Each January, on or around the date that the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade
and Doe v Bolton decisions legalized abortion, the March for Life along with numerous Masses, prayer services, rallies and conferences take place. Many travel to Washington, D.C. in most years, but this year will be more virtual. This will allow even more people to be part of opposition to a culture of death. This is also a wonderful opportunity to delve more into ALL life issues. You can do this by sharing resources (website, social media, snail-mailed information), forming a small group to discuss the issues, have virtual/online sessions, gather safely in-person with all pandemic protocols followed, Here are links to websites that may be of assistance:
In 2021, be sure to share with families the news about all the virtual opportunities, many or which are listed at: youngstownoyyam.weebly.com/march-for-life-with-youth.html I am also hearing of creative ways to still have a "March for Life" experience closer to home:
----- A Prayer for Life Father and maker of all, you adorn all creation with splendor and beauty, and fashion human lives in your image and likeness. Awaken in every heart reverence for the work of your hands, and renew among your people a readiness to nurture and sustain your precious gift of life. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen. ((c) USCCB)
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I have been watching "Designated Survivor" on Netflix lately. Since it was a broadcast TV show, there are several episodes in each of the 3 seasons. On Season 2, episode 10, the White House Chief-of-Staff character, names Emily, is having a conversation with a woman struggling between her religious beliefs and medical care for her daughter. In the course of the conversation, she asks Emily is she is religious. Emily replies that she went to 9 years of Catholic School.... then adds that she never found God there (or saw God there?).... I am sad now that I cannot recall the exact wording. I may need to rewatch to hear that conversation again. However, as soon as I heard the statement, I was stunned. I nearly cried. Yes, I realize that this is a fictitious TV show, but someone on the scripting team wrote those words. Likely from personal experience. I know I should not be stunned, as I read the research that has been coming at us for years now about the "Nones" who no longer affiliate with any religion. 20-25% according to Gallup (https://news.gallup.com/opinion/polling-matters/267920/millennials-religiosity-amidst-rise-nones.aspx) I have very close friends who went to Catholic schools elementary through high school, some even then in college, who no longer practice. One friends calls herself a "recovering Catholic." It breaks my heart. Barna research shared in 2018 that 13% of teens call themselves atheist (https://www.barna.com/research/atheism-doubles-among-generation-z/) I am also challenged by this. Emily's comment was about Catholic school. If a student can spend five days a week, for about 37 weeks a year and not have seen God present, how much harder might it be for those of us in youth ministries who may only get a few hours each month with the youth? Goal #1 for Catholic Youth Ministry is "To empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today" (Renewing the Vision, page 9). But to be a disciple, one has to know the person they follow. They have to KNOW Jesus. Not just know things about him. Not just learn about people that knew him. Not just believe that so long as I try to be a good person, I am a disciple. But to KNOW, encounter, feel loved by and develop love for Jesus. How are our youth ministry helping provide opportunities for this if the teens have not yet had an encounter of God's love through Jesus? And for those who have encountered Jesus, "youth ministry should always include occasions for renewing and deepening our personal experience of the love of God and the living Christ." (Christus Vivit # 214). Do we take the time, at least annually, to share "A Great Message for All Young People" from Pope Francis (chapter 4 of Christus Vivit)? Do teens involved at our parish KNOW a God who loves them? Are they assured that Christ as saved them? Can they feel that Christ is alive? And can they rely on the Holy Spirit to assist them? Do we share how God is alive in our own lives? Can we help the teens see God at work in their own lives today? Then help them to reflect on and articulate that to others? If we provide opportunities for teens to see a God that is alive and in their daily life, and if they can accept that "For him (they) have worth... are important to him...(they) are the work of his hands" (Christus Vivit #115), then they will have encountered God. They are on the road to being disciples of God in the world today. And hopefully, they will never as adults tell someone that they were involved at the parish but never found God there. They will have God in their own hearts, and have seen it in the members of the community. Consider “Jubilee” as we Venture out after the COVID-19 Quarantine As the world prepared to move from the 1900s to the 2000s two decades ago, there was a good bit of fear due to the “Y2K” which was the very real problem of computer systems programmed with dates only up to December 31, 1999. This meant that all systems run on computers could shut down. Luckily, computer programmers got to work, and the “crash” was avoided. The Catholic Church wanted to focus on more positive and uplifting thoughts. Pope John Paul II designated a process for prayer, learning and service leading up to 2000, with themes for the three years leading up to it: 1997 – Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today 1998 – The Holy Spirit 1999 – God the Father Then the year 2000 was a Great Jubilee year, a Holy Year, which had the theme: OPEN WIDE THE DOOR TO CHRIST: Evangelize, Reconcile, Celebrate! As a young adult at the time, it was typical to move around every couple of years, so preparations for these years was done while I worked in the Diocese of Cleveland Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry/CYO, then was carried out in my work for the Diocese of St. Augustine Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, then I celebrated the Jubilee year in the Archdiocese of Atlanta Office of Young Adult Ministry at a huge Eucharistic Congress which included tracks for children, middle school, high school, young adults, Spanish language, and general sessions, along with a large celebration of the Eucharist in the Georgia World Center (and event that has continued until this year, canceled by COVID-19, by the way.) All of these dioceses (and numerous others, including the Diocese of Youngstown) added sessions during the preparation years and Jubilee year – more formation programs, more events, more parish missions, more special Masses, more prayer experiences, and more and more… Ironically, for a Jubilee year, based on the celebrations of our Jewish ancestors, was to take a time-out – they said for the land to lie fallow… Take time to break from busyness, SLOW DOWN, spend time in silence… take time to reflect… take time for prayer…. take time with the Scriptures, "In order to prepare ourselves for the jubilee and to open the door to the new millennium, all of us need to take a break from the “busyness” of contemporary life. Our home, work, and church lives are incredibly busy – typically marked by endless activities that provide little time for personal reflection or spiritual growth. Use the Jubilee as an opportunity to slow down…" (“A Parish Guide to the Jubilee Year: Open Wide the Doors to Christ – Evangelize, Reconcile, Celebrate!” © 1999, Unites States Catholic Conference, Inc., page 35.) Part of me would like to apologize for all the extra plans that I was part of planning 20 years ago that made Church busier and placed more expectations on the faithful to do more and more…. I was naïve and caught up in the excitement. There were many amazing programs and experiences, but it really did ramp up Church activities that never really slowed down. I am grateful that during this horrible pandemic, I have finally taken to heart some of the words I heard during the preparations for the Great Jubilee 2000… and maybe I can help integrate them into 2020 vision (pun intended). As the Jubilee focused on the transition from the 2nd to the 3rd Millennium…. We can now take time to transition from the hectic nature of pre-COVID-19 lifestyles to choosing to slow down a little post-pandemic…. Psalm 37 verse 7 tells us to “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.” In the Gospel of Matthew chapter 11, verse 28: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. And as Jesus spent time with Martha and Mary, in Luke, chapter 10: As they continued their journey, he entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary [who] sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” I can easily find myself acting like Martha – focused on tasks that I perceive need to be done, but Jesus reminds us that spending time with him is the better part…. Tasks are important yet growing in faith is more so! Tara Brach, a psychologist in New Jersey said: “Stepping out of the busyness, stopping our endless pursuit of getting somewhere else, is perhaps the most beautiful offering we can make to our spirit.” So, how might we utilize some of the tools from the Holy Year of decades ago now? The parish Guide for the Jubilee Year 2000 from which I quoted above, lists 9 Ways to Live Jubilee: 1. Pray daily – personal, Scripture, meditation, spiritual reading, and so on. 2. Practice forgiveness - examine your conscience and celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation when we are permitted again… also consider the people with whom you may need to reconcile relationship. 3. Celebrate the Eucharist – once the Churches open again, go when you can, but pray Spiritual Communion and really be attentive during Virtual Mass…. Actively participate! 4. Live a just life – are you familiar with our Catholic Social Teachings? If not, learn more about how we are called to live our faith in the world by how we treat other people, civic life, and the environment. 5. Help the poor – practice charitable acts as possible and work for community-based solutions for the causes of poverty and injustice. 6. Be a Domestic Church – we have had weeks now to work on Being Church at home… do not lose the good things that have come of that! Keep working on your family prayer and kindness towards each other! 7. Share faith – yes, we are called to Evangelize… The Psalmist proclaims (39:7), “My hope is in you (Lord),” and then we read in the book of Peter (3:15), “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” So, how has God been a source of hope for you? What is an important image of God for you and why? How have we seen God at work in our own lives? Share these insights with others, and you are evangelizing! 8. Join a small Christian community – this is perfect virtually and as we move into our limits of groups of 10, or even when we move to 20 or 50, that we can meet in small groups for faith sharing, Bible studies, discussion groups. 9. Know your faith – respond to the call to continue learning about our Triune God, our Church, our sacred Scripture, our Tradition, our Rituals, etc. Read, participate in webinars, take classes, and so on. And I will add a 10th Way to live Jubilee now…. The 4 Major Basilicas around Rome - St. John Lateran, St. Peter's Basilica, Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, and Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore each have a ‘Holy Door” that is locked most of the time, but opened for special occasions like the Jubilee year… There are special prayer services for when the Holy Door is opened and then when it is locked again… while it is open, faithful make pilgrimages to walk through while praying. During the year 2000, every diocesan Cathedral and other designated Churches dedicated special doors for local pilgrimage. While for different reasons, all our Churches had their doors locked for the safety of the community during the pandemic, but soon they will re-open… and I’d invite you to treat the door you enter as a Holy Door… go slowly and prayerfully, thanking God for his presence outside and inside the Church building, outside and inside our hearts… make being back in a Church for Mass or Reconciliation or prayer time a special moment of Jubilee! So, as many people keep saying they are eager to get back to normal, I want to encourage you to avoid the pre-pandemic normal… do not allow your calendar to become packed full again…. Parents, this is a chance to reconsider running your kids in a million directions for sports, dance, martial arts, etc. or even just over-scheduling yourself. Ease back into life, reflect on what is most important to you and take the keys from the 2000 Great Jubilee to make a spiritual pilgrimage to a time of slowing down, focusing on Christ, the Holy Spirit, and God the Father as to Open Wide the Doors of our faith… And may the fruits of the Spirit become abundant in our lives as a result: “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control …” (Galatians 5:22). Likely, you now a person or two (or twenty) who were raised Catholic but that no longer practice the faith. (After all, research now claims that "Nones" are 23.1% of the U.S. Population! Roman Catholics are 23%, per General Social Survey data analyzed by Ryan Burge of Eastern Illinois University. "Nones" are Americans who state they do not affiliate with any religious tradition, i.e. on surveys when asked what religion they are, they would check NONE.) Some have been hurt by the Church... others have just wandered away... some may disagree with specific Catholic teaching.... others may have misunderstood (or been taught un-truths)…. many did not feel loved, needed, accepted by or like they belonged to a parish.... others say they just don't have time... and I am sure there are many more reasons. Have any of these folks asked you why you are still Catholic? Or, have you ever just shared (in a loving, caring conversation), why being Catholic is important to you? While it may not change their minds at the moment, or it may start a discussion (hopefully, not an argument), it might make them think.... It is possible that no one ever talked about why the faith is important to them and how being Catholic impacts daily living. So, WHY ARE YOU CATHOLIC? What do you like most about being Catholic? Your response should be shared with the youth (and the families) with whom you serve. Hearing the answers from others will help the teens to formulate their own answers. Take some time to thing about it and pray about. Also consider who your answer may have changed over time. If you need any inspiration, below, you can find what the 2019 Eagle of the Cross Recipients said when asked why they like about being Catholic. A few of these high school juniors and seniors are VERY insightful! (Others affirm many of the things we do in our youth ministries and parish life!) What Eagle of the Cross 2019 Recipients Like about being Catholic:
How Christian do you think your town/city/community is? Many news stories in the past several years have addressed the "Rise of the Nones" as they say, that is the growing number of people that indicate in surveys or interviews that their religious affiliation is NONE (as opposed to Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, etc.) For decades, there have been concerns about atheists and agnostics. How many times have you seen such articles or new stories? And, when you have seen those articles, how many times have you thought, "Oh, that is too bad, but I am glad that isn't around here?" Not to be a Debbie-Downer, but yesterday (June 5th) Barna Research shared information entitled: The Most Post-Christian Cities in America: 2019 The good news: Communities in the Diocese of Youngstown did were NOT listed in the Top Ten. The bad news: Youngstown-Warren came in at #63, and Cleveland-Akron-Canton came in at #67. As for other cities around us in the Top One Hundred List, we have: 28. Detroit, MI 35. Toledo, OH 36. Pittsburgh, PA 59. Columbus, OH 70. Dayton, OH 71. Cincinnati, OH Keep in mind that this is surveying all people, of all backgrounds, not Roman Catholic specifically, but this is the like the air we breathe, it is all around us, and does include Catholics. The factors considered were:
To qualify as “post-Christian,” individuals had to meet nine or more of the following factors. Highly post-Christian” individuals meet 13 or more of the factors (out of these 16 criteria). How would you rate using this list? Parents, how might you address some of these with your family? I see great possibilities in: reading the Bible together, volunteering, praying, sharing stories of the importance of your faith/God/prayer/Church participation, and how Jesus is part of your daily life! College students and young adults with roommates, many of the suggestions for parents above can easily be done with your dorm-mates or roommates and groups of friends. Side note: in the Catholic tradition, we don't usually say we are "Born Again," however, we were at our Baptism... we continue to each time we say Amen and receive Communion, and we do every morning that we dedicate our day to God. "Sunday school" and "Small groups" may not be terms you are used to either. But are you involved with continuing education sessions, participate in your parish mission, go to speaker sessions, take Catechist Certification courses (including the Youth Ministry Online Trainings), go to Bible studies, take part in Ladies Guild, Knights of Columbus, Women's Group, Men's Fellowship, or participate in Faith Formation programs? Then, there you go! Do not let this study get your depressed, instead, use it as an incentive to find ways to more obviously live your faith. Remember that old song, "They will know we are Christians by our love"? Share God's love by doing acts of love every day. Then, next time Barna does this research, maybe Youngstown, Warren, Canton and the rest of the diocese will be lower on the list as we promote Christian living in our schools, places or work, areas of service, and everywhere we go! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To read the Barna article references, please visit: www.barna.com/research/post-christian-cities-2019/?fbclid=IwAR3zTfrp-ellKQ0hFBg7nar38qWH1C7YU0GccmSxuPUeNo7zNtz90Jm1wqM#.XPlmy2qsqw0.facebook To read more about the "nones" from Pew Research, visit: www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/08/08/why-americas-nones-dont-identify-with-a-religion/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Recall the words of St. Teresa of Avila: Christ has no body but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours, Yours are the eyes with which he looks Compassion on this world, Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good, Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, Yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours, Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassion on this world. Christ has no body now on earth but yours. Ahhhh, as Memorial Day weekend nears, I can hear the sighs of relief from many parish ministers, teachers, and families as another school year concludes. Another sprint through the winter and spring are almost complete, and we are celebrating: longer and warmer days.... graduations from everything from pre-schools through advanced college degrees... awards ceremonies... Sacramental Celebrations, especially Confirmations and First Holy Communions... perhaps Weddings and vacations as well.... "end of the year" retreats, parties and field trips... the closing of the 75th Anniversary of the Diocese... In any event, there seems no lack of JOY at this time of the year! WHAT BRINGS YOU JOY? Really, take a moment to reflect on the question.... sure, jot down the first things that come to your mind, but then consider if they bring laughter, satisfaction, warm-fuzzies, or true joy? Dig deeper.... what truly fills your heart with joy? Beginning this Friday and running throughout the summer, the OY&YAM Facebook page/Twitter feed will have posts from the 2019 Eagle of the Cross Recipients on what brings them joy. Perhaps, as no surprise, the most repeated answer involved family and friends. However, service and helping others ran a close second! Thank you, Coordinators for Youth Ministries for making opportunities for service and mission work possible as to help bring joy to those serving as well as those being served. My point of posting these insights is to help prompt thoughts of joy in all who will read them... and hope the readers will then share joy to those around them. Here is the full list, in no particular order (just as I typed them flipping through the Eagle of the Cross response forms). Possibly, the list will bring you some joy, and help you tap into the deep joy in your heart, so that we can continue to be "an Easter people" claiming "Alleluia is our song" as St. John Paul II said, long after this Easter season has ended. And as Pope Francis reminds us, "If we live the faith in our daily life, then our work too becomes a chance to spread the joy of being a Christian." Please, keep spreading joy in your daily life of faith! 2019 Eagle of the Cross Recipients Joys:
#DOYjoy #DOYteens "And the Survey Says..." Insights from the Diocesan Synod Surveys At the 2017 Ministry Day workshop with Fr. Chris Luoni and Cindee Case, we discussed some of what we learned through the input of nearly 500 teens, young adults, parents and Church leaders in preparing for the 15th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops focused on "Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment." We laid it out as a bit of a game show, inviting attendees to guess at the responses of the high school teens, young adults (20s and 30s) and sometimes parents/family members of the youth and young adults on a few key questions. The results surprised a few folks.... but do keep in mind that the surveys were completed voluntarily for the most part (a Catholic school religion teacher may not have given an option, and perhaps a few parents may have insisted, but it is mostly from volunteers.) Responses also came primarily from people who are very or somewhat connected to a Catholic parish or school, but I was pleased with some very honest responses on what that connection may mean for the individual. In any event, why not test yourself? Let me know if the comment section how you did, what you thought, or how a survey result might impact your ministry. And come back to this blog page for more updates throughout the year. The Powerpoint presentation is attached below (large file) and has been posted online for quick viewing at: (Click on link address or black button) www.slideshare.net/secret/LjWSb61r0tdJpQ
On Saturday, July 1 in the Hyatt Regency Orlando, a couple thousand Catholics gathered for an Evening Marian Devotion focused around Mary, Mother of Evangelization as part of the Convocation of Catholic Leaders organized by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Allow me to pause to say that despite my birthday falling on a Marian feast (Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15), and my name including a Marian-variation (Marie), I have not found myself to have a strong Marian devotion. Not that I have anything against this amazing woman who said YES to God, gave birth to our Savior and raised Jesus; I was just raised to believe that I can go directly to Christ with my prayers. So I didn't "need" Mary as much. Please do not judge me harshly as I share this only to admit that I may have considered skipping this Saturday night event.... but I did go, and I was so glad that I did. It was a highlight of the Convocation for me. I left inspired and faith-filled. Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, MSpS of San Antonio and Bishop Martin D. Holley, DD of Memphis each shared their appreciation for and strong devotions to Mary that began during their childhoods, nurtured them as they grew up and how she assist them now as they serve the Church. They also discussed that Mary is called upon by Pope Francis in Evangelii Gaudium: "Mary let herself be guided by the Holy Spirit on a journey of faith toward a destiny of service and fruitfulness. Today we look to her and ask her to help us proclaim the message of salvation to all and to enable new disciples to become evangelizers in turn." ~ EG, no. 287. We then prayed the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, with an amazing couple of twists: 1. a myriad of languages were used to pray the Hail Mary, including English, French, Vietnamese, Igbo, Tagalog, Italian, Creole, Polish, Gaelic/Irish, and Spanish; 2. different styles of songs that connected to each Mystery were sung at the completion of each decade ("The Angel Gabriel From Heaven Came," "Mary's Canticle," "What Child is This," "Mary's Song," and "El Perpetuo Socorro," along with "Immaculate Mary" at the end.) The changing up of languages during the Hail Mary really made one pause and listen to the words, rather than speeding through it as can happen in some recitations that I have been part of (and even led that way, as though there is a prize for finishing fastest!) and the songs assisted me in reflecting upon that Mystery. All the while, different images of Mary were displayed on large screens in the room. This helped to show the various ways in which people relate to the Holy Mother around the world, and in the U.S. Together, we prayed through the songs, prayers and images. It was an inspiring and up-lifting evening that I wished you could have all been part of with us. However, you can participate in spirit in the following ways: 1. Watch recordings of some parts of the evening devotion: Part 1 (bishop's talks, Ave Maria) www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLpTzvCOJa7DClAPQHoEQVv3skscx37UGo&v=wnT3V77JHaA Part 2 (praying the Rosary) www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2ZdJL1h5yI&list=PLpTzvCOJa7DClAPQHoEQVv3skscx37UGo&index=27 2. Pray the Special Prayer of Dedication to Mary taken from Evangelii Gaudium: Mary, Virgin and Mother, you who, moved by the Holy Spirit, welcomed the word of life in the depths of your humble faith: as you gave yourself completely to the Eternal One, help us to say our own “yes” to the urgent call, as pressing as ever, to proclaim the good news of Jesus. Filled with Christ’s presence, you brought joy to John the Baptist, making him exult in the womb of his mother. Brimming over with joy, you sang of the great things done by God. Standing at the foot of the cross with unyielding faith, you received the joyful comfort of the resurrection, and joined the disciples in awaiting the Spirit so that the evangelizing Church might be born. Obtain for us now a new ardor born of the resurrection, that we may bring to all the Gospel of life which triumphs over death. Give us a holy courage to seek new paths, that the gift of unfading beauty may reach every man and woman. Virgin of listening and contemplation, Mother of love, Bride of the eternal wedding feast, pray for the Church, whose pure icon you are, that she may never be closed in on herself or lose her passion for establishing God’s kingdom. Star of the new evangelization, help us to bear radiant witness to communion, service, ardent and generous faith, justice and love of the poor, that the joy of the Gospel may reach to the ends of the earth, illuminating even the fringes of our world. Mother of the living Gospel, wellspring of happiness for God’s little ones, pray for us. Amen. Alleluia! (EG 228) May Mary, Star of the New Evangelization and Patroness of the Americas continue to pray for us! Have you noticed that we have a big election coming up soon? (Yes, that was sarcasm as I am not sure how any American can be unaware even if he/she avoids TV, radio, and social media.) Hopefully, you are also aware that the Diocese of Youngstown* is sponsoring two sessions on Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship. Perhaps you have already even registered for the free event (please do so we can have adequate materials prepared for the afternoon and evening sessions.) As a young adult, perhaps you have not yet voted, or you never heard that the Catholic Church has suggestions on how we can try to balance our beliefs with our civic duty. "In the Catholic Tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation," according to the U.S. Catholic bishops (Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, No. 13). First of all, please know that Faithful Citizenship is NOT a sample ballot with boxes checked off for the candidates for whom you should vote. No, these are guidelines for your consideration, deep reflection and prayer. Recall that Jesus often taught in parables which elicited the same needs for thought before a decision could be made. It is not easy.... but it is worth the effort. If you are unable to participate in one of the September 21st sessions referenced above, please know that there are online resources to support your journey. A few pages to note include: Read and reflect upon the bulletin inserts (if your parish does not use them, you can download your own!) There are two that summarize the U.S. Bishops' document, one instructing on how to communicate with your elected officials, and a couple backgrounders like this one on Civil Dialogue: www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/parishes-and-schools/upload/Civil-Dialogue-bulletin-insert.pdf ------------------ You can watch a video to learn more about the Bishops' document: bcove.me/cdya02wu (also available in Spanish, as are many of the written resources!) ------------------- Questions to discuss over coffee (or other beverage of your choice): www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/coffee-discussion-guide.cfm -------------- Ideas for parish young adult ministries and collaboratives: www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/campuses-and-young-adults/ideas-for-ministry-to-young-adults.cfm ----------- Session plans for adult faith formation/small Christian communities: www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/adult-education-and-small-faith-community-sharing-on-the-topic-of-faithful-citizenship.cfm ------------- You can pray for others around the country during the Novena -- listen to the podcasts or read the text: www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/prayers-and-devotions/prayers/novena-for-faithful-citizenship.cfm ------------- And this is the website for even more resources to assist you form youth conscience as a faithful citizen: www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/?mc_cid=b106812cd2&mc_eid=9a210a65da -------------------- May God bless your journey. For the people of the United States, that we may be united in building a society in which everyone can have the opportunity to live with dignity and hope, we pray to the Lord. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *September 21st events sponsored by The Catholic Diocese of Youngstown Offices of: Campus Ministry, Catholic Charities, Catholic Schools, Continuing Education for Priests, CTNY, Lay Ministry Formation, Pro-Life, Marriage and Family, Permanent Diaconate, Religious Education, Social Action, Vocations, Worship, & Youth and Young Adult Ministry Hopefully, you are all aware of the two sessions being offered by the diocese* regarding "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship" on September 21, 2016, and hopefully you will all do your best to participate in one of the sessions.... However, it seems unlikely that many teens will attend, especially since many cannot yet vote. However, during middle school and high school there should be discussions had and prayers prayed. Teens see and hear the mainstream media and the social media and are concerned for their futures. Why not help them learn ways to infuse their faith with their patriotism and civic duties? The U.S. Bishop's website features session plans prepared especially for middle school and high school audiences (parish and school settings). There are 4 session plans, and they can be adapted to fit your needs. Each session covers a section of the document, so they can easily be used for inter-generational/family faith/Generations of Faith sessions as well (you can find elementary session plans posted as well!) Be sure to check them out and bookmark the site. www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/junior-and-high-school-age-student-lesson-plans.cfm Perhaps your group is interested in devotionals? Then be sure to check out the Novena for Faithful Citizenship as well: www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/prayers-and-devotions/prayers/novena-for-faithful-citizenship.cfm (Read or listen to podcasts!) The Bulletin Inserts are also created for discussion... if your parish distributes these, then by all means, make use of them with your teens! If your parish does not use them, you can download them. There are two that summarize the Forming Consciences document, one that instructs on communicating with elected officials, that these two that might be of even more interest: > Conscience Formation: www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/parishes-and-schools/upload/Conscience-Formation-bulletin-insert.pdf > Civil Dialogue: www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/parishes-and-schools/upload/Civil-Dialogue-bulletin-insert.pdf Have fun exploring the many resources, and be sure to continue praying for our country and pray for all elected officials and for all voters! Here is part of a middle school/high school session prayer, which seems perfect to pray together now: Let us pray. Father of all creation, You made humanity in your image and likeness. May we see Jesus' face in those who are hungry, thirsty, imprisoned, and stranger. Spirit of justice, help us and all your people to seek respect for the dignity of all people and work to protect the common good. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ * Sponsored by The Catholic Diocese of Youngstown Offices of: Campus Ministry, Catholic Charities, Catholic Schools, Continuing Education for Priests, CTNY, Lay Ministry Formation, Pro-Life, Marriage and Family, Permanent Diaconate, Religious Education, Social Action, Vocations, Worship, & Youth and Young Adult Ministry |
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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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