Life Teen is a Catholic youth ministry organization and movement that began in 1985 as an answer to Saint John Paul II's call for a New Evangelization. Since starting at St. Timothy's Catholic Church in Mesa, Arizona, Life Teen has extended to more than 1,500 parishes in over 30 different countries, including South Africa, China, Spain, the Philippines, and the Netherlands.

Life Teen is not your typical youth group or teen program. Centered around the Eucharist and aimed at high school teenagers in grades 9 to 12, Life Teen's mission is to "Lead teens closer to Christ." This is achieved by an emphasis on community development through religious and social activities. Life Teen is a community of young people who come together to share in all aspects of their life from work to play to spirituality.

Life Teen Hanover was established in 2004 at St. Mary of the Sacred Heart Parish by current pastor Father Chris Hickey. In June 2014, St. Mary's in Hanover and Saint Helen's in Norwell SMASHED together to form the Holy Mothers Collaborative. As a result, Life Teen SMASH (Saint Mary's And Saint Helen's) was born. In July 2021, St. Mary's in Hanover, St. Helen's in Norwell, and St. Thecla's in Pembroke merged to form one new parish (St. Mary's - St. Helen's - St. Thecla's). On October 2, 2022, Cardinal Seán O'Malley issued a decree that the parish shall be hereby known as Our Lady of the Angels Parish. Life Teen SMASH is proud to serve the teens and families of Hanover, Norwell, Pembroke, and the surrounding community.

As a program centered on the Eucharist, the most important aspect of Life Teen is the dynamic Mass held EVERY Sunday night at 6 p.m. at St. Mary's in Hanover. Life Teen Mass is an active, participatory liturgy that is specifically directed at teens. Teens play vital roles in all parts of the Mass, including serving as Eucharistic Ministers and Lectors. Homilies tackle topics that relate to teens because that is what they want and need to hear about. And the music... well, let's just say it's not your traditional church music. The Life Teen SMASH Band, a professional and energetic five piece band, provides the music at every Life Teen Mass, helping to create an atmosphere that is as upbeat as it is spiritual. Please come join us on Sunday evenings for a Mass unlike any other! All are welcome!

Coming to Mass is the best way to become involved in Life Teen, but the easiest way to meet people and make new friends is to join us for a Life Night after Mass. Life Nights are held in the Life House on select Sunday nights after Life Teen Mass. These nights provide an opportunity for teens to grow deeper in their faith and meet new people. In addition to learning about different teachings of the Church, teens also get to discuss how to apply these teachings to their daily lives and deal with whatever struggles or issues they are facing. Of course, the night would be incomplete without some fellowship and delicious food provided by our parent Lifeguard volunteers. At the end of Life Nights, we sing "Hail Mary, Gentle Woman" to the Blessed Mother - the patroness of Life Teen.

Every Monday night we gather in the Life House as a community for Pizza and Prayer. Pizza and Prayer offers the teens a chance to pray with and for one another, while deepening their relationship with Jesus Christ. On a typical Monday night, it is not unlikely for there to be 60 or more teens gathered together, praying and singing. The setting is informal, relaxed, and peaceful. Occasionally, the teens are also able to approach Jesus in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament during Pizza and Prayer. Following prayer, there is plenty of time to socialize, make new friends, and enjoy free pizza and soda. Pizza and Prayer is held every Monday night in the Life House from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and is a great way to deal with those Monday blues!

Life Teen SMASH offers two overnight retreats every year: one in the fall (Thanksgiving weekend) and one in the spring (usually April or May). Retreats provide the teens with some time to get away from their daily lives and experience God in a new light. Retreatants become renewed in their faith and develop a deeper understanding of God's unconditional love for them. Retreatants are also provided with a wonderful opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and adore the Lord in Eucharistic Adoration. Our Fall and Spring Retreats are two of our most popular events of the year and are a major highlight for our teens!

Although Life Teen is centered on the Eucharist, a significant aim of the program is to give teens a safe place to call their own, be themselves, and make lasting friendships. It is for this reason that Life Teen SMASH has activities planned almost every day of the week. From Homework Days to Movie Nights to Apple Picking, there are plenty of fun social events throughout the year!