The Staff at Saint Therese
Mr. Michael Harding, Youth Minister
Michael Harding joined the Parish Staff as Youth Minister in June of 1997. Michael is a life long
parishioner and graduate of St. Therese School. He attended Morris Catholic High School in Denville, NJ
and received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Montclair University in Montclair, NJ. In addition to
his position as Youth Minister, he holds a full time job as a Business Analyst at Party City Corporation
in Rockaway, NJ. You could say Michael began his career here at St. Therese at a young age in his first
role as an altar boy. As a teenager, Michael was very involved in what was called at that time, the
Teen Center. The Teen Center was located below the old wooden church and held dances, parties and
fund raising events every weekend for grades 7 through 12. Michael became active in our Religious
Education Program teaching grades 5 through 8 before moving on to the Confirmation Program. After
spending almost 5 years as a Sponsor Catechist and Confirmation Chairperson, Michael was invited to
become the Youth Minister of our parish. Today, Michael runs our Confirmation Program which consists
of approximately 160 teenagers. He is also our Youth Minister in which he plans and runs all events
involving our High School students. Michael is a Lector and Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist,
directs our First Noel and Living Stations of the Cross presentations and is one of the adult leaders
in the SEARCH program involving 3 of our neighboring parishes.
Director of Confirmation Program / Youth Minister. Coordinates the 2 year Confirmation Program which
begins in September of 9th grade and concludes in May of 10th grade with the receiving of the Sacrament
of Confirmation. The program consists of faith theme sessions, retreats, liturgical events and community
service. Approximately 80 - 90 candidates are confirmed each year.
Youth Ministry involves all aspects of teenage church and faith related activities. God given talents
and gifts are encouraged to be shared in our parish family. While Youth Ministry mainly involves our high
school students, many grammar school students take part in our activities as well. Events take place
throughout the year which are fun, faith building, Christian based programs that benefit our youth, parish
and community. Some of the events taking place are dances, parties, community service, parish plays,
participation as Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharistic, Lectors, Teen Music Ministry, SEARCH,
Peer Ministry and much more.
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