Summer 2022 // 6pm-8pm
June 15: Summer Kick off BBQ (meet new youth minister) @ St. Thomas
June 22: @ Ss. Peter and Paul
July 6: @ Ss. Peter and Paul
July 20: @ Ss. Peter and Paul
August 3: @Ss. Peter and Paul
August 17: @ Ss. Peter and Paul
August 24: End of year cookout + ice cream @ St. Thomas
Holy Apostles youth was established in fall 2021 to serve the youth of Ss. Peter and Paul in Loretto, St. Thomas the Apostle in Corcoran, and the youth of western Hennepin County. The name "Holy Apostles" was chosen to represent the parishes it was born out of. St. Peter, St. Paul, and St. Thomas were all Apostles of our Lord, and therefore the name represents not only the identity our parish cluster, but it also dares us as Christians to live in imitation of those first followers of Jesus. A golden crown was selected as the symbol of the group to emphasis the call of each Christian to share in the priesthood, prophethood, and kingship of Jesus Christ.
Throughout the year Holy Apostles youth puts on faith filled social events for the youth of our cluster parish community. Dodgeball, barbeques, cornhole, capture the flag, and our annual summer camp along with mass, the rosary, and adoration!
My name is Matt Larson, and I am the youth minister and confirmation coordinator for the parish cluster! I graduated from Orono high school and entered St. John Vianney (SJV) college seminary at the University of St. Thomas. After a year, I felt that the diocesan priesthood was not my calling, and I decided to leave the seminary and just be a ‘normal’ student at St. Thomas.
Upon leaving the seminary I began to study Catholic studies and Environmental Studies. At the University of St. Thomas, I was involved with Saint Paul’s outreach (SPO), I served as a sacristan at the University chapel, and I played for the men’s rugby team. I also have a strong devotion to our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament, and I was gifted with the opportunity to coordinate the perpetual adoration chapel at the University of St. Thomas. Likewise, I have an intense filially devotion to our Lady, the Rosary, and the message She revealed at Fatima, Portugal in 1917. I am so excited for this new opportunity to lead souls, especially those young souls of our parish, to Christ Jesus in everyday life.
My passion and philosophy for youth ministry draws directly from the mission of the Catholic studies department at St. Thomas. Unlike theology, Catholic Studies focuses on incorporating the vast treasury of wealth that is our faith, into our everyday lives. The department focuses on literature, history, philosophy, business, and social justice all from an orthodox Catholic perspective. As I move forward to meeting all the youth from our parish, I desire all of them, and all of our parishioners to look for ways to bring their faith into everyday tasks and trials. Please feel free to email, text, call, or come visit me in my office at Sts. Peter and Paul whenever, I would love to answer your questions and hear your input!
Matt Larson
mlarson@saintsppta.org // 763-496-5875