Reaching Out to Make a Difference
As we near the one-year mark of the "Pandemic Shut Down," many of us are growing weary of the social distancing, mask wearing, constant hand washing and so on. But, as the COVID-19 keeps spreading (and now bringing in variants to deal with), being as safe as possible is appreciated. That being said, we as ministers need to find ways to refresh our own souls this Lent; to allow God to renew us... "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:31). ... so that we can step up our efforts to reach out to our young people. Springtide Research Institute shared the following insights: <<Seven out of ten people who watched an online service say that interacting with people, even virtually, makes them feel more connected. Yet, nearly half of those people still report feeling isolated because no one is reaching out to them individually. Despite some young adults finding value in churches and religious or faith communities providing online rituals and virtual spaces during this time of social isolation, the survey found that what mitigates their experience of loneliness is the act of caring adults checking in and connecting with them*. >> So, we need to once again do what we can to reach out to each and every young people of our parish, as best we can... How might you do that? + send a card from the parish + if you have permission for direct contact with minors, send an email, text or other communications + have your team/volunteers help you make Lenten supply bags and drop them off at the front doors of their homes + invite (again) to join an online activity + start planning some outdoor/distanced events on the parish campus for late spring/summer and build excitement by inviting the young people to help with the planning. What other ideas to you have? (Please share in comments section below.) THANK YOU for all that you have been doing for the past 11 months. May we continue to journey with St. Paul, as he wrote to the Philippians (3:14): "I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus." ------------------ * https://www.springtideresearch.org/new-social-distancing-study
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Youth Ministers Gathering November 12, 2020 via Zoom A. Opening Prayer – We offered up petitions and asked Saints around the world to pray for us. (See below) B. Game – “Drawer Dash” – since the Drawer Memory game went so well last time… (doesn’t have to be from a drawer though) - Basically, a scavenger hunt, mixed with introductions and getting to know you. You have ten seconds to go find and bring back the following; when back – hit one of the “reactions” on the screen. (I had each of these typed large to show on the screen, see below): Something that keeps you busy Something that makes you smile Something of your favorite color Something that was given to you (skipped) Something you made (skipped) Something that reminds you of God’s presence (feel free to add your own, especially any that might connect to the theme or topic of the meeting/lesson/prayer) We then shared our name, parish/site and what we found and why. C. DYunC Feedback – anyone use elements? If so, which did you like? I was told that a parish is sending it out next week… others have used elements within other activities (and will be using it for weeks to come.) There is a LOT of good stuff; will take time to use it all. Played the playlist while the teens were doing an activity. Liked seeing the teens in videos (YES, thanks to the adults that recruited and worked with the teens, they were a great addition!) Forwarded to teens, but not heard any feedback. No one did Favorite Saint challenge… but people have viewed the website, Facebook page, and links to videos posted on other social media. Thanks, again, to all who contributed and to all who shared. We will leave the website up at least till the new year. D. Fundraisers during pandemic – We broke into small groups for just 5 minutes to brainstorm. We returned to the large group and everyone typed ideas into the chat box, while a few people explained some of the ideas. Cindee also has some ideas listed on an online spinning wheel that you can customize to use, https://pickerwheel.com/ Ideas (in random order): virtual trivia night virtual reverse raffle trunk sale virtual family game night virtual silent auction candy sale virtual basket raffle virtual cow chip BINGO popcorn sale pepperoni roll sale drive-thru pasta sale drive-thru soup sale drive-thru sausage sandwich sales general appeal sell seasonal items Food truck night at the parish (great if you have restaurant owners/truck owners at the parish!) Direct sales books – Ave Maria Press offering online order, direct ship Direct sales t-shirts – can be done with Custom Ink Virtual events – i.e. Have concert, speaker or party online – sell tickets Restaurant night – many do take-out option – Group Raise is one organizing company Walk/run/bike/dance or any a-thon – everyone gets sponsors - do from home (can also have virtual element, at least for a kick off or finish line, if not whole time) Virtual painting or craft night (decide ahead if you supply kits or send shopping list a week ahead and charge accordingly) Sell temporary yard decorations (used to be flamingo flocking, but be creative and see if someone at the parish can make easily movable Nativity or Advent wreath, or hearts for Valentine’s day – people pay to send to a yard… then you can also sell “Insurance” to the home-owners to donate if they don’t want them item/s in the yard!) “Boo Bags” of candy/toys purchased and dropped at someone’s house; painted pumpkins, too (whatever you decide to sell, make sure you have volunteers ready to make and deliver them – don’t do it all alone!) Sign up for "Amazon Smiles" (Note: remember to follow whatever the current safety protocols are in place for Ohio and your county... wear-masks, keep six-feet or more distance when possible... lots of hand and surface washing... and clean gloves when serving/preparing food/exchanging items!) E. Fr. Scott Kopp – Office of Vocations Posters and prayers cards just arrived in the office, so will be distributed to parishes, schools and institutions soon. Currently, there are 6 seminarians on internships. Fr. Kopp began at the diocese in February, and is available to talk with you or young people discerning/interested in exploring their call to holiness. Is a resource to support your local and on-going efforts. Do not think just of a “Vocations Event” but in terms of relationship building. Look to see which young people hang around more often or volunteers for everything. They are likely searching! The Facebook page has videos of seminarians – feel free to share with teens/families: https://www.facebook.com/doyvocations as well as encourage reading of the Exponent articles. You can contact the seminarians directly to invite them to be part of panel discussions, youth ministry events, etc. Most seminary visits (Come and Sees) are for high school and older, what about younger inquiries? Fr. Kopp offered the following suggestions: listen to them, affirm them, invite them to be connect to more opportunities at the parish/school. Ask them “What are you doing? What can you do more?” i.e. going to Mass every weekend and Holy Day? See if can add a daily Mass each week? Increase their prayer times each day. Thank God daily for 3-5 things. Create a culture of vocations at the parish (hang the posters, share the prayer cards, talk about calling.) Closed with a vocations prayer and blessing by Fr. Kopp. --------- Post meeting notes: 1. Several people staying online to discuss what changes might be coming for Ohio in regards to the COVID-19 protocols. As of today, nothing has changed. Gov. DeWine reinforced information in current health orders and implored everyone to be even more mindful of the safety steps. It is possible that some restrictions or shut-downs might come next week. Keep up with the information from the state and your county/area Department of Health. Know your local community. What is the spread level? What is the comfort level? What do parents/families want or need and how can we be of service while also being cautious and smart? Remind teens and their parents NOT to participate in-person for programs, services, or Mass if they have symptoms or have been in contact with someone positive in the past two weeks. The Diocesan Guidelines are the same since August, unless/until the Ohio Bishops and/or the Ohio Health Department changes mandates and orders. 2. We did not have time to discuss alternatives to the March for Life – which may have been the Holy Spirit urging us to be patient. However, in case your parish community is considering ideas for the January 29th March for Life Day (Friday) or the weekend before or after: a. Dave Schmidt shared many of the events that are going VIRTUAL on the 28th, 29th, 30th and 31st…. can invite folks to tap into those. (If you did not receive that email from the Office of Pro-Life, Marriage and Family, let me know and I will forward it along.) b. Plenty of online resources available, such as: US Bishops sites: https://www.usccb.org/prolife https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catholic-social-teaching/life-and-dignity-of-the-human-person https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catholic-social-teaching/upload/cst-101-life-and-dignity-human-person-discussion-guide.pdf (Prepared session by CRS) Blessed Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas…. Next YM Gathering will be a virtual Epiphany Party: Wednesday, January 6 at 11:00 a.m.- 12:00 Noon Bring your own beverage and something that expresses what made your Christmas season special this year. I was sadden to hear the news of another young person taking one's life. Stark and Ashtabula Counties in particular have had a number of teens attempting and committing suicide. I am also distraught by the increased incidents of depression, anxiety and loneliness, growing during this time of pandemic as we face social isolation along with the physical distancing and mask-wearing. Springtide Research found that in March 2020, 60% of the young people (ages 13 - 25) felt "very isolated." They also found that 24% of 13 - 17 year olds feel sometimes or always alone. I share this information not as a "Debbie Downer" but it is important to have awareness, and perhaps to find out how the young people around you feel. We do not want young people to feel alone for too long, or to be isolated from family, community and support for too long as hopelessness can set in, which I believe is the basis for suicidal ideation for many youth. So, even during this pandemic when we cannot do many of the things we typically do in parish ministries, how can we still help teens to be connected to our faith communities? To feel that they are supported and loved by our faith communities? That they are vital parts of our faith communities? For those of you hosting virtual gatherings, keep doing it, but make sure you include messages about the love of God and the love from our communities! See if your pastor/administrator/parish leader can join in a session to share a message. Ask your parish council president or other other members to join to talk with and listen to the teens. Invite leaders of key parish ministries and organizations to join to also share why they miss seeing the young people around the parish and that they are important (think Knights of Columbus, Ladies Guild, Social Justice Committee, choir director, etc.) Of course, having people join a virtual meeting can also be adapted for those gathering in person with all safety protocols in place. For those at parishes not gathering with groups now, snail mail is another great tool. Thanksgiving cards... just thinking of you postcards... sent from the parish address in the name of the parish. Including notes to the teens in the pick-up packets for families to use for faith formation/religious education/Generations of Faith... What other ideas come to mind? Remember that chapter 4 of CHRISTUS VIVIT is a treasure trove of quote you can pull out to use so that teens are reminded that Pope Francis love them, prays for them, and wants them to know they are important to the Church. Reflecting on Racism - The Sin and Injustice I must admit that I still have variety of emotions to work through with regards to the current civil unrest brought to the nation's attention following the horrific death of George Floyd.... and reminding us that we still have a LOT of work to do achieve justice, equality, and and God's view for all humankind. I created a page of resources for your use to discuss with your ministry team members, with teens, and/or with young adults. For now, the page is featured on the home page, at: https://youngstownoyyam.weebly.com/racism---addressing-the-sin.html Eventually, the page will be moved under our Pastoral Care page so that is can remain accessible for future use.: https://youngstownoyyam.weebly.com/helping-young-people-during-grief-or-tragedy.html Reflect.... Learn.... Work for justice... And PRAY!
What to Say to Young People During COVID-19: Part 1 |
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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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