How do you honor the teens at your parish about to graduate from high school? I have heard many great ideas from parishes in our diocese and around the country, such as: -- Setting aside a Sunday Mass at which they are called up and prayed over with a blessing that helps send them into the next phase of life. -- A special Mass for all teens and their families wherein the seniors are honored with a gift (College Study Bible, cross or crucifix they can hang on a wall in their dorm/apartment/room, a plaque with a meaningful saying on it, etc.) -- Seniors invited to speak to eigth graders about the imporantance of living the faith in high school (yes, it is a favor you ask of them, but still an honor to be asked as the 8th graders will love them!) -- Getting their physical address in September to send cards, parish bulletin, pictures, or a batch of homemade cookies (this is important not only to those who may be away at college or in the military, but also to keep the locals connected with your community!) Also good to send a Christmas card...and Easter... What other ideas would you like to share? Email to [email protected] P.S. Also, please do not forget to have those planning to attend college in Ohio complete and submit the card found at: http://www.cdeducation.org/oym/cm/connection.htm P.S.S. Ideas and a Blessing of Graduates posted at: http://www.nfcym.org/resources/ymrm/gradbless.htm (added 6.2.13)
0 Comments
As I saw this image today on Facebook, I immediately hit "Share" and added: GREAT QUESTION! Today, I strive to be good soil. Later, I decided to add a link to the scripture reference (http://usccb.org/bible/matthew/13 ), a YouTube video of the parable being shared in a movie and a YouTube video of a brief homily on the reading. I then realized what a great catechetical tool Facebook CAN be....we know it works well for sharing information, playing games, sharing recipes, etc. But, if we INTENTIONALLY plan mini-lessons plans with links to good videos, readings, articles, etc., how much learning can we encourage our teens/families to do?! The possibilities are endless. This approach removes some barriers (no time to be at CCD/PSR/PREP/religious ed... no access to internet in your classroom or meeting space...they can 'share' it with their friends, if they are so bold....parents can see what is being covered...), however, this only works for those who have 'wired teens' with smart phones, tablets or computers with Internet, so you can decide if this can work in your area. Ela Milewska, Project Coordinator for the National Initiative on Adolescent Catechesis has been playing with the idea of setting up a Facebook group page only for catechesis, wherein a parish could post all the "boring details" for programs in one area, but then take advantage of remote-formation by posting links for prayer, content and reflection. Students can then review the material PRIOR to coming together and spend time in discussion when gathered (great bonus for introverts who need more time to process before sharing!) I loved this idea, and still may ponder those possibilities.... in the meantime, however, I want to continue "sowing seeds" in my posts. Please share how YOU have been using technology to help educate and form our young people and their families? |
Details
*** 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
Categories
All
|