Verso l'Alto is a place for students to be real, make friends, laugh, and live life to the fullest. Everything we do is open to all 9-12th graders. You don't have to go to a certain school, church, or be Catholic to come. Verso l'Alto meets Sundays 7-9pm from September-May (in the youth room at Saint Bernard), and offers several retreats a year, an annual June mission week, and other special events! Contact Joni Mulvaney with questions and to join our email list.
FALL 2022 

​​Subject to change! Join the email list for the most current info.
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Sunday, September 18 // MESSY GAMES AND BONFIRE - SIGN UP/DETAILS
6:30-9 PM Our Lady of Grace Field
Dress code: Blackout ⚫

Sunday, September 25 // DIP NIGHT
7-9 PM St. Bernard Youth Room
Dress code: Comfy/sweats 😴 
(Bring your fave chips + dip!)

Sunday, October 2 //
7-9 PM St. Bernard Youth Room
Dress code: Groutfits (gray on gray) ⚪

Sunday, October 9 //
7-9 PM St. Bernard Youth Room
Dress code: Adam Sandler 🧢

Sunday, October 16 //
7-9 PM St. Bernard Youth Room

Sunday, October 23 // PUMPKIN CARVING + STEELERS WATCH PARTY
7-?? PM St. Bernard Youth Room
Dress code: Jerseys or Halloween costume 🎃
(Bring your own pumpkin/tools!)

Sunday, October 30 // PILGRIMAGE AND MASS AT ST. ANTHONY'S - SIGN UP/DETAILS COMING SOON
10:45 AM Carpool meets at St. Bernard  

Sunday, November 6 // Q &A NIGHT WITH PIE BAR
7-9 PM St. Bernard Youth Room
(Bring your fave pie!!) 🥧

Sunday, November 13 // FRIENDSGIVING
7-9 PM St. Bernard Youth Room
Dress code: Fancy/dress up

Sunday, November 18-20 // THE FALL RETREAT - SIGN UP/DETAILS
Friday 7 PM (Carpool will meet at 6) to Sunday 1 PM
Camp Allegheny in Ellwood City, PA
Must sign up before 10/17!

Sunday, November 27 // TURKEY BOWL 
1-3 PM Our Lady of Grace Field
Flag football adults vs. teens
Families invited!

Sunday, December 4 // PRAISE AND PIZZA
7-9 PM St. Bernard Youth Room

Sunday, December 11 // CHRISTMAS PARTY
7-9 PM St. Bernard Youth Room
What happens on a Sunday night at VLA? You can expect to arrive and hang out - catch up, eat snacks, shoot hoops - then get started with games (usually competitive, usually make everyone laugh, super not cheesy, we promise or your money back... JK it's free). Most nights there's a talk by a junior, senior, or core team member about a topic chosen by the upperclassmen before the start of the semester. After the talk, everyone splits into smaller groups to discuss the topic and how it affects them, what they really think about it, ask questions, and whatever else comes up. Some upcoming and past topics include Eucharistic miracles, organized religion, arguments for the existence of God, and different ways to pray. Every night ends with prayer. Everyone in high school is always welcome! 

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"Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set an example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity." - 1 Timothy 4:12


​Why "Verso l'Alto"? Our name is the motto of a Catholic saint named Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (the guy rock climbing in that picture). In Italian, it means "to the heights!" He was a normal young man who loved his friends, adventures, serving the poor, and Jesus. He inspires us! Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, pray for us!


​Joni Mulvaney
Director of Youth, Young Adult Ministry,
​and Digital Communication
jmulvaney@smapgh.org
​Office: 412-561-0570