Education and Formation

Meet Our New High School Youth Minister, Mike Cleary
After an extensive and comprehensive search, we are pleased to announce that we have a new staff member joining the Religious Education and Faith Formation Team here at St. Laurence!
 
Mike Cleary, the new High School Youth Minister starts on May 4 ^th. Mike has nearly 10 years of youth ministry experience and most recently served as Director of Youth Faith Formation at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Houston. Mike has experience leading Middle School, High School and Confirmation preparation programs at several parishes in Arizona and Texas.
 
Mike is a welcome addition to our Youth Ministry Team and his unique gifts and talents will be a blessing to our parish community. Mike and his wife live in the Richmond area and they are looking forward to becoming part of our worshiping community once we can gather safely again.


Tell us about your family?
My wife (Raquel) and I have been married for 3 and a half years. We currently live in Richmond. We had a cat, but he ran away, so it is just the two of us for now. I have one brother. He and my mom live in the Phoenix area, where I am originally from. My dad passed away when I was in 8th grade. 

What/who inspired you to be a Youth Minister?
I had some awesome youth ministers in both middle school as well as high school. It was them, as well as some friends of mine, that encouraged me to become a Youth Minister. 

What is most rewarding part of working in Youth Ministry?
The most rewarding part of Youth Ministry for me has been seeing middle school and high school students share their faith with their friends and family. I have seen multiple non-Catholic friends come into the Church, as well as parents and older siblings return to Jesus and the Church, all because of the witness of teens. 

Would you say you’re more of an extrovert or an introvert?
Most personality tests have said I am more introverted, and I would have to agree with them. Actually, growing up in middle school and high school, I had a stutter and hated talking. I totally get where Moses was coming from (Exodus 4:10-14) when he didn't want to speak on behalf of the Lord because of his stutter. I never would have thought I would be speaking in front of large groups of people one day but good thing God can take any of our brokenness and use it for His glory. 

What's one thing that can instantly make your day better?
A random text or call from my wife.

What are your hobbies?
Watching sports or going to the gym. (I am not sure which one I miss more during this quarantine thing) 

What’s your favorite food and/or restaurant?
Pluckers. Anything from Pluckers. (Thankfully they still have pick-up during the quarantine) 

What's your favorite board game?
Monopoly. I am super competitive, except family never want to play with me because the game takes forever. 

What’s your favorite quote?
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."
-Howard Thurman

"Wikipedia is the best thing ever. Anyone in the world can write anything they want about any subject, so you know you are getting the best possible information." -Michael Scott, The Office. 

Who do you admire most?
My mom. I know I took it for granted when I was younger, but what she did as a single mom was pretty impressive. 

What is your biggest irrational fear?
Ants or Ant hills. They're the worst. 

If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Be able to eat a lot of Pluckers (see favorite food question) and not gain any weight.