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Youth Senate
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The Youth Senate is made up of high school youth, 9th-12th grade, who advocate for the needs of their peers and help their youth ministers plan, coordinate, and execute evangelization efforts on a parish, vicariate, and diocesan level.
FRESHMEN - SENIORS
The Youth Senate's purpose is:
- To Foster Parish Representation: Act as ambassadors for their respective parishes and schools, ensuring that the unique voices and needs of their communities are heard and addressed within the broader context of the diocese.
- To Collaborate in Event Planning: Collaborate with other Senate members to plan and execute various aspects of youth-oriented events within the diocese, ensuring that these events are engaging, relevant, and spiritually enriching for attendees.
- To Facilitate Communication: Serve as a conduit for communication between the diocesan youth office and local parishes, disseminating information about upcoming events, resources, and opportunities for involvement to ensure widespread participation and engagement.
- To Exemplify Leadership: Take on leadership roles within diocesan conferences, retreats, and pilgrimages, serving as role models for their peers and helping to facilitate meaningful experiences that foster spiritual growth and community building.
- To Empower Peer Evangelization: Equip coordinators of youth ministry and fellow peers with the tools, resources, and support needed to effectively evangelize their peers within their schools, parishes, and broader communities, fostering a culture of faith and discipleship among young Catholics.
- To Cultivate Unity and Collaboration: Foster a sense of unity and collaboration among youth from different parishes and schools within the diocese, recognizing the strength that comes from diversity and solidarity in advancing the mission of the Church.
The following criteria will be considered for membership to the Youth Senate:
- An active Catholic in good standing with a strong faith life who displays leadership potential in his/her parish and/or school community.
- A freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior in high school.
- A complete application, Annual Permission Form & General Liability Release Minors: Religious Education & Youth Activities, and two letters of recommendation. The Annual Permission Form & General Liability Release Minors: Religious Education & Youth Activities will be signed after acceptance to the Youth Senate.
- The first letter MUST be from your pastor; the second from a parish coordinator of youth ministry or religious education, catechist, principal, teacher, or parish council member. The second letter may not be from a parent or relative. Please have them emailed to the Youth Office at [email protected]. A maximum of two Senators will be selected per parish and/or school for a one-year term. Serving Senators must reapply on an annual basis.
- An email from the applicant's parent/guardian stating they're aware of the applicants desire to participate in the Youth Senate and what that entails. An application will not be considered complete without an email from their parent. It must be the same parent listed in this application.
- Attendance at ALL Youth Senate Meetings.
Please complete and submit the application, acknowledgement email from a parent/guardian and both letters of recommendation by June 2025. The Diocese of Tulsa Youth Office will notify applicants of their status by July 1st, 2025.
