Youth Ministry

For more information, to sign up for opportunities or seek out discussion please contact:

Cheryl Kaufer
Director of Youth Ministry
651-308-8576
Email

St. Francis Youth Ministry is a group of middle school (6th-8th grade) and high school (9th-12th grade) youth, adults, and parents centered on and strengthened by a relationship with Jesus and the Catholic Church.

Our Mission:  Love God, Love Others, Make Disciples

This Mission is accomplished through the development of each person’s talents and gifts for the unique mission God has for our lives. We develop teens' growth in holiness through scripture, the sacraments, prayer/praise and worship, retreats, and ministry and leadership opportunities. Spiritual, service, and social activities are offered. 

Cheryl Kaufer

I grew up in White Bear Lake, MN where I attended St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church, and received all the sacraments, including marriage to Steve Kaufer in 1991.

Since moving to Ellsworth, WI I have volunteered for St. Francis School and Parish where all 4 of my daughters (Shelby, Kayla, Rachel, and Bethany) attended and graduated from St. Francis School. I fell in love with Jesus Christ and became more actively involved in Youth Ministry through events of Adventure Camp, Steubenville, Immersion Retreat, Round Hill Rally, and Lifeline Mass. I love to travel and most recently attended Mass at St. Peters Basilica in Rome, Italy. I make it a point to attend Mass wherever I may travel including many cities in the United States but also Italy, Sweden, Belize, Portugal, and Spain. It is my goal to attend “World Youth Day” and “Walk the Way of St. James” pilgrimage (Santiago de Compostela in Spain).  

I have a post-masters nursing degree in Child/Adolescent mental health from the University of Minnesota and work at Allina Health, as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. I received an Ecclesiastical Ministry certificate through the Lay Formation Institute, Diocese of La Crosse as well as Leader of Prayer. I earned a Certificate in Youth Ministry from the University of Steubenville, John Bosco Conference. I am currently enrolled/studying at the Diocesan School of Biblical Studies through DIOLC (Fr. Mark Pierce, 4-year bible study), where I am learning scripture more intensely. I am reading/listening to scripture through Bible in a Year (Fr. Michael Schmitz) in my free time.  

I enjoy playing guitar & singing (badly), reading, gardening, hiking, hammocking, swimming, kayaking, skiing, and being outdoors as much as humanly possible. I love to see the majesty of God in His creation through family travels to the National Parks (Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Red Woods, Yosemite, Great Smokey Mountain, Rocky Mountain). I love long and in-depth discussions about God, and the meaning of life while amid His creation – like the Chequamegon-Nicollet National Forest.

I have great memories of my own youth having grown up in the midst of a BIG, LOUD Catholic family, with 42 first cousins.

My Confirmation Saint: St. Joan of Arc “I am not afraid because God is with me, and I was born for this”.

If you have questions, suggestions, or just want to talk, please feel free to contact me: 651-308-8576 or email