Matt Jung has come full circle.
After joining St. Mary Youth Ministry as a high school junior several years ago, he went on to become a leader in college ministry at St. Ambrose University, work at the Bridge Teen Center in Orland Park, and now return to St. Mary to run the same youth program where he started.
In short, ministering to young people is his passion and mission in life, and he has a north star that guides his entire approach. “You don’t just give teens the instruction manual and walk away,” he says. “I try to meet them where they’re at, get to know their beliefs and struggles, and accompany them on the journey toward the truth of the Catholic faith.”
Under Jung’s guidance and direction, the St. Mary Youth Ministry Program has blossomed. The high school portion of the group, which meets every Sunday from 7–9 PM, has drawn roughly 40 kids per night, and at least one new face appears every week.
A Youth Renaissance
Jung continues to cultivate a youth group whose seeds, he says, were planted two years ago. At that time, he was an assistant to Youth Minister Tom Blue. Instead of relying on traditional advertisements, the two leaders took a more personalized approach.
“Tom sent out handwritten letters to families inviting teens to attend the group,” recalls Jung. “Once we had a core group of dedicated kids, it grew organically through word of mouth.”
Kids kept coming, Jung believes, because the approach is not to present a prepared agenda. Instead, there are small group and large group discussions on faith topics the kids are interested in learning about. Afterward, the group eats a homemade meal and plays games or sports to end the evening.
Mia C., one of the teens initially invited to join, found strength and reassurance after joining the group. “When I was invited by Mr. Blue to come to the youth group, I was so excited and relieved because I met other Catholic high school kids who were going through the same things I was going through,” she explains.
“Our new youth leader, Matt, helps us go deeper by asking us questions…he teaches us things that most adults know in the church, or should know, and it helps us make our faith stronger and just our overall life better.”
Seeking the Truth
Although Jung avoids formal instruction in the group, he does steer the youth toward the truth of the Catholic faith—a truth they appreciate.
In fact, Jung observes that his youth are drawn to traditional Catholicism because it provides truth in a confused world. Instead of a watered-down faith that stands for little, the teens seek a faith that acts as a bulwark against the relativism of secular culture.
At the same time, they understand that they won’t win others over to the faith with aggressive tactics or self-righteous preachiness. Rather, Jung encourages them to practice compassion and understanding, meeting others where they’re at and guiding them toward the truth by living their faith.
Jung also empowers teens to learn about their faith to better answer others’ questions. It’s a method he employs himself during youth group meetings and one that the teens appreciate. They enjoy listening to figures like Fr. Mike Schmitz and even the late Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, who use reason and logic to explain why Catholics believe what they do. Reinforced with this understanding, the teens can better defend their faith in the world.
Beyond St. Mary
Jung sees the St. Mary Youth Group as a hub for Catholic teens throughout the southwest suburbs and beyond. Currently, kids show up from 11 different high schools and eight different parishes. There is now even a program for younger, junior high school students.
“It’s been a huge blessing for me to give back to a program that started me on my faith journey,” says Jung of the entire experience thus far. “I want to walk with these kids on their journey and be present for them as much as I can.”
The St. Mary High School youth ministry program meets Sunday nights in the Parish Hall from 7–9 PM, and the junior high program meets Thursday nights at 6 PM.
The Mokena Marian 