The goal of the 1% Challenge is to foster and grow a culture of daily prayer with Scripture. The 1% Challenge Team consists of parishioners who provide the Scripture verses and content that will go out to the parish through a daily email and social media. Some of our team members select scripture verses that are used for the emails and Monday videos. Other team members develop the scripts and produce the Monday videos that are posted each week. We are always looking for new members for our team. Email or call with any questions or interest in being on the team. A love of scripture and passion to share with others is the only thing you need!

Dave Shroeder

Contact: Kaitlyn Briedis, 513-777-4322 Ext. 118, kbriedis@saint-max.org

High School Youth Ministry seeks to spread the good news of great joy to teens! Our vision is to form disciples of Jesus Christ, foster personal and spiritual growth, and learn how to serve and evangelize. A committed team of adults and teen peer ministers work toward that vision by gathering as large groups and small groups for fun and formation, doing works of service, going on retreats, meeting for social events, and traveling to youth conferences and service trips. All high school teens are invited! SafeParish approved adults interested in helping with this ministry discern with the coordinator where their gifts and the ministry’s needs overlap.

Our Advent Team designs events to help prepare our parish family for the Advent season. This year, we have planned a series of events with the focus of accompanying the Holy Family to Bethlehem. These events are called "To the Inn Together." The kick off begins early on Sunday, November 10, 12:15 PM. We plan to accompany the Holy Family by praying 900 a minutes or walking 90 miles as a parish family. All families are welcome to join us on this journey! Learn more at www.saint-max.org/InnTogether.

Contact: Sarah Lewis, 513.777.4322, Ext. 128 or slewis@saint-max.org.

Beginners to seasoned scripture scholars are welcome to join our St. Max Bible Studies anytime! These groups read, study, and discuss scripture via study guides and DVD programs. Each group is autonomous and studies different aspects of the Bible. Click here to view our current studies.

We also offer book studies through small groups. Are you interested in leading a study? Our facilitators do not have to be scholars to lead a study. If you are interested, please contact us. We can walk you through the training and process.

Contact: Cathy Casto, scripturestudy@saint-max.org

Contact: Email marriageenrichment@saint-max.org or call/text Marlene at 513-703-1061.

Join us for a themed date night each First Friday of the month, beginning with First Friday Mass, followed by snacks, fellowship & formation! Please feel free to bring wine, beer or an appetizer to share. Click here to view all our dates.

Contact: Kaitlyn Briedis, 513-777-4322 Ext. 118, kbriedis@saint-max.org

JrHigh Ignite is a ministry that is open to all 6th, 7th and 8th grade youth. We gather during the summer for Summer Service Camp and Terrific Tuesdays, monthly during the school year. We utilize videos, games, discussions and speakers when we gather in order to learn, grow, serve and have fun together.

Coming Soon!

Join the team! We are always training new volunteers and looking for new members of the library committee. Please send us an e-mail or come to the parish office and let us know you are interested in joining this ministry! We care for the current collection of print books, audio books, and videos/DVDs, and process new purchases and donations. The library is open any time the building is accessible. It is a multi-purpose room, if the door is closed, please stop by at another time.

Contact:

Marlene Doughman
513-703-1061
library@saint-max.org

Our purpose is to foster faith formation, build community, and equip moms to help their children and families grow as disciples of Christ.

We will be meeting approximately every other week, usually alternating between Sunday evenings 7-9 PM to Wednesday mornings from 9-11 AM.

Learn more

Contact: Sarah Lewis, 513-777-4322 Ext. 128, slewis@saint-max.org

Mighty Max is a small group faith formation experience for preschool-aged children. Parents or guardians attend with their child while we build preschool skills, play, sing, create, and learn about our faith. Each class is centered around a theme and features prayer, a lesson, stories, songs, sensory play, a craft, and a snack which parents take turns providing. Each class is an hour long and there are 6 classes per session. Each session is $50 and is limited to 12 students. Classes take place in the Youth Room at St. Max.

Contact: Mary Lou Baker, 513-777-4322 Ext. 120, mbaker@saint-max.org

The Religious Formation of Youth (Faith on Fire) Program serves youth in early childhood-grade 8 and offers options for liturgical and traditional approaches to catechesis. Our program focuses on the message of the Sunday Gospels and thorough instruction on Catholic doctrine, sacraments/liturgy, morality, and prayer.

Adults and teens interested in sharing their time and faith are needed as catechists, assistant catechists, and special needs aides in our formal formation program.

Contact: Mary Lou Baker, 513-777-4322 Ext. 120, mbaker@saint-max.org

Family Gatherings for 2023-2024 are held on Sundays (4:30-6:00 pm) OR Mondays (6:00-7:30 pm): Family Gathering dates: Sept. 17/18, Oct. 8/9, Oct. 22/23, Nov. 5/6, Nov. 19/20, Dec. 3/4, Dec. 17/18, Jan. 14/15, Feb. 4/5, Feb. 18/19, Mar. 3/4, Mar. 17/18.

More details about our Faith on Fire Family Gathering kick-off will be communicated later this summer.

Contact: Mary Lou Baker, 513-777-4322 Ext. 120, mbaker@saint-max.org

The Parable of the Lost Sheep may call to mind your experience of formation here at St. Max. Do you feel hesitant about beginning the formation journey with your family? Are you currently participating in one of our formation programs and have fallen behind on assignments? Have your children missed years of catechesis, but you would like to resume? Parents often feel uncomfortable to reach out to us in these circumstances because they feel embarrassed or guilty. Please don’t let these emotions stir. Take a deep breath and reach out to us if you feel lost in any way!

There is never going to be a formation program that will perfectly fit the needs of our ‘100’ and, even if it did, there are seasons in life when some families will fall behind on formation studies due to many different factors. Life may even present circumstances or hardships that necessitate an extended break. That’s ok! Please know that you can return to the sheepfold if you enrolled and have fallen behind on current assignments or if you haven’t been with us in some years. We are here to support you, to help you to explore formation choices or a catch-up plan that work best for you!

Contact: Mary Lou Baker, 513-777-4322 Ext. 120, mbaker@saint-max.org

Spark is blended learning for families who have missed formal religious formation since the first grade. In Spark, you will follow a weekly guide to complete your home study lessons. The Spark page also features short, pre-recorded videos for each lesson from our faith consultant. Spark families also attend our Faith on Fire Family Gatherings. Both child and parent are required to attend. Note: Following registration we will contact you regarding one Spark orientation session to be held this summer... Date TBD.

A Mission is a time for refreshing, strengthening, and equipping the body of Christ to deepen one’s call to discipleship. It is a time to come together as a community to celebrate the sacraments, listen to inspiring presentations, share our faith with one another, and become closer to our Lord, Jesus Christ. Our parish mission is a time to create renewal and stir the disciple call to mission. It is a time to slow down and reflect on the joy and heart of our Faith. If you are interested in being a part of our parish mission core team or interested in our mission volunteer opportunities to serve our parish in this way, please contact our team.

Contact: ParishMission@saint-max.org

Contact: Sarah Lewis, 513-777-4322 Ext. 128, slewis@saint-max.org

Kamp Kolbe is a Vacation Bible School experience for preschoolers through upcoming kindergarteners. Kamp Kolbe participants will follow a preschool-appropriate format similar to Totus Tuus in which they will learn about the mysteries of the Rosary and how to pray the Rosary. Children will pray, play games, make crafts, and sing songs while they grow in their faith. A snack is provided each day. Kamp Kolbe is available for children ages 3 to incoming kindergartener. Parents drop off their child with volunteers, and children must be potty-trained. Kamp Kolbe takes place during the week of Totus Tuus, but the program is shorter and only 3 days during the week. SafeParish volunteers are needed.

Contact: Holly Moran, 513-777-4322 Ext. 107, hmoran@saint-max.org

Heavenly Heroes is a five day Vacation Bible School experience for Catholic youth in grades 1-8 which blends fun and formation. The youth learn more about the Eucharist, prayer, the rosary, Marian devotions, vocation discernment, and catechesis. There are plenty of games, songs, skits, witnesses, and snacks. Volunteers are always needed!

Contact: Kaitlyn Briedis, 513-777-4322 Ext. 118, kbriedis@saint-max.org

Our young adult ministry is a newer ministry which offers opportunities for one to find mission and purpose in the Church through authentic faith formation, solid community and communion with God. We provide activities at St. Max as well as partner with other local parishes for social events. Watch for details on social media and in the bulletin. If you are interested in being a part of our planning team, please fill out this interest form.