9/26/2014 A Year in Youth Ministry (One sample of calendar items to include in YOUR planning)Read NowOne Year in Youth Ministry: Listed are just a few things to be on the look-out for each month as well as some ministry ideas that fall into place at certain times. What would you add to the list? January · Happy New Year! Encourage youth and families to celebrate the New Year with Mass as it is a Holy Day of Obligation. · Epiphany is great time to encourage teens and families to share their gifts with Jesus by sharing with the community. · Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a great time for service (perhaps before skiing, sledding, and other popular outdoor activities.) · March for Life in Washington, D.C. February · Eagle of the Cross nomination deadline · Summer trip planning for missions, work camps, conferences, etc. · Consider sending last year’s high school graduates a care package during Valentine’s month to them at college, military or even still at home working hard! March · Lenten activities – be sure the youth are included in larger parish offerings like a Parish Mission, Reconciliation Services, Stations of the Cross, etc. · Discuss our Lenten practices and see how well the teens can describe them (catechize where they need clearer understandings.) · Look for the NCYC information in odd-numbered years (registration packet, deposit due dates, etc.), or preliminary DYC info in even years. April · Usually Holy Week and Easter related activities – the most holy times of our Church. Do your teens/families participate in the Triduum events? How can you better include them? · Eagle of the Cross ceremony – Mass open to public, banquet by invitation only. May · Go to the Parish Ministers Spring Retreat · Blessing of Prom goers (and prayer for those not going to prom?) · Mother’s Day · Prayer before exams and ending of a school year · Pentecost – Happy Birthday Church – evangelize and share the Good News! June · Baccalaureate Mass for graduating seniors · Teens helping at Parish VBS program · Father’s Day July · Summer mission trip, conference, or other outing · Teens help at the parish picnic and/or county fair August · Back to school Blessing of students and teachers · Collect school supplies to donate to a Pack the Bus or similar project · Register for the NCCYM in December or the OCEA in October, as appropriate September · Parish Youth Ministry Report form completion · Look for Diocesan Youth Convention registration packets in even-numbered years. · Request tickets for the D.C. March for Life Youth Rally, if hoping to attend · Religious Education kick off – intentional catechesis done in CCD style or in mini-courses, LifeNites, home study, Generations of Faith, Bible studies, etc. October · In odd years, attend the Ohio Catholic Education Association (OCEA) Convention · Homecoming blessings – players, cheerleaders, band, etc., as well as court and dance-goers (alternate activity for those not wanting to go to dance?) · Local Celebration of World Youth Day on 30th Sunday of ordinary time (usually around Halloween) – how will your parish celebrate the gifts of our young members? · Look for a diocesan conference for you as a catechist/minister to attend. November · Diocesan Youth Convention OR National Catholic Youth Convention · Thanksgiving holidays December · In even years, attend the National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry (NCCYM) · Advent activities – waiting in joyful hope! · Pray at the diocesan Advent Day of Reflection · Christmas activities – maybe your teens will take Giving Tree tags? Offer gift-wrapping or babysitting to help busy moms? Christmas Carol at a nursing home?
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While the component of Pastoral Care in ministries with youth is about helping to support healthy growth and development for the teen, often within a family setting, there can be times that we encounter youth with concerning situations. As trusting relationships build in ministry, we may find that people really open their hearts to us and share struggles that they are having personally or with a loved one. We might be told of substance abuse, addiction, unplanned pregnancy, depression, suicidal thoughts, physical abuse, neglect, violent behavior, excessive stress, bullying, rape, feelings of helplessness, serious parental conflict, and more. As caring people, we want to help....yet, when working with youth and families, it is important to recognize when you need to refer one for counseling. When you are in that situation, where do you call? Catholic Charities recently updated their list, so I am happy to share this with you to give you leads. I recommend that you give each place in your county a call and see how open they are (and welcoming they sound) for your referral needs. {See document below.} Also, be sure to see what resources you have in your own parish and a neighboring parish. Often psychologists, psychiatrists and counsels are members of our Churches. WHEN TO REFER David Switzer states that it is wise to refer when: 1. We simply don't understand what's going on with the other person, why the person feels and behaves as she/he does, even after we've had opportunity to talk with that persona bout what's going on. 2. We recognize that the person is psychotic or has a tenacious depression. 3. The person is suicidal or is making serious threats against someone else. 4. We suspect that the person may have some physical disorder, may need a physical examination, and/or may need medication. 5. A person is dependent on alcohol or some other chemical substance, including prescription drugs. 6. It had seemed as if this were a person appropriate to with with, but after a while we realize that no change is taking place, we're beginning to feel frustrated and we don't know what else to do. 7. We find ourselves beginning to shut the person out emotionally. 8. We feel consciously afraid because the person appears to be dangerous to us. 9. We feel angry at the person and aren't clear about the reason. 10. We want to take care of everything for the person and are not really helping the person to be responsible for him/herself. 11. We want to guard our relationship with the person and not let anyone else participate in significant helping with him/her. 12. The situation is primarily a family problem and the family pattern of interaction is complex. (Taken from Guides to Youth Ministry: Pastoral Care, edited by Sharon Reed) Thank you for all you do to help achieve Goal 3 of our framework for Catholic Youth Ministry:
(For more on this goal and the framework, visit this web page: http://www.usccb.org/about/laity-marriage-family-life-and-youth/young-adults/renewing-the-vision.cfm ) |
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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
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