Pew Research shows that for 14 - 17 year olds...
--63% text --39% use older cell phones --29% use social networking sites --19% talk on land lines ... --6% send email ~So, how is YOUR parish communicating with teens? ~Have parents completed the "Permission for Direct Contact with Youth" form so that you have their OK to send them texts or Facebook notices??? ~ Do the teens "hear" the Gospel in their language?
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Leader: Lent is a time for fasting but also a season for joyous feasting!
During Lent, the church calls on us to fast from certain things and feast on others Side 1: Side 2: Fast from judging others…. feast on Christ dwelling in them Fast from emphasis on differences…. feast on the unity of life. Fast from apparent darkness…. feast on the reality of light. Fast from thoughts of illness….. feast on God’s healing power, Fast from works that pollute…. feast on phrases that purify. Fast from discontent… feast on gratitude. Fast from anger…. feast on patience. Fast from pessimism…. feast on optimism. Fast from worry… feast on divine order. Fast from complaining…. feast on appreciation. Fast from negatives…. feast on affirmatives. Fast from unrelenting pressures… feast on unceasing prayers. Fast from hospitality…. feast on nonresistance Fast from bitterness… feast on forgiveness Fast from self-concern… feast on compassion for others Fast from personal anxiety… feast on eternal truth. Fast from discouragement … feast on hope. Fast from facts that depress… feast on truths that uplift Fast from lethargy … feast on enthusiasm Fast from suspicion … feast on truth. Fast from thoughts that weaken… feast on promises that inspire. Fast from shadows of sorrow… feast on sunlight of serenity Fast from idle gossip… feast on purposeful silence. A Time for God, the Saint Louis University Prayerbook, http://slu.edu/prayerbook/2010/02/17/a-lenten-prayer-how-to-fast/ Today was the Center for Ministry Development Spring workshop, "Mobilizing Volunteers" at St. Joseph in Austintown, led by Ann Marie Eckert. While many of the participants walked out with many new ideas, planning tools, and inspiration, I think that one of the core ideas was that WE (as parish leaders, ministers, or facilitators) must invite our fellow Catholics to live their Baptismal Call by sharing their gifts with the community.
This means that we are NOT just recruiting new catechists, retreat cooks, dance chaperones, parent drivers, service project leaders and so on.....we are giving people the opportunity to share their talents....perhaps to utilize their professional expertise or to try something new....So we should not feel bad or shy about asking people to volunteer. We just may need to rethink HOW we ask and to what they are asked...... If you were at the workshop, what key insights did you appreciate? 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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