6/30/2017 "Synod Surveys" are being completed and the Input is interesting! (Still time to participate until August 15th)Read NowWhile it is still early in the process,
I could not help but take a quick peek at how they are coming. So far, Stark County has the most Catholic Youth Surveys in as St. Thomas Aquinas High School was able to fit in some time before the end of the school year, but about half of the young adults responding were from Mahoning County. The Catholic teens listed the following as positive things that teens can offer our Church and/or society today: Service compassion input new ideas devotion volunteering new outlooks innovation charity time and money altar serving ideas on welcoming contemporary viewpoints technology and social media energy creativity connections enthusiasm passion fun willingness to serve A few non-Catholic teens added that youth can bring friends to Church with them, be nice be involved and pray with their congregations. Some of the challenges the Catholic teens noted were: drugs/alcohol/partying/vapping/heroin texting and driving balancing school and extra-curriculars peer pressure not believing in God peer pressure distractions with technology judgement sex being belittled not enough sleep discrimination fitting in anxiety and stress boredom laziness bullying athletics social media making good choices insecurities lack of parental guidance overloaded misinformation poverty sinning crime lack of faith The non-Catholic youth added: doubt disbelief not putting themselves out there not going to Church often and not staying motivated. Catholic Young Adults (ages 19 - 30s) listed many of the same challenges as the teens did, but also added things such as: finding a good job finding a place to get involved at Church financial security keeping the faith older adults discounting our opinions expanding ideas relativism loneliness searching for meaning and give me reasons to follow the Catholic rules. The Young Adults add the following positive aspects they can add to Church and society in addition to those the teens listed: service as lay ministers new families modernized experience for teaching examples of discipleship education work ethic ingenuity zeal for the faith and sharing it with youth love and peace and Christian joy! I am very much looking forward to reading more responses in August, then processing the input not only for the Executive Summary for Bishop Murry to use with his brother bishops at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as they prepare for the Synod next year, but also with our parishes, Catholic High Schools and other diocesan offices, The survey results will have a wide-impact in the planning and priority-setting of the diocese. THANK YOU to each and every person assisting with this -- either by completing a survey yourself if you fit into one of the survey groups, or by inviting people to participate. A special note of thanks to the parishes and schools who are also holing Listening Sessions. May the discussions be fruitful and insightful! And, with the recently-expanded survey time (now through August 15th), there is still plenty of time to participate!
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Perhaps you have heard on the news or read an article that mentions the "Rise of the Nones" in the United States (and many other countries as well) wherein there are more and more people drifting away from Churches. It can cause a person, especially a parent or a youth minister, to become depressed. However, instead of wringing our hands and giving in to despair, Pope Francis decided that we should take some time to LISTEN to young people and ask about their ideas on Faith and Vocations... and find out what they think the Catholic Church does well, as well as where we can improve!
Right, let's find out what is going on in our parish/school/Catholic organization? What is going on in the Diocese of Youngstown? What is the lived experience in the United States? And, what should the universal Church be paying attention to and doing? The "Preparatory Document for the 15th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops" states: "The Church has decided to examine herself on how she can lead young people to recognize and accept the call to the fullness of life and love, and to ask young people to help her in identifying the most effective ways to announce that Good News Today" (page 4). To assist Bishop George V. Murry, S.J., Bishop of Youngstown in preparing his diocesan report, the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry created 6 different surveys to collect input. Parishes, Catholic High Schools and Catholic Institutions are asked to invite the following to participate: 1. Catholic teens (high school age) 2. Non-Catholic teens (high school age) 3. Catholic Young Adults (ages 19 - 30s) 4. Non-Catholic Young Adults (ages 19 - 30s) 5. Parents/Family members of teens and young adults (soon to be available in Spanish as well as English) 6. Parish/School/Institution Leadership (a.k.a. parish staff, parish council, leadership council, faculty, etc.) Surveys are linked through www.doy.org (click on the Pope Francis Image) Resources to help encourage participation are continually being added to: youngstownoyyam.weebly.com/synod-survey-gatherings-resource-page.html and social media posts can be forwarded from the Y&YAM Facebook and Twitter feeds: Like OY&YAM on Facebook: "Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Diocese of Youngstown" https://www.facebook.com/Youth-and-Young-Adult-Ministry-Diocese-of-Youngstown-155428204509463/ Follow OY&YAM on Twitter: @YoungInYtown As possible, holding a Listening Session Gathering can really help your local community capture input as well. For this, the planning guide spells out some steps one can take to host one, discussion questions for small groups, and you can then summarize your group answers and submit them to the diocese for further consideration. Please pray for this process, and continue to invite teens, young adults and parents to participate by JULY 31st. Be sure to complete your own survey. Then look for insights to be shared throughout the fall in our diocese! ![]() What I like about being Catholic – By 2017 Eagle of the Cross Recipients (Tweeted by the OY&YAM April 21 – June 7. To fit into the 140 character limit of Twitter, modest editing occurred with some entries) During the Easter season, the OY&YAM shares what Eagle of the Cross recipients like about being Catholic. What do YOU like about our faith? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I like being Catholic as it is something we do as a family. (AJB, senior) As a Catholic, I like the service opportunities provided through our diocese & the reassurance that God is with us every day~ (OC, 12th) My faith strengthens me as a (Catholic) person! (RD, 12th grade) The Catholic Church is like a home away form home; It's a fulfilling place with hope, love and faith (RE, 11th grade) Everyday, I am given the opportunity (as a Catholic) to help others and share God with them (JF, 12th grade) I like being part of a very large, centuries old, worldwide organization that is also a tight-knit community at the parish level (NES, 12th) What I like about being Catholic is that there is always a choice to further your relationship with God (CAG, 11th grade) I like being Catholic as I like receiving the body and blood (of Jesus) every Mass and I enjoy the fellowship in the Church (CJ, 12th grade) What I like about being Catholic is being involved in the Church and having the opportunities to inspire people to turn to Christ (CK, 12th) Going to Church is like being part of a community &/or family. You don't have to try to fit in; everyone accepts you & loves you (AM, 11th) I like being Catholic as it gives me something to believe in and relate to (KMN, 11th grade) I enjoy being part of a community & like that my Catholic faith provides a foundation upon which I can base all areas of my life (EEP, 12th) I like being Catholic because of the love and acceptance (DJP, 12th grade) What I like most about being Catholic us that we are all together in Jesus, the power of music, and prayer (MR, 12th grade) As a Catholic, I receive grace from God through the Mass and the sacraments, especially the Eucharist (PRR, 12th grade) I love being Catholic b/c of the Church's infallible teachings of truth, the graces of the sacraments... continues...(TR, 12th) I love being Catholic b/c(continued)...the community & my relationship w/ God so that I might become a saint (TR, 12th grade) I like being Catholic because it is the ultimate truth and stands up against the challenges of the modern world (CAR, 12th grade) The best part about being Catholic is being part of the Church community & feeling united with Catholics all over the world (MAR, 12th) I love the strong sense of community of the youth group; it could be your 1st or 100th time & they'll treat you like an old friend ~WJT3, 12 I like being Catholic because of the sense of community and knowing I am loved (EAM, 11th grade) I like being Catholic because I love being able to experience and receive the Eucharist every week (KR, 12th grade) I like being Catholic b/c it is a faith with great tradition & a dynamic faith which changes. It brings me closer to God & I love it! (FVS) The Catholic Faith is the Truth; the Bible is the foundation of our faith. The sacraments & liturgy prove that God does exist & He became unified with us in His son Jesus Christ & the same God loves me & sees through my actions & is a forgiving entity! (DAT, 12th grade) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Which of these teens responses did you most appreciate? How do YOU answer the question? ![]() resource by Kirk Bloir, Program Director, Family and Consumer Sciences posted at: http://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/HYG-5321 ------- Whether for a few minutes or a few hours, all parents will face this dilemma: Is my child old enough to stay home alone? If you look to Ohio's state or local laws, you won't find a minimum age specified. Instead, the Ohio Revised Code says that parents are responsible for providing adequate and proper supervision and care for their children. So, the real question isn't so much one of age, but one of your child's maturity, readiness, and your ability to plan for safety, emergencies, and activities. Parents need to look at their child's maturity and readiness in three broad areas. Physical Can your child lock and unlock the doors and windows; use the telephone; and operate appliances safely (such as a can opener, microwave, toaster oven, stove top)? Intellectual Your child must be able to read and take a written message; follow and give directions; and understand and describe house rules and safety/emergency procedures. Social/Emotional Your child needs to feel good about being left home alone; feel confident In his/her ability to take care of him/herself; and be comfortable with limited social interaction. Take cues from your child. If he/she says he/she is afraid, lonely, or unsure of his/her ability to stay home alone, he/she is not ready. Once you believe your child is ready, create a plan. Begin by talking with your child about the possibility of staying home alone. Ask if he/she would like to stay home alone. If not, don't force the issue. If yes, then do the following.
There is no magic age at which children can stay home alone. What matters most is (1) whether they are mature enough, (2) they know how to respond in emergency situations, and (3) they are willing to follow directions and rules. If your children are not comfortably self-sufficient in your absence, they are not ready to stay home alone. References
During the Ash Wednesday 12:10 p.m. Mass homily at St. Columba Cathedral,
Bishop George V. Murry, S.J. began by sharing that the word Lent means springtime. Often springtime conjures images of cleaning out things after winter. He then continued to talk about spiritually cleaning one's heart for a better relationship with God. However, my mind veered off a bit to the meme seen above. Many people on social media have been sharing this idea of physically cleaning things out this Lent... to simplify your home but also to potentially assist those who may need things. As a bit of a clutterbug (not quite up to the TV show "Hoarders" level, yet, but I have the potential), this is an exhilarating and scary idea. But, I am going to give it a try.... if not 40 large trash bags, then at least several bags and boxes. I am also reminded of the Zelda Fitzgerald quote: What most people need to learn in life is how to love people and use things instead of using people and loving things. While I do my best not to use people, I may have a tendency to love things, as I was taught to treasure gifts from loved ones, and I place perhaps too much emotion into items I own. Therefore, this might just make for a good Lenten practice for me, as I will need to pray my way through it. One prayer I will be praying is the Suscipe by St. Ignatius of Loyola (proud of my Jesuit education): Take Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all that I have and possess. Thou hast given all to me. To Thee, O lord, I return it. All is Thine, dispose of it wholly according to Thy will. Give me Thy love and thy grace, for this is sufficient for me. Amen. (As one who grew up in the "Glory and Praise" era of Church music, I often 'hear' this prayer in the musical form, which if you are not familiar, I would encourage you to listen: www.bing.com/videos/search?q=take+lord+receive&view=detail&mid=61D9CBCC50671448A0A861D9CBCC50671448A0A8&FORM=VIRE Please pray with me, and perhaps join in me in this process of letting go. Maybe in the giving of material things, my heart will also let go of hurts, disappointments, or other feelings that impede a joy-filled relationship with God? May I be able to clean out all things that block God's love for me, so that I can be open to a deeper Easter joy. May your Lenten practices do the same for you! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Whoever confers benefits will be amply enriched, and whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Whoever hoards grain, the people curse, but blessings are on the head of one who distributes it! Proverbs 11:25-26 As I began to write a blog post about the October 2018 Synod on "Youth, faith and vocational discernment," I saw that CMD beat me to is, so I will share their thoughts: ![]() What do you think? By the way, those of you on my YM email list should have received the link with the Letter to Youth from the Holy Father. Thank you for sharing that with teens. Here is it again, in case you missed it: The Preparatory Document (Click for Inglese for English!)THE QUESTIONS:
Please indicate, where possible, the source of the statistics and make reference to the year. Other pertinent information can be attached to better understand the situation in various countries. - Number of inhabitants in the country / countries and the birth rate. - Number and percentage of young people (ages 16-29) in the country / countries. - Number and percentage of Catholics in the country / countries. - Average age (for the last 5 years) for marrying (distinguishing between men and women), for entering the seminary and the consecrated life (distinguishing between men and women). - In the 16-29 age group, the percentage of students, workers (if possible specify the type of work), unemployed These questions refer both to young people who take part in Church programmes, as well as those who do not take part or have no interest to participate. 1. In what manner does the Church listen to the lived situations of young people? 2. What are the main challenges and most significant opportunities for young people in your country / countries today? 3. What kinds and places of group gatherings of youth, institutionalized or otherwise, have a major success within the Church, and why? 4. What kinds and places of group gatherings of youth, institutionalized or otherwise, have a major success outside the Church, and why? 5. What do young people really ask of the Church in your country / countries today? 6. What possibilities for participation exist in your country / countries for young people to take part in the life of the ecclesial community? 7. How and in what manner is contact made with young people who do not frequent Church surroundings? b) Pastoral Vocational Programmes for Young People 8. How are families and communities involved in the vocational discernment of young people? 9. How do schools and universities or other educational institutions (civil or ecclesial) contribute to young people’s formation in vocational discernment? 10. In what manner are you taking into account the cultural changes resulting from the development of the digital world? 11. How can World Youth Days or other national or international events become a part of ordinary pastoral practice? 12. In what manner is your diocese planning experiences for the pastoral vocational programme for young people? c) Pastoral Care Workers with Young People 13. How much time and in what manner do clergy and other formators provide for personal spiritual guidance? 14. What initiatives and opportunities for formation are in place for those who provide pastoral vocational guidance? 15. What personal guidance is offered in seminaries? d) Specific Questions According to Geographic Areas AMERICA a. How does your community care for young people who experience extreme violence (guerrilla warfare, gangs, prison, drug addiction, forced marriages) and accompany them in various ways in their life? b. What formation is offered to support the engagement of young people in society and civil life, for the common good? c. In a world which is greatly secularized, what pastoral activities are most effective for continuing the journey of faith after the Sacraments of Christian Initiation? Sharing Activities1. List the main types of pastoral activity in accompaniment and vocational discernment in your present situation. 2. Choose three activities you consider the most interesting and relevant to share with the universal Church, and present it according to the following format (no more than one page for each experience). a) Description: In a few sentences, roughly describe the activity. Who are the leading characters? How does the activity take place? Where? Etc. b) Analysis: Evaluate the activity, even in layman’s terms, for a better understanding of the important elements: what are the goals? What is the theoretical basis? What are the most interesting insights? How have they developed? Etc. c) Evaluation: What are the goals? If not achieved, why? Strengths and weaknesses? What are the consequences on the social, cultural and ecclesial levels? Why and in what way is the activity important / formative? etc. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ While I cannot yet tell you how this information may be collected, please do start considering ways to collect the input at your local level. This is such a great opportunity to LISTEN TO young people and to have them help build the Church for the future! ![]() Prior to the National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry, or NCCYM, in San Jose last month, I participated in a two-day "Youth Mental Health First Aid" training. (I am sure you will hear and see me reference this training a few times in the future!) One of the numerous ideas I noted was tis idea of a "Been There, Done That" box of index cards.... What you would do is to contact parents who have gone through some specific situation, issues or crisis, and see if they would be open to talking with other parents from the parish or school who approach you to discuss that topic. (I'd also suggest you ask these kind, brave parents willing to discuss their situations to pray for any parent that does contact them... and perhaps pray WITH them!) Examples include: -- teens breaking curfew and how to deal with that in a healthy way -- incarcerated youth -- dealing with underage drinking -- child diagnosed with a special need -- kids who struggled through their divorce -- custody issues -- teens cutting school (Start brain-storming as you reflect on questions parents ask you! What a wonderful resource this box can be as you help connect people that support each other and build community.) Please be sure to keep this information confidential, but have them on hard for support. Of course, you could keep this information on a spread sheet on your computer or tablet. And, obviously, for anyone who needs professional help, make that appropriate referral. However, often, parents just need support -- someone to listen someone who understands and sometimes some ideas and advice. This seemed like a great idea to share with you all as you approach Pastoral Care with youth and their families. Let me know if you do this and how it works for you. Add any helpful tips in the comments below. ==================================== Here is a prayer from Loyola Press for Parents: A Parent's Prayer Loving God, You are the giver of all we possess, the source of all of our blessings. We thank and praise you. Thank you for the gift of our children. Help us to set boundaries for them, and yet encourage them to explore. Give us the strength and courage to treat each day as a fresh start. May our children come to know you, the one true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. May your Holy Spirit help them to grow in faith, hope, and love, so they may know peace, truth, and goodness. May their ears hear your voice. May their eyes see your presence in all things. May their lips proclaim your word. May their hearts be your dwelling place. May their hands do works of charity. May their feet walk in the way of Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord. AMEN. For those of you unable to read this article published on December 7, 2016 on LinkedIn at:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/breaking-our-assumptions-teens-mark-mann?trk=hp-feed-article-title-like I am sharing this for your consideration and thoughts. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Today’s new insight comes from Sharon Galgay Ketcham: “Helping teenagers imagine how they might contribute to God’s redemptive movement in the world [unveils] their potential. When parents, youth pastors, and church leaders train their eyes to look beyond [society’s] ‘dominant problem narrative’ (that is, most teenagers are broken, deficient and in need of our help), to recognize teenage potential and provide a place in the church for teenagers to practice using their gifts – teenagers will find a meaningful purpose in the church. “The busyness of teenagers is connected to the longing of adults to help problematized teenagers make it into adulthood. Imagine if we saw teenagers as Christ does: full of potential to join God’s purpose.” I would add to see youth as Christ does means to recognize and affirm how teens are already engaged in God’s work in the world. I do not wonder that many young people are engaged in making a difference for good in their schools, their work places, their families, their circles of friends, in the local communities. Church leaders do not necessarily see it because all of this is taking place outside the Church. And teens may simply lack the religious language to explain it to us. But the Second Vatican Council affirms that “the laity ... make the Church present and operative in those places and circumstances where only through them can she become the salt of the earth” (Lumen Gentium, no. 33). Now this is not to say that some young people are not experiencing problems or even crisis at this moment in their lives and they are in need genuine care. But adolescence itself is not a disease. Ketcham proposes that we flip the script. What would the Church’s ministry with youth look like if it started from a place of affirmation? Teenagers are not a problem to be solved; they are the possibility for parents and youth ministers and church leaders to recognize how God is at work in the world… and perhaps, more importantly, at work in our lives. [The quote is an extract from an interview with Sharon Galgay Ketcham, published in "The State of Youth Ministry", a report from Barna in partnership with Youth Specialties and YouthWorks, 2016.]
FOR RELEASE: Immediate DATE SENT: November 23, 2016 SUBJECT: Cindee Case Receives National Youth Ministry Award MORE INFO: Office of Youth & Young Adult Ministry, 330-744-8451 ---- Cindee Case, Director of the Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Youngstown has been selected by the Board of Directors of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM) to receive the National Youth Ministry Award in the National category. This Award is given to a person who has made a significant contribution in Youth Ministry on a National Level impacting the field of Youth Ministry and who has influenced the National Church on behalf of the young church and/or those who serve in Youth Ministry. The award will be given to a Catholic/Christian adult who exhibits a behavior that serves as a model to other adults involved in ministry with youth. The recipients must be recognized at the international, national, regional, or diocesan level for their contributions to the field of youth ministry or to work with youth. Their life and their work should reflect and support the ideals established in A Vision of Youth Ministry (USCCB, 1976) and Renewing the Vision (USCCB, 1997). Cindee was nominated by her colleagues in Region VI (Ohio and Michigan), with letters of support from other leaders around the county. Ms. Case began serving our diocese in February 2002 after having worked in the Archdiocese of Atlanta as Director of Young Adult Ministry, the Diocese of St. Augustine as the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, and the Diocese of Cleveland as a Youth Ministry Specialist in the CYO Offices in Cleveland, Elyria and Akron. She was a parish youth minister at Holy Family in Stow for four years, and on the youth ministry team at St. Patrick Parish as a college student at Kent State University. Cindee earned a Master of Pastoral Studies degree from Loyola University of New Orleans, and Center for Ministry Development Certificates in Youth Ministry Studies and in Ministry with Young Adults. Through the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Cindee works with parishes around the diocese towards better engagement with and outreach to high school teens and young adults in their twenties and thirties. The office provides periodic training workshops, classes and networking sessions to assist adults serving in these ministries, as well as administers programs like the recent Diocesan Youth Convention, the summer young adult pilgrimage to World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland, and the biennial National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis. Cindee also posts to numerous social media sites to communicate with young people and their ministers and manages the web-resources at http://youngstownoyyam.weebly.com When asked about her work with the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM), Ms. Case stated: “The NFCYM provides wonderful resources to support our local efforts such as print materials, reliable website listings, and quality conferences. It has been an honor for me to volunteer with them for the past twenty years in various capacities that have helped me build new skills as well as supportive relationships with colleagues in other dioceses. I love “borrowing ideas” and bouncing ideas off those in similar sized dioceses. The Diocese of Youngstown benefits directly as I am informed of new trends, resources, scholarships and opportunities that can be passed along to the parishes.” The Award will be presented during the National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry on December 1, 2016 in San Jose, California. General Sessions of the conference (including the awards ceremony) will be available via live-streaming at: http://www.nccym.info For additional information please contact the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry at 330-744-8451 or [email protected] ### |
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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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