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JOIN US FOR SHINE 2026! SHINE is St. Joe’s local service week for current 6th, 7th, and 8th graders.
This isn’t just a camp - it’s your chance to live out our mission: love God, love your neighbor, and make disciples. Each day, you’ll dive into hands-on service projects, enjoy fun games and activities, attend daily Mass, share lunch with friends, and more. You’ll serve your community like Jesus did, grow in your faith, and form friendships.Dates: July 13–17, 2026
Time: 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Each day starts and ends at St. Joseph Catholic Church
Cost: $100 per personREGISTRATION IS NOW FULL.
Please send an email to [email protected] to join the waitlist.
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What is SHINE?SHINE, which stands for St. Joe’s Helping In Neighborhoods Everywhere, is St. Joe’s local service week for all current 6th, 7th, and 8th graders.
It’s not just any week. It’s THE week you’ll be talking about all summer! Packed with opportunities to serve like Jesus, spend time with friends, meet other teens from our community, attend daily Mass, and enjoy great food and fun activities, this is a week you don’t want to miss. Your faith will grow, your friendships will deepen, and you’ll leave inspired.
The day begins at 8:30 AM at St. Joe’s and wraps up at 3:00 PM. Each day features a unique service project, time for prayer and reflection, lunch, and exciting activities. All participants receive a SHINE t-shirt, and lunch is provided daily.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
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Yes! We've been told in the past that this is one of the best weeks of the summer! Our time together will be filled with service opportunities, games, Mass, and more! You won’t want to miss this week, where your friendships will deepen, your love for Jesus will grow, and you will leave changed.
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Each day will have different service opportunities! The schedule for this year is still being finalized, but in the past we've served in the following ways: packing meals for people in need with Feed My Starving Children, making treats and toys for dogs and cats at animal shelters (and getting to visit with them!), building beds for children that don't have beds to sleep on, volunteering at our St. Joseph Food Pantry, sorting food at the Northern IL Food Bank, hosting a community breakfast for parishioners and seniors in our community, and more.
Some of the service work will be done on St. Joe’s campus. Other service work will be done out in the community. Transportation to the different service projects will be provided by St. Joe’s, and all drivers/adult volunteers will have completed a background check and be in compliance with the Archdiocese of Chicago.
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Here is a typical schedule. This year's schedule is still being finalized, but it will be sent out to all parents/guardians before SHINE begins. Some new other items for this year's schedule will include water wars, Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration, and more.
8:30 AM - Daily Mass at St. Joe's
9:00 AM - Check in and morning activities
9:30 AM - Depart for our service opportunity for the day
Noon - Lunch break
Afternoon - Conclude service work and travel back to St. Joe's, different games and activities planned for each day when we get back
2:00 PM - Reflection on the day led by a St. Joe's priest or deacon
3:00 PM - The day concludes. See you tomorrow!
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Each participant should bring a water bottle, sunscreen, and wear closed-toed shoes. Many service projects will take place outside, so please dress for the weather. You may get dirty, so don’t wear your favorite clothes! On Monday, you will receive your blue SHINE t-shirt that you will wear each day during the week.
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Yes! This year, teens are required to attend all 5 days of SHINE so you can gain the most from the experience and build relationships.
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Yes! This week is for all current 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. Everyone is welcome. You do not need to be a St. Joe’s parishioner to participate.
If you or your friends are not familiar with Catholic prayers or traditions, that is completely okay. We will explain everything and make sure everyone feels comfortable and included.
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This year, SHINE is open to current 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students.
We invite high schoolers to apply to be a SHINE Team Captain! Team Captains serve as role models for younger students, work alongside friends, and help make the week amazing. Team captains also earn service hours and gain valuable leadership experience. The cost is $50 per teen to cover your t-shirt, meals, supplies, and other expenses.
Ready to be a Team Captain?
Click here to apply!
Other High School Service Opportunities - You can also join our Summer Mission Trip or other youth group service events throughout the year.
Questions? Email [email protected]
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SHINE costs $100 this year. This covers lunch each day, transportation to the service projects, t-shirts, and any other supplies and materials. Payment is due at the time of registration.
Financial assistance is available, please don't hesitate to reach out! You can send us an email at [email protected].
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We are happy to help with any questions you may have!
Please send our team an email - St. Joseph Youth Ministry at [email protected]
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Become a Team Captain!
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Team Captains lead a group of 6th–8th graders during SHINE Week, helping with activities, games, and service projects!
Who can be a Team Captain: Students heading into high school through recently graduated high school seniors
SHINE Kickoff & Training: Date TBD
SHINE Dates: July 13–17, 2026
As a SHINE Team Captain, you will:- Attend the SHINE Kickoff & Training before SHINE begins so you know what to expect, meet the team, and feel ready to lead
- Attend every day of SHINE and lead a team of 6th–8th graders
- Help plan and lead games and fun activities
- Be a role model during the week, especially during service work, Mass, and activities
- Help keep track of your team and make sure everyone feels included
- Share feedback each day to help us learn and make the week better
- Be paired with at least one adult leader who will support you and assist you
Apply to be a Team Captain
After we review all applications, we’ll reach out to let you know if we think you’d be a great fit for the SHINE Team Captain role this year.
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ADULT VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED!
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If you love being around young people and want to help out in a fun, faith-filled way, we would love to have you as a SHINE adult volunteer!
You do not need to commit to the entire week. Volunteering for even one day is a huge help.
Adult volunteer hours are typically 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM, with some flexibility depending on the day.
What Do SHINE Adult Volunteers Do?
Adult volunteers are there to support and empower our high school SHINE Team Captains, who lead each group throughout the week. These teens take on the real leadership, and your role is to walk alongside them, empower them, and assist with whatever the team needs.
Before SHINE week begins, we will host a short training to walk through what the week looks like, answer questions, and introduce you to our team. We make sure you feel supported, prepared, and confident. On the day you volunteer, you will receive a SHINE t-shirt. We ask that you wear it so teens can easily identify safe adults, and we can keep groups organized.
Adult volunteers are needed each day to help supervise teens. All volunteers must meet the Archdiocese of Chicago compliance requirements for working with youth, and we are happy to guide you through that process.
If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information, please email [email protected].
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Questions? Contact us!
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St. Joseph Youth Ministry
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