St. Mary’s Actively Religious Teens (S.M.A.R.T.) is a group for young people in grades 8 through 12. The cornerstone of S.M.A.R.T. is the monthly spiritual meeting, which normally takes place on the third Tuesday of the month at 7:00pm in the S.M.A.R.T. meeting room (located at the front of the rectory basement). Teens have the opportunity to choose discussion topics at the beginning of each school year. Then, Fr. Newcomb or another adult makes a presentation and leads a discussion at each month’s meeting. The experience also includes time for prayer and socializing.

Each month, the group alternates between a service project and a social activity. Past service projects include a winter coat drive, doing painting and cleaning around the parish property, shopping for an “adopted family” at Christmas, and a “youth auction,” in which teens assist elderly parishioners with house or yard work. Social activities include laser tag, tubing on the Esopus Creek, hiking several times a year, and a trip to Dorney Park. In order to take part in the social activities, teens must take part in the spiritual meetings or the service projects.

We encourage teens to particpate in the retreat opportunities offered by Capuchin Youth and Family Ministries in Garrison, NY.  A schedule and descriptions of retreats are available here.

Please visit S.M.A.R.T.’s page on Facebook, or e-mail us for more information.

Click on the link below for the current schedule.