Youth Ministry
Maronite Youth Organization (MYO)
The Maronite Youth Organization (MYO) at St. Elias Parish plays a vital role in strengthening the spiritual, social, and cultural life of younger generations within the parish community. Through prayer, fellowship, service, and leadership opportunities, the MYO seeks to help youth deepen their relationship with Christ while remaining connected to the rich Syriac-Antiochian and Maronite heritage of the Church.
The ministry encourages active parish involvement through liturgical participation, volunteer service, charitable initiatives, feast celebrations, fundraising activities, and community outreach. MYO members are encouraged to grow not only in faith, but also in responsibility, leadership, friendship, and service to others.
The parish has also supported youth participation in broader Maronite gatherings, conferences, and spiritual initiatives across Canada, helping young people build lasting connections within the wider Maronite community.
Retreats
Retreats provide youth and young adults with opportunities for spiritual renewal, prayer, reflection, and fellowship away from the distractions of daily life. St. Elias Parish encourages participation in retreats focused on faith formation, personal growth, leadership, and deeper understanding of the Maronite spiritual tradition.
Divine Liturgy and prayer
Spiritual talks and reflection
Community-building activities
Discussions on faith, identity, and vocation
Confession and Eucharistic adoration
Opportunities for mentorship and fellowship
Retreats help foster a stronger connection to the Church while encouraging youth to carry their faith confidently into their personal, academic, and professional lives.
Conferences
St. Elias Parish supports participation in regional and national Maronite youth conferences that bring together young people from parishes across Canada and beyond. These conferences create opportunities for youth to engage with the broader Maronite Church through worship, workshops, cultural programming, leadership sessions, guest speakers, and community service initiatives.
Faith formation
Maronite identity
Cultural continuity
Leadership development
Friendships across parishes
Engagement with the wider Church community
These experiences also encourage young people to remain active within parish life and become future leaders within both the Church and the community.
Leadership Development
Leadership development is an important part of youth ministry at St. Elias Parish. Through volunteer opportunities, liturgical service, event organization, fundraising initiatives, mentorship, and community outreach, young parishioners are encouraged to grow in confidence, responsibility, teamwork, and service.
The parish seeks to cultivate future leaders who are grounded in faith, committed to their community, and capable of carrying forward the spiritual, cultural, and charitable mission of the Maronite Church for future generations.
