Way of Christ for TEENS

WELCOME TO THE ST. PHILIP INSTITUTE YOUTH FORMATION PROGRAM!

The Way of Christ for Teens: “To Whom Shall We Go?” is the first volume of youth formation offered by The St. Philip Institute of Catechesis and Evangelization. This curriculum is for high school students in a variety of settings: as part of weekly youth group meetings, in small faith sharing groups, and even in large group faith formation settings. Whether you meet in your parish classrooms, a local coffee shop, or an outdoor picnic, the curriculum leads students through the primary themes of discernment and prayer in the Catholic faith. Using the time honored method of Lectio Divina and supported by the teaching of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, each lesson contains a passage from Sacred Scripture and discussion about doctrinal and spiritual connections in real life situations. With help from the saints and wisdom from catechists, students will engage the life of the Church’s liturgical patrimony and be led through the devotional hallmarks of Catholic piety, including the Rosary, The Stations of the Cross, and Eucharistic Adoration. The goal is to help them solidify the connection between knowledge of and relationship to Christ, the one to whom we go. The second in the four-part series will focus on the Christian virtues of faith, hope, love, prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. This one is in progress. Check out these lessons below!

Fr. Justin Braun

Author Fr. Braun is the Director of Youth Formation for the St Phillip Institute of Catechesis and Evangelization. He is working on developing content and curriculum to help the youth of the Diocese of Tyler , and to form those who work with youth. Fr. Braun received his Masters of Divinity and STB from the Pontifical College Josephinum, and was ordained on June 9, 2012, by Bishop Alvaro Corrada del Rio. He has served the Diocese of Tyler as parochial vicar at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception for three years, while also working as Chaplain to Bishop Gorman Catholic School, and beginning in 2013 as Director of Vocations. In the fall of 2015 he left his work at the Cathedral and began doing Chaplaincy work at St. Mary’s Campus Ministry at Stephen F. Austin University and then at the University of Texas at Tyler. In January 2018, Fr. Braun was assigned as parochial vicar of Sacred Heart parish in Texarkana, Texas and was assigned as Director of Youth Formation for the St. Philip Institute in June of 2018. Fr. Braun has the great joy of being an uncle to 9 wonderful nephews and nieces, a great-nephew, and occasionally plays the drums for fun and hits the golf ball. He’s worked with youth ministry since his days as a student in Longview, TX some 20 years ago, and he’s very excited to serve the youth and help them get to heaven.