Perhaps you take some time for prayer before you break groups up into cars with Diocesan Child Protection compliant adult drivers with the liability & release forms from the parents and send them off to Kenny Wood, Cedar Point, or other amusement parks....of maybe you take advantage of an hour or three on a bus with ice-breakers, prayer and an instructional video to include some catechesis in the day of fun.... but do you intertwine catechesis or prayer into the amusement park? It seems natural when someone is usually yelling out, "Oh God" as a roller coaster nears to the top of its largest hill or once a spinny ride has been going for over a minute. How can we encourage teens to see God in their experiences (besides praying for a long long to move quickly or for the rain to hold off a while longer!)? Here are just a few suggestions -- and I welcome others to be added: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Prior to your event day, be sure to get a list of the amusement park attractions. You may be able to play on the names of some rides so that they can think about that when they ride, while they wait, or even as they walk by it. Examples: + Cedar Point's Blue Streak coaster -- are your teens familiar with the old term about someone 'cussing/cursing up a blue streak' in that a lot of foul language is used? What does the Bible say about cursing? What about the catechism? When they see the Blue Streak, can they pray for God to help them keep clean mouths? A few Bible verses to get you started: Ephesians 4:29 No foul language should come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for needed edification, that it may impart grace to those who hear. Ephesians 5:1 - 4 So be imitators of God,* as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma. Immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is fitting among holy ones, no obscenity or silly or suggestive talk, which is out of place, but instead, thanksgiving. Colossians 3:8- 10 But now you must put them all away: anger, fury, malice, slander, and obscene language out of your mouths. Stop lying to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed, for knowledge, in the image of its creator James 1:26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, his religion is vain Colossians 4:5 - 6 Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you know how you should respond to each one. Exodus 20:7 You shall not invoke the name of the LORD, your God, in vain. For the LORD will not leave unpunished anyone who invokes his name in vain. + Cedar Downs Racing Derby -- Talk about St. Paul's analogy of "Running the Race" in our faith journey (Philipians 3: 12 - 16) + There is a LOT that can be done regarding the Waters of Baptism to be reflected upon on any water ride at Kennywood ( Log Jammer, Pittsburg Plunge and Raging Rapids), Cedar Point (Shoot the Rapids, Snake River Falls, Thunder Canyon), anything at Wildwater Kingdom..... or at your parish festival dunking booth ;-) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. Challenge your group members to seek out the good -- look for people helping others, i.e. picking up something some else dropped.....helping a parent with a small child....holding a door or gate open for the next person.... can they find at least ten different examples before lunch? During lunch, have them share the examples they witnessed. After lunch, challenge them, can they then do ten nice things for strangers around the park? Perhaps reading from Matthew 5; 13 - 16 can help: “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ OK, your turn to share some ideas..... Best wishes for a safe, fun, and spiritually enriching summer!
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT -- -- Recordings from Conferences Since we cannot all afford the time and money to attend every great national conference, despite knowing we could expand our knowledge and skills, have you considered purchasing recordings of sessions from those conferences? Here are two examples of workshops that I have gotten to learn from even if I was not able to attend: 1. "LA Congress" (took place Feb. 2013) in Anaheim, CA) The Archdiocese of Los Angeles' Religious Education Congress HUGE gathering on the west coast featuring some of the most cutting edge speakers in our Church (Does not include Youth Day, however). http://cscrecording.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=86&zenid=c5abd18d90e318206c5b30fe9187a0ed 2. "NCCYM" (took place in December 2012 in Orlando, FL) National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry Sponsored by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry http://www.catholicseminars.com/nccym.aspx In my dream world, I envision a Catholic parish with vibrant Eucharistic Liturgies -- 3 per weekend with different music styles/choirs/cantors but with mostly the same songs all connected to the readings and Liturgical year, with Ministers of Hospitality of all ages greeting everyone who enters and people seated in the pews looking up and smiling --or at least giving a cordial head-nod- as others join (unless their head is bowed in brief personal prayer as they kneel before the alter, then they look up an smile.) After faithful proclamations of the Word, a homily that tries to tie the scriptures to life experiences of participants of many ages, and a holy Eucharistic feast, participants exit and are thanks for coming by the Ministers of Hospitality even as family members and friends gather to greet one another....perhaps heading towards coffee and doughnuts, a parish meal, or continuing education.
At this dreamed of parish, at a New Parishioners welcoming celebration, they receive a Parish Handbook with the many programs, ministries and groups listed with contact information, and complete a survey asking for his/her gifts, skills, interest, etc. The Staff members later that same week then follow up with the new parishioners with a phone call or greeting card (or both?) with suggestions of the programs, ministries and groups they might like....and the Staff gives the leaders of the same contact information for new parishioners they may want to invite. AND, this same parish walks through the SAME New Parishioner Information with all the post-confirmation students soon after the sacrament, so that these new fully-initiated "adults" in the Church are aware of the variety of opportunities they have to be full, active and conscience participants.... ah, yes, as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stated so well decades ago, I have a dream! The best part is that this last part of the dream can still happen even if the first two parts do not....all confirmation coordinators/ youth ministers can have a post-confirmation session focused on the next steps and helping the teens (perhaps also their parents and sponsors?) see that they may have "graduated" -- but now they move into taking steps to adulthood in the Church! After all, graduation is not an end, but a new beginning! Take the time to celebrate past accomplishments, but be sure to plan for the next steps! WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE YOUTH MINISTRY "THING" DURING THE SUMMER? Despite summer school classes, seasonal jobs and family vacations, there still seems to be such wonderful opportunities in youth ministry over the summer. Many will load up buses to trek up to Cedar Point or over to Kennywood....others will take in a baseball game with the Indians, Aeros, Scrappers or Pirates....some great Bible studies and movie discussion nights will take place....teens will help with Vacation Bible Schools and go on mission trips. ALL are great times for catechesis, evangelization, pastoral care, community life, advocacy, leadership development, service a prayer! What is YOUR favorite, and why? (Please post as a "comment" below) Gearing up for Summer Programming!
As many schools and other programs start to wind down for the summer, most youth ministry programs are gearing up for months of opportunities for the teens. So, how many of you will be.... + Going to Cedar point for a fun day (and possibly catechesis and prayer on the bus)? + Going on a mission trip and/or holding local days of service? + Having sports-outings (i.e. to see the Areos or Indians, or to play)? + Having swim parties or hiking treks? + Taking advantage of outdoor labyrinths and other prayer walks? + Inviting teens to help with Vacation Bible School events? + Participating in The Fest, Alive, or other outdoor Catholic/Christian festivals? + Particpating in retreats and summer conferences? What else??? Budgeting for a Retreat
1. Projected Expenses (Based on estimate of _____ participants) · Program needs (name tags, bibles, folders, candles, paper, poster board, etc.) · Leadership material needs · Recreation supplies · Audio-visuals · Planning team expenses · Guest speak stipends (if any) · Liturgical supplies · Priest stipend, if any, for reconciliation, Mass, etc. · Retreat remembrance gift (if any) · Retreat Center: Basic fee Per person fee Other fees · Transportation Van/bus Gas for cars Commercial bus Other fees · Food (if not included in retreat center charges) # of participants X food cost · Insurance (if not included in retreat center charges) # of participants X insurance cost 2. Projected Income (Based on estimate of _____ participants) · Fees from participants · Income from church/youth ministry budget · Fund-raising events · Special scholarship gifts · Other sources I was asked today, again, to share some ideas on "how to get the word out" on ministry opportunities, classes, events. In the Church, we often lack a Marketing Budget, so we make good use of the means we have....Word of Mouth is always best, so arrange for a phone tree and to have key contacts talk it up when they see their friends. Here are some additional ways YOU can promote:
Publicizing Your Ministry Event (Ideas collected over the years by Cindee Case) First of all, Be sure your publicity includes all the basic information: + Name of event/program + Location where event will take place + Date of event, as well as beginning and ending times + Cost for the event or if it is FREE + Registration deadline date, if any + What participants would need to bring to the event + Sponsoring parish/ministry name, as well as contact information + When possible, how participants will benefit from attending (You would be surprised how often people forget one of these key details!) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Places and Ways to publicize: Ø Bulletin boards-- § Posters, flyers, tear-off sheets, etc. § At parish, schools, places the target audience hangs out Ø Newsletters (parish, school, ministry) Ø Buttons Ø Bumper stickers Ø Bulletin announcements—your place and surrounding parishes Ø Bulletin insert Ø Announcement at weekend liturgies Ø “Sell the idea” to groups and clubs that already exist Ø News Releases to local newspapers, radio stations, TV Community Calendars, Ø Direct mailing Ø Emailing (if have permission for direct communication!) Ø Post on website Ø Facebook “event” Ø Text Blast (if have permission for direct communication!) Ø Have an exhibit at the parish ministries fair, festival or other. Please, COMMENT to share more ideas! |
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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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