High School Ministry—or HSM for short—is the ministry to, for, by, and with the High School Teens of Saint Raphael Parish and all of Bay Village (and Westlake, Avon Lake, and many other neighbors!). We’re open to anyone and everyone who is interested in growing as a disciple of Jesus Christ and living a more full life. We want to help you be who you were created to be so that you can set the world on fire!

We have lots of opportunities to join our community: Sunday Insight Nights (where we discuss interesting and challenging topics, pray together, snack, and play fun games), Retreats, Soup Kitchen, Camping Trips, Eucharistic Adoration, the National Catholic Youth Conference, and sometimes just going to hockey games or playing laser tag. You can come to as much or as little as you desire… there is no minimum requirement to be a part of High School Ministry.

We want to change the world, and we can’t do that without each and every unique personality shaping who we are and what we do. Come and check us out (we kick off each new school year in September) and help us to be the best version of ourselves. You are always welcome to join us... See you there!

Meet Your Youth Minister

Hello All!

I am so blessed to be your Youth Minister here at Saint Raphael! I hope you know that, even if we have not already met, I love you and am praying for you. I hope that you, also, will pray for me.

Just a little bit about myself: I was born and raised just down the street in North Ridgeville, and went to Youth Group at St. Ladislas in Westlake. I started working for the Church as a Sophomore at Ignatius doing maintenance and landscaping, and, when I was a Sophomore at John Carroll, I began my journey in pastoral ministry. I once thought God might be calling me to the Priesthood, but He in fact had other plans. I got married to my High School girlfriend and best friend in 2015, and we now have two children together. 

Outside of Church work, I umpire youth through College prep baseball and love to cook, camp, read, hike, and (when I can) get to the gym. My favorite topics to teach on and talk about include whether we can baptize extra-terrestrials (or sentient Dolphins, or Veggie Tales Characters, or Muppets...), how to die well, the weird and wonderful world of worship, and whether or not we all live in the Matrix.

I greatly look forward to meeting all of you and getting to know you. I hope that you will join Saint Raphael High School Ministry soon!

Peace,

Dcn. Zak