In a memo sent to each parish to the attention of the Coordinator for Youth Ministries, the following information was shared: The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on Home Missions graciously granted the OY&YAM money to use for a proposed leadership development day for teens and adult leaders. Many of you were kind enough to participate in surveys helping to schedule an event in 2020. However, the consensus was that an online event would not be nearly as effective, and with the pandemic protocols lasting throughout the year, we were unable to meet in person. I inquired about an extension on the funds but was denied. Therefore, another plan needed to be developed. The result is this mailing. National news reports that vaccines for minors may not come until summer/early fall 2021, so many of our current protocols may continue for a while (i.e. masks, social distancing, etc.) This seems like a perfect time to consider intentional small groups that can meet either online or in person (ten people or fewer). As Pope Francis emphasizes (in “The Joy of the Gospel” and “Christus Vivit” in particular), we need to accompany one another. That is, we need to build relationships, take time to listen to each other’s stories and to journey together in faith. These are all aspects that small groups incorporate! To help you get started, or to build upon current efforts, the following tools/resources were sent with the memo: 1. Book: Essentials for Small Group Leaders There is a companion training video (12 minutes) entitled “Facilitation Skills for Leaders” posted at: https://vimeo.com/266386697/58d8b51ecf that I suggest you view and consider sharing with future facilitators. By training more and more adults to facilitate small groups, we will have more adults journeying with the teens in faith. We can also work towards training teens to become co-facilitators that help lead future groups with adult mentors. 2. Resource Packet This contains a few pieces to get you started, but is by no means an exhaustive list of opportunities or resources. Feel free to use what works for your faith community and augment with other resources you discover. You will find planning tools, three (3) workshop sessions with reproducible handouts that you can use virtually or in person with your leaders and prospective leaders on Communication Skills and Christian Leadership, as well as “Guidelines for Facilitating Small-Group Faith-Sharing Discussion.” The following is a sample of resources available for small groups to use. Look them over to see if any may work for your community. Most of these are lectionary-based, but you can also run groups that are theme-based. Also, know that the Diocesan Library has video and print resources for use as well. FREE RESOURCES: 1. Disciples on the Journey For Lent – available in English and Spanish Family version: https://disciplesonthejourney.org/family-teen-download Teen version: https://www.ascensioncatholic.net/Commentaries-on-the-Sunday-Readings 2. Fr. Eamon Tobin's Writings - Posted on his parish website, (click on Commentaries, scroll down to SCC) https://www.ascensioncatholic.net/Commentaries-on-the-Sunday-Readings His guidelines with proposed meeting format: https://uploads.weconnect.com/mce/f90a34bcd66e597a5d391005bf1e14a7c70f1d2c/FatherTobinsWritings/Guidelines%20for%20Facilitating%20Small-group%20final%2005222019.pdf ---- 3. Renew International Phone Apps “Pray the Gospels” and “Pray 2gether” (can also receive as emails) https://pages.renewintl.org/apps 4. U.S. Bishops Site resources for small groups: https://www.usccb.org/search?key=small%20groups FOR A FEE: 1. Spirit – Created for teens based on the Sunday Gospels https://goodgroundpress.com/faith/spirit/ 2. St. Mary’s Press – variety of books written to use with teens https://www.smp.org/search/?s=products&q=small+groups 3. Renew International They have a department devoted to Small Christian Communities and small groups, so have a number of options available: https://store.renewintl.org/?OpenDatabase ----- TIP: When looking for adults to potentially recruit to serve as small group leaders, seek out those who have been involved with programs like Christ Renews His Parish (“Chirp”), Renew, and Cursillo retreats, as they may already have small group training from their experiences! Remember to have at least two adults for each group, and that these adults must be in full compliance of the Diocesan Child Protection Policy. ------ As you find additional resources, let me know via email ([email protected]) and I will add them to the office webpage for Small Groups in Youth Ministry (which includes the links above): https://youngstownoyyam.weebly.com/small-groups.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “Help young people grow in fraternity, to live as brothers and sisters, to help one another, to build community…” (Christus Vivit §215)
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*** Note: The Office Blog is now inactive, but posted for continued reference as needed (6/30/21) ***Cindee Case, MPSFormer Director of the Diocese of Youngstown Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry (2/2002 - 6/2021) Archives
July 2021
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