Evaluating and Improving Youth Ministry Efforts
Does your parish offer....?
Does your youth ministry programming and outreach....?
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How is your parish currently achieving the 3 Goals for Catholic Youth Ministry?
(as specified by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops,
http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/youth-ministry/ )
Goal 1: To empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today.
Goal 2: To draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic faith community.
Goal 3: To foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person.
How can your community work to better reach the 3 goals above?
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Contact the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry to inquire about assessment tools and templates
from the resources in our office. We have samples from YouthWorks, neighboring dioceses and other sources
that might just be what can help you evaluate and plan at your parish!
- a program (or various programs) which helps young people become formed in their faith
- a safe, loving, and wholesome atmosphere for young people
- a variety of worship experiences that help young people connect with God and one another
- teaching about the Roman Catholic expression of Christianity
- a means for young people to develop their individual prayer and spiritual life
- assistance for young people in developing values, ethical norms, and a sense of Christian community
- interaction with adults who authentically model the Christian faith
- activities (games, sports, etc.) which involve fun and the building of sense of worth
- service experiences grounded in Catholic Social Teachings and works of mercy
Does your youth ministry programming and outreach....?
- build community, among teens and their peers but also with the larger parish community?
- resist the status quo, keeping up with expressed needs of the current teens (not those of a decade or three ago?)
- help teens integrate into the larger, intergenerational community of the church?
- intentionally invite those who are not already part of the church?
- remind the church that teens are not marginalized members of the body, but current contributors to the divine work of the church?
- follow all diocesan policies, guidelines and administrative requirements to ensure responsible and safe environments?
- communicate clearly with parents of the youth so they are apprised of all opportunities?
- model healthy Christian community?
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How is your parish currently achieving the 3 Goals for Catholic Youth Ministry?
(as specified by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops,
http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/youth-ministry/ )
Goal 1: To empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today.
Goal 2: To draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic faith community.
Goal 3: To foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person.
How can your community work to better reach the 3 goals above?
===================================================================================
Contact the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry to inquire about assessment tools and templates
from the resources in our office. We have samples from YouthWorks, neighboring dioceses and other sources
that might just be what can help you evaluate and plan at your parish!
