A Question for Youth Ministers / Faith Formation Coordinators

[Ophelia23]

Hi friends! We are looking to implement an overhaul in our parish this year regarding both the Middle School and High School groups, and even in terms of how we approach Confirmation prep classes as well. I have my feelers out for what sorts of curriculum other parishes are using. Do you have one that has been successful for your parish, that you would recommend to another?

Any feedback is appreciated!

 

[peace2u2]

Hi friends! We are looking to implement an overhaul in our parish this year regarding both the Middle School and High School groups, and even in terms of how we approach Confirmation prep classes as well. I have my feelers out for what sorts of curriculum other parishes are using. Do you have one that has been successful for your parish, that you would recommend to another?

Any feedback is appreciated!

Here are a few that we have used - I really don’t know if its been successful as its pretty new:

dynamiccatholic.com/confirmation/view-program/
I bought this program for myself and even though my kids are already confirmed, we have been watching it over the summer as part of our “Bible Study” and they really like this program.

reallifecatholic.com/

No Imitations Chris Stefanik:
youtube.com/watch?v=Sui2AcmQ_dI&list=RDSui2AcmQ_dI

thetheologyofthebody.com/information/teens

ascensionpress.com/t/category/study-programs/catholic-bible-study/adult-bible-study/quick-journey

confirmationstudy.com/

chastityproject.com/

 

[Ophelia23]

Here are a few that we have used - I really don’t know if its been successful as its pretty new:

dynamiccatholic.com/confirmation/view-program/
I bought this program for myself and even though my kids are already confirmed, we have been watching it over the summer as part of our “Bible Study” and they really like this program.

reallifecatholic.com/

No Imitations Chris Stefanik:
youtube.com/watch?v=Sui2AcmQ_dI&list=RDSui2AcmQ_dI

thetheologyofthebody.com/information/teens

ascensionpress.com/t/category/study-programs/catholic-bible-study/adult-bible-study/quick-journey

confirmationstudy.com/

chastityproject.com/

I have been leaning to either the Dynamic Catholic series or Christ Stefanik, or more likely a combination of the two… But these other suggestions are also great. I’ll check them out!

 

[pianistclare]

LifeTeen and Edge.
It transformed our groups. Literally overnight we went from less than 15 high School kids to 100 in one group and 0 Middle school kids to 50 regulars. Eucharistic based, and they give you more material than you can cram into 2 hours. Oodles of resources. They’ll come out and train your CORE team, they give awesome retreats, the whole thing is well worth doing. Our kids love it, and there’s a lot of content. It’s not a jump around and eat pizza thing.
We write our own Confirmation program. 5 3 hour session, a three day retreat at LifeTeen Hidden lake, and interviews with the Pastor and Bishop before the Confirmation.
20 hours community service, a paper on their patron Saint, and a statement of what they’re like to go next in terms of their faith formation or ministry interests.

We love it.
Lots of people on CAF don’t. But it worked wonders fro our parish. The entire parish is proud of our teens, and they return after Confirmation to help with the younger kids and work in the parish.

 

[Ophelia23]

LifeTeen and Edge.
It transformed our groups. Literally overnight we went from less than 15 high School kids to 100 in one group and 0 Middle school kids to 50 regulars. Eucharistic based, and they give you more material than you can cram into 2 hours. Oodles of resources. They’ll come out and train your CORE team, they give awesome retreats, the whole thing is well worth doing. Our kids love it, and there’s a lot of content. It’s not a jump around and eat pizza thing.
We write our own Confirmation program. 5 3 hour session, a three day retreat at LifeTeen Hidden lake, and interviews with the Pastor and Bishop before the Confirmation.
20 hours community service, a paper on their patron Saint, and a statement of what they’re like to go next in terms of their faith formation or ministry interests.

We love it.
Lots of people on CAF don’t. But it worked wonders fro our parish. The entire parish is proud of our teens, and they return after Confirmation to help with the younger kids and work in the parish.

I am the product of the LifeTeen program, and in my first position as Youth Minister 10 years ago we implemented The Edge to dovetail from LifeTeen and had HUGE success. We have had many young men become priests from that parish. My current parish, however, is not ready for LifeTeen. So at this point and time, I am outside of the LT box. I’m so happy to hear of its success in your parish!!

 

[mamlukman]

For about six months I’ve been researching Catholics who convert to Islam.

The saddest part is that they constantly say (in Youtube videos) that they had questions, but no one bothered to take them seriously. They went to their local priest or teacher, and they were brushed off. Then their Muslim friends and the local imam came along…end of story.

Watching Q&A sessions of Christians asking questions of imams at Muslim rallies is the worst. The young people are absolutely, totally clueless. The imams quite often have degrees in comparative religion or Christian theology. It’s like shooting fish in a barrel.

At the very least, students should know 1) why (the Biblical basis) Catholics believe in the Trinity and 2) why Catholics believe Jesus is God and 3) the Catholic view of inspiration and revelation.

Without this, it’s like sending Christians to the Colosseum to fight lions.