Youth & Young Adult Ministry

“This is what is needed: a Church for young people, which will know how to speak to their heart and enkindle, comfort, and inspire enthusiasm in it with the joy of the Gospel and the strength of the Eucharist; a Church which will know how to invite and to welcome the person who seeks a purpose for which to commit his whole existence; a Church which is not afraid to require much, after having given much; which does not fear asking from young people the effort of a noble and authentic adventure, such as that of the following of the Gospel” (John Paul II, 1995 World Day of Prayer for Vocations).

Mission

The Office of Youth Ministry mission is to support, empower, affirm and challenge the efforts of parish communities in their ministry to, with and for youth.” This ministry helps parish youth ministry coordinators organize, implement and maintain a comprehensive youth ministry, therefore; it creates an environment in which youth and adults can be involved together liturgically, sacramentally, and catechetically.

Goals

The goals of Catholic Youth Ministry as put forth by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops are:

• To empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in the world today.
• To draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic faith community.
• To foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person.

Training/Programs/Events

• Parish Consultations
• Training for Parish Ministry Coordinators
• Training for Adult Volunteer Leaders in Youth Ministry
• Implementation of Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic Youth Minsitry.
• SPiRiT Gatherings
• Empowering Adults Institute
• Mentoring Institute
• Cultivation Ministries
• Catholic Youth & Young Adult Summer Softball Leauge
• Outbreak of Faith: Catholic Youth Celebration
• Christ the King Feast: Youth Celebrate Christ
• Youth 2000: A Eucharistic Centered Retreat
• Youth Lenten Reflections
• Catholic HEART Work Camp
• Souper Bowl of Caring
• Chastity/Abstinence Gatherings
• World Youth Day Pilgrimages (every 2 years)
• Radix
• Catholic Committee on Scouting
• Diocesan Altar Servers Mass
• Region X Catholic Youth Conference
• National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry
• National Catholic Youth Conference

COMING SOON

• Teens CARE
• Youth Leader
• Certification in Youth Ministry Studies

Comprehensive Youth Ministry

Comprehensive youth ministry basically means two things:
Being concerned with ALL YOUTH in the parish, and the WHOLE PARISH is responsible for youth ministry.

ALL YOUTH. It is relatively easy to get a youth group up and running, and soon you'll have a set number of kids who come to most events. But what about those who don't? What about those whose families barely even make it to church twice a year? These youth aren't likely to show up for catechesis or a retreat. Comprehensive Youth Ministry aims to meet those needs. A young person who doesn't attend mass and is not connected to the church has different needs than the son or daughter of parents who are "pillars" of the parish. What can you do about these youth?

THE WHOLE PARISH. DON'T let youth ministry become a mini-parish! Use the programs and organizations that are already in place. Let the music director know that THEY are in youth ministry because there are kids in the choir! Talk to the altar server coordinator and see what the youth ministry team can do to support him/her. Partner with the Knights of Columbus for a program. Publish a list of all the jobs that need to be done in youth ministry for the year and get it into the hands of as many parishioners as possible. Challenge them to do their part!
ALL THE MISSIONS OF THE PARISH...are included in:

• The Ministry of Advocacy
• The Ministry of Catechesis
• The Ministry of Community Life
• The Ministry of Evangelization
• The Ministry of Justice and Service
• The Ministry of Leadership Development
• The Ministry of Pastoral Care
• The Ministry of Prayer and Worship

These are the eight components of Youth Ministry

A sample Youth Ministry Structure

Youth Ministry Core Team (Commission, Board, etc,)

• 5-9 Adults (2 year terms - spring-spring)
• 2-3 youth (at least entering junior year, 1 yr term)
• Youth Ministry Core Team handles items such as: Constitution and by-laws, budgets, reporting to parish leadership, working with other parish organizations, working with paid staff, goal setting, recruitment, long-range planning, and other administrative duties. May also plan activities such as youth appreciation dinners, adult/youth training, etc.

Planning Teams

• 3-4 Adults (1 year terms)
• 6-8 Youth (1 year terms)
• 3 Planning Teams - Social, Service, Spiritual
• Planning teams - plan monthly activities in their respective area. Responsible for all the details pertaining to each activity or program - who, what , when , where, why , how. Ensure that programs are planned, staffed, carried-out and evaluated.
  Everyone else...After that, the goal is to provide all adults in the parish the opportunity to help somehow. Create an annual calendar with jobs available and get it into the hands of as many adults as possible!

Don't forget the "lost sheep"...With a good structure the programs and activities will start to run smoothly. Make sure there is someone (ideally, more than one person.) calling, visiting, writing to those youth and families who are not connected.

What you can do NOW!

1. VISIT - A visitation program should be part of your ministry. Don't want to do it alone? - Don't! Include in the list the people to visit youth who don't come to youth activities and youth who are "unconnected" to the church - they are simply members on a list. Take them a little gift package including a Catholic Student Bible, some yummy treats, a calendar of events, a prayer card or two, rosary,
   The goal is not to get these youth to come to your program s, but to let them know that you are thinking about them and praying for them! To let them know that they are LOVED because they are our brothers and sisters in Christ!
2. INCLUDE THEM in mailings about events and activities. Don't send your newsletter only to the 30 youth who "sign up" for youth group - send it to all youth. One day something may click and a youth will take a chance to get involved.
3. WRITE - to them: personal letters, birthday cards, congratulations when you see them in the paper for sports, awards, etc. You may find an adult or two that take this on as their job throughout the year - ideal for an older parishioner who wants to help but cant make activities!

REMEMBER...

By taking the time to build a structure your ministry will be better capable of hitting the ground running. It will also be firmly grounded in the parish structure and pastoral plan.
Keep the pastor informed! The goal is for youth ministry to be an integral part of the pastoral plan....not a side note!

What is needed today is a Church which knows how to respond to the expectations of young people. Jesus wants to enter into dialogue with them and, through his body which is the Church, to propose the possibility of a choice which will require a commitment of their lives. As Jesus with the disciples of Emmaus, so the Church must become today the traveling companion of young people ... (Youth: Sent to Proclaim True Liberation, World Youth Day 1995, Philippines)

, Director of Youth Ministry
1615 Kuhn St.• Edinburg, TX 78539 • Phones (956) 383-0133 • Fax (956) 387-0738
1850 Ridgely Rd.• Brownsville, TX 78520 • Phone (956) 541-9697 • Fax (956) 542-3942

last updated 19-Sep-2008 13:30 sitemap