth of our community.”
–Reva Yaldo, Leader
“I have been going to youth groups all of high school. I have gotten to know people in my community and gained so many new and deep connections. Seeing God’s unconditional love through other people and experiencing his effect on others has to be my favorite part. The Holy Spirit has truly worked through the teens and leaders in beautiful ways. I can’t wait to one day be in the leader’s shoes and help to spread the word to young teens one day!”
– Alexa Karana, CLC High School Student
“In today’s society, it’s easy to feel discouraged about the direction of our youth. But in leading high schoolers, I’ve witnessed a remarkable devotion and hunger for Christ—one I never saw when I was their age. It not only fuels my ministry, but fills me with hope for young families striving to do what the world says is impossible: raise a generation that is unwavering and unafraid to stand for their faith and morals. Because of that, this ministry has become the most rewarding and joy-filled thing I’ve ever done.”
– Amanda Shabo, CLC Leader
“Youth group has impacted my faith by shifting my perspective from a more personal/self oriented spiritual life to now learning how to live through Jesus and for Jesus with other people. Youth groups are important for the growth of our Chaldean community because we become a family. When a new girl comes to CoF, I always find an opportunity to let her know that we are all sisters through Christ. This will help them come together and create holy friendships.”
– Veronica Shammon, COF Leader
“Kepa and Haven has impacted my life for the better in so many ways. First, being able to talk to God in adoration every week is the best! Also, the leaders are always so kind and I personally love my small group. I love being around a small group of girls in the same grade, getting and giving advice.”
– Natalia Z., Kepa/Haven Leader
“As Catholics, we are meant to be childlike and not childish, so being able to see the new generation and help the youth with any tribulation within their lives helps us. Having youth groups is important, especially for our community, because it lets us know that our faith is not dead. Our traditions and language are slowly fading away because of time and because of the lack of knowledge to teach the newer generation. Being able to have youth groups and teach these ancient traditions that lead back to our Savior, Jesus, is very important. These actions help keep the Chaldean tradition alive for future generations to come.”
– Lukas Koja, Three:16 Leader