Young Women of Grace offers support network for teens at St. Timothy Parish

On Saturday mornings, a group of high school students gather at St. Timothy Parish in Lady Lake to participate in the Young Women of Grace study program. Sandra, along with sisters Aurora and Rosario, attend the weekly three-hour sessions, choosing to spend their time deepening their faith and building friendships.

“It’s a good way to deepen your faith and really connect with other people your age and get to know more about what it is to be a woman,” said Sandra, 16. She is taking part in the program for the second time. “I wanted to come back because I wanted to keep connection with Dr. Darlene because she is a very nice guide. She provides good guidance for me in my faith.”

The Young Women of Grace Study program adapts the Women of Grace Study Program for girls aged 12 to 17, aiming to help them discern their purpose and mission.

The original Women of Grace study has been present in parishes nationwide for over twenty years, focusing on “authentic femininity” modeled after the Blessed Virgin Mary while encouraging lasting friendships among participants. Darlene Drazenovich first attended a group at St. Timothy’s in 2020 before becoming parish coordinator and regional facilitator for Central Florida. She initially hesitated when considering starting a chapter for younger women.

“I thought, ‘Oh gosh, I can’t do this. What do I know about teenage girls?” Drazenovich said.

She recounted sharing her concerns at an annual conference: “It was in a good way, like the Holy Spirit has other plans for you,” Drazenovich said.

Upon returning home, she decided to move forward with forming the group she wished had existed during her own youth. Now entering its second year, Young Women of Grace brings together teens each week to discuss topics such as identity as daughters of God, types of prayer, evangelization, and challenges facing young people today. This year also marks the start of Pathfinders—a similar group for boys at St. Timothy Parish.

Veronica Timmons, youth director at St. Timothy Parish, highlighted trends among young Catholics: “With my experience in education, I see teenagers and young people, young adults leaving the church in droves. They’re just walking away… So my hope is that the young people find a home with the Church and that they find community there because even if they leave, they’ll come back.”

Aurora shared how joining Young Women of Grace met her need for connection: “I didn’t have an outlet to talk about my girlhood nor my religion…Women of Grace really provided that space for me,” she said.

Sandra echoed this sentiment: “I feel like there’s a better sense of community now because I get to know other people my age who are Catholic… It’s been helpful when sharing because they have similar issues and questions.”

Both Timmons and Drazenovich expressed hopes that these programs will expand within other parishes as well.

“You know why I want to do this and why I feel so compelled to do this… It’s because I want to give those teenagers the opportunity to know and love and serve the Lord and fall in love with Jesus,” Drazenovich said.

Timmons added: “I just really feel the Holy Spirit working in the parish… In addition to these classes [the teens] want to come and volunteer… And I think that’s just such a blessing for the parish but also for those teens.”

St. Timothy Parish is part of the Diocese of Orlando, which was established in 1968. The diocese includes Brevard, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia Counties; it comprises 79 parishes along with missions and schools under Bishop James Noonan’s leadership.