Understanding Catholic Youth Ministry

From a C.Y.O./C.C.D./Catholic Schools Only Model . . . to a Comprehensive Ministry with

Adolescents and their Parents

From There to Here

C. Y. O.C. C. D.

Catholic Schools

From There to Here

1960-70’s Teen Clubs Youth Groups Nationally: National CYO Federation (NCYOF)

From There to Here

1976

A Vision of Youth Ministry

Mission of the Church Road to Emmaus Dimensions

From There to Here

A Vision of Youth Ministry

■Two Goals

■ Comprehensive Approach

(seven components)

1976

From There to Here

• Cohesive national vision ≠ cohesive national structures to support youth ministry

• From the NCYOF and USCC Division of Youth Activities to . . .

• Birth of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM)

1982

From There to Here

1997 Builds and expands upon A Vision of Youth Ministry (1976)

Important distinction: -1976 = Dept of Ed. doc. -1997 = Doc. of entire USCCB

Emphasis on discipleship From 2 goals to 3 From 7 components to 8

Renewing the Vision

Goal One

To empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today.

Renewing the Vision

Goal Two

To draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic faith community.

Renewing the Vision

Goal Three

To foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each person.

Renewing the VisionComprehensive Ministry Themes

• Developmentally Appropriate

• Family Friendly

• Intergenerational

• Multicultural

• Community-Wide Collaboration

• Leadership

• Flexible/Adaptable Programming

Renewing the VisionComponents

• Advocacy

Renewing the VisionComponents

• Advocacy

• Catechesis

Renewing the VisionComponents

• Advocacy

• Catechesis

• Community Life

Renewing the VisionComponents

• Advocacy

• Catechesis

• Community Life

• Evangelization

Renewing the VisionComponents

• Advocacy

• Catechesis

• Community Life

• Evangelization

• Justice and Service

Renewing the VisionComponents

• Advocacy

• Catechesis

• Community Life

• Evangelization

• Justice and Service

• Leadership Development

Renewing the VisionComponents

• Advocacy

• Catechesis

• Community Life

• Evangelization

• Justice and Service

• Leadership Development

• Pastoral Care

Renewing the VisionComponents

• Advocacy• Catechesis• Community Life• Evangelization• Justice and Service• Leadership

Development• Pastoral Care• Prayer and Worship

Strategies for Youth-Friendly

ParishesAsk Youth

• Interview youth (focus groups, via phone, written parish survey, electronic survey on website, etc.)

• Give Them a Voice (parish council, youth ministry leadership team, etc.)

• Welcome youth at all parish activities

Strategies for Youth-Friendly

Parishes

• Parish Bulletin/Phone Calls• Bulletin Board/Newsletter/Letters• Website/E-mail/I-net• Youth Space• Liturgy• Target both youth and their parents

Ask Youth

Inform

Strategies for Youth-Friendly

ParishesAsk YouthInformLiturgy

• Speak to their needs especially through homilies and prayers

• Blessings and commissioning• Have youth speak at Mass• Acknowledge youth presence in assembly

and esp. as ministers (lectors, cantors, choir members, musicians, Eucharistic ministers, hospitality, etc.)

• Special prayers/liturgies

Strategies for Youth-Friendly

Parishes

Transform• Involve youth in ministries, train and support

them• Connect them with the adult church

(consider intergenerational activities, prayer partners, etc.)

• Invest time and treasure in youth and the adults who serve young people

Ask Youth

Inform

Liturgy

www.nfcym.org