a. In Baptism, we are the Body of Christb. Each one of us cannot work separate, but together.c. “Renewing the Vision” is calling us to work in harmony, to share resources, talents, and gifts. The teachings of St Paul are a spiritual confirmation on how the Church should be. Our youth group or ministry must be a reflection of the Church. If it is working against itself, then it will fall.
2. Keep this in mind, the Church is responsible for encouraging, helping and guiding us to create a Comprehensive Ministry, capable of sustaining itself, capable of working closely with families, the parish, the school and the organizations, and capable of being an instrument of building the Kingdom of God.
3. In order for the goals to work, youth leaders should incorporate the eight ministries mentioned in the first class: advocacy, catechesis, community life, evangelization, justice and service, leadership development, pastoral care, prayer and worship.
4. The Church presents to us a “Comprehensive Vision” that would call us to action in building or strengthening a youth group according to the members needs.
a. Youth leaders need to consider the physical, social, and spiritual development of their youth.b. Youth leaders should consider themselves partners with families in the development of the youth. It is through families that we can find patterns, tools, and ideas for creating or strengthening our youth group or ministry. Your group can also be an instrument of support to families, helping them to foster religious life in Christ.c. Youth leaders can create a mentoring system which can develop other groups that can better serve youth in their needs and vocations.d. Youth leaders can create an environment which respects and promotes cultural diversity. It is a great way to build fellowship, and understanding that the Catholic faith doesn’t belong to one group but is truly Universal.
e. Youth leaders can encourage members of the group to participate in projects which help better the community. A great opportunity to network, build vocations, and to share resources.f. Youth leaders are responsible for calling forth new leadership, faithful to Christ and His people, and willing to share their gifts, talents, resources, even to motivate the community to help in ministering to the youth.g. Youth leaders should create programs that adapt to the needs and wants of the youth. Do not be afraid of your ideas, so long as it is faithful to Christ and have been transformed by the Gospel. I am reminded of an interview with Fr. Stan Fortuna, a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal who spoke on worldly music – his message could be taken for anything we use to help promote the Gospel. Fr. Stan said, “Christ can elevate everything, because He is all powerful. He is the Most High God, and He could do anything He wants.” (Interview for WYD Cologne)
I – Eight Components to help us create or strengthen our group or ministry
1. The Ministry Advocacy – “The ministry of advocacy engages the Church to examine its priorities and practices to determine how well young people are integrated into the life, mission, and work of the Catholic community. It places adolescents and families first by analyzing every policy and program—domestic, parish-based, diocesan, and international—for its impact on adolescents and families” (Renewing the Vision, pg 27)
2. The Ministry of Catechesis – “The ministry of catechesis helps adolescents develop a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and the Christian community, and increase their knowledge of the core content of the Catholic faith. The ministry of Catechesis also helps young people enrich and expand their understanding of the Scriptures and the sacred tradition and their application to life today, and live more faithfully as disciples of Jesus Christ in their daily lives, especially through a life of prayer, justice, and loving service” (Renewing the Vision, pg 29)
3. The Ministry of Community Life – “The ministry of community life builds an environment of love, support, appreciation for diversity, and judicious acceptance that models Catholic principles; develops meaningful relationships; and nurtures Catholic faith.”(Renewing the Vision, pg 34)
4. The Ministry of Evangelization – “The ministry of evangelization shares the good news of the reign of God and invites young people to hear about the Word Made Flesh. Drawing from Jesus' example, evangelization involves the community's pronouncement and living witness that the reign of God has become realized in and through Jesus.” (Renewing the Vision, pg 36)
5. The Ministry of Justice and Service – “The ministry of justice and service nurtures in young people a social consciousness and a commitment to a life of justice and service rooted in their faith in Jesus Christ, in the Scriptures, and in Catholic social teaching; empowers young people to work for justice by concrete efforts to address the causes of human suffering; and infuses the concepts of justice, peace, and human dignity into all ministry efforts.” (Renewing the Vision, pg 38)
6. The Ministry of Leadership Development – “The ministry of Leadership Development calls forth, affirms, and empowers the diverse gifts, talents, and abilities of adults and young people in our faith communities for comprehensive ministry with adolescents." (Renewing the Vision, pg 40)
7. The Ministry of Pastoral Care – “The ministry of pastoral care is a compassionate presence in imitation of Jesus' care of people, especially those who were hurting and in need.” (Renewing the Vision, pg 42)
8. The Ministry of Prayer & Worship – “The ministry of prayer and worship celebrates and deepens young people's relationship with Jesus Christ through the bestowal of grace, communal prayer and liturgical experiences; it awakens their awareness of the spirit at work in their lives; it incorporates young people more fully into the sacramental life of the Church, especially the Eucharist; it nurtures the personal prayer life of young people; and it fosters family rituals and prayer.” (Renewing the Vision, pg 44)
II – Let’s Concentrate on Leadership Development
1. There are many youth groups or ministries that are doing great work in the Church. But there are some groups or ministries struggling to get off the ground. Is your youth group or ministry having problems with organization, commitment to Christ, commitment to the group and the Church? It could be that the group is disconnected with the family life, parish life, or parish school. It might be disconnected with the youth organization, which supports it.
a. Gather the resources within the Church who can participate in the formation of a group or a ministry. Preferably, those who participate should have experience in dealing with youth, like Catechist, Altar Server Leaders, School Teachers, Sports Coaches and anyone who works with youth. Other leaders from different ministries can play apart in this, where they can be an influence in the practice of the faith, like Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, Bereavement, Ushers and Hospitality, and much more.b. Let all consider the youth leadership amongst the members of the parish. It should have serious youth and possible young adults interested in developing a youth group. If the parish wishes to go further with creating a more dynamic youth ministry, which incorporates multiple amounts of youth groups, then you will need a youth minister or coordinator who will guide, and develop a strategy for the parish.
i. The Youth Minister or Coordinator must create a Coordinating Team, made up of youth and young adults who are Leaders – They can be Vice Coordinator, Secretary, Treasurer, Communications and Activities. Other leadership positions can be created to suit the ministry (Leader of Youth Group, Leader or Coach of a Sport, Leader of Altar Servers, Catechist Teacher Representative, etc). Youth group leaders can use this same structure within their group. It is very important that the Parish Staff and Leaders support the group or ministry being developed, with their prayers and efforts.ii. It is important that this Coordinating Team:
1. Develop a system of formation for future leaders.
2. Develop a system of religious and spiritual formation.3. Empowers leaders to go forth and make disciples of Jesus in their home, parish, community, and society.
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TASK FOR SUNDAY: Your next task will be to put your work together. Here is where you will document your thoughts, plans, structure, and anything that will help the present leadership, and future leadership understand the mission of your group. See email for details.
