J
Journeyman
Guest
Does your parish have an organized youth group? Our parish has had problems getting one going. Any suggestions for a format, activities,etc…would be appreciated.
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L
La_Chiara
Guest
Our parish had a Catholic youth group which had gone from a thriving well-attended program to a fraction of its former size. There were several reasons–young, poorly trained youth ministers (right out of college) and also Young Life–the “non-denominational” (read “fundamentalist Protestant”) well funded youth group which poached all the Catholic teens. We are now re-organizing the Catholic youth group. From what I have been hearing, a Catholic youth group needs to look to the Protestant youth groups for ideas, but be grounded in the Catholic liturgy and sacraments. It needs to be a balance of educating the kids in our Catholic faith, service, fun and exciting, and sacramental. (And it needs to be upfront that it is Catholic, unlike the Protestant groups who misrepresent themselves as non-denominational. But being upfront usually goes without saying with Catholic organizations.)
Also, I understand the successful ones have a behind-the-scenes structure of parents and religious to plan and keep the group going. Usually, a youth minister who is a young adult (ideally married with little ones) in their late 20s or early 30s is a good role model for the teens and can relate well with them.
There are several Catholic youth group models out there–LifeTeen and CFC-Youth for Christ. (Apparently, the CFC Youth for Christ is part of Couples for Christ, a Catholic group. There is another “Youth for Christ” which is a “nondenominational Christian”–read “Protestant” youth group.) It might help to look at such programs and also talk to other parishes with a thriving youth program to learn what works or what would work in your parish. God bless you. Catholic youth programs are critical to teach and keep our Catholic youth.
Also, I understand the successful ones have a behind-the-scenes structure of parents and religious to plan and keep the group going. Usually, a youth minister who is a young adult (ideally married with little ones) in their late 20s or early 30s is a good role model for the teens and can relate well with them.
There are several Catholic youth group models out there–LifeTeen and CFC-Youth for Christ. (Apparently, the CFC Youth for Christ is part of Couples for Christ, a Catholic group. There is another “Youth for Christ” which is a “nondenominational Christian”–read “Protestant” youth group.) It might help to look at such programs and also talk to other parishes with a thriving youth program to learn what works or what would work in your parish. God bless you. Catholic youth programs are critical to teach and keep our Catholic youth.
D
dhgray
Guest
Thanks for the plug La Chiara,
The CFC-Youth for Christ (CFC-YFC) is in all 50 states now.
CFC Youth for Christ aims to provide a Christian support environment for young teenagers between 13 to 21 years of age.The program is oriented towards meeting the needs of our young people to belong, to be motivated, to be useful, to be good examples, to be Christian witnesses. It has put a premium on four characteristics: it is Fun; it builds Friendships; it enhances the Faith; it allows the young Free, but responsible expression.
Check them out at www.cfcyfcusa.com
If you have problems finding them or want to start a CFC-YFC ministry in your are, please PM or e-mail me.
God Bless,
Davis Gray
Couples For Christ
Chicago, IL
The CFC-Youth for Christ (CFC-YFC) is in all 50 states now.
CFC Youth for Christ aims to provide a Christian support environment for young teenagers between 13 to 21 years of age.The program is oriented towards meeting the needs of our young people to belong, to be motivated, to be useful, to be good examples, to be Christian witnesses. It has put a premium on four characteristics: it is Fun; it builds Friendships; it enhances the Faith; it allows the young Free, but responsible expression.
Check them out at www.cfcyfcusa.com
If you have problems finding them or want to start a CFC-YFC ministry in your are, please PM or e-mail me.
God Bless,
Davis Gray
Couples For Christ
Chicago, IL
M
moedom
Guest
La Chiara:
My negative thought for the day. I will try to limit them from now on.
It also helps that the priest that you have is not a one that doesn’t believe in following the teachings of the Church. We unfortunately have one of those, in fact he thinks that what ever is coming out of the Vatican is old fashioned and not applicable for our hemisphere.
My negative thought for the day. I will try to limit them from now on.
K
KCT
Guest
My answer would be, “Yes, and it’s improving because of our new youth minister.” Somewhere between “it rocks” and “mediocre”.
She’s young and loves the Faith. She wants the kids to know the truth. It’s tough going because the minute she introduces something spiritual, attendance drops. She’s persevering though, and I think will turn things around. I pray for her alot. —KCT
She’s young and loves the Faith. She wants the kids to know the truth. It’s tough going because the minute she introduces something spiritual, attendance drops. She’s persevering though, and I think will turn things around. I pray for her alot. —KCT
K
khkhk
Guest
Well, this summer mine had a softball league, mission trip, and youth group every wednesday nights with various activities such as game night, movie night, Bible study, and going to sporting events. This is all for people 9-12 grade.
A
Annunciata
Guest
Our parish has one but the only time the youth are interested is when they go on a Ski Trip…
J
JGC
Guest
We have a junior and a senior youth group. Both thriving and instituted by our hardworking and holy priest.:clapping:
Both meet weekly, go on regular days out and each summer on retreat for a week. It was oversubscribed this year, Fr Pat had to hope 4 would drop out before the day or there would not be enough seats on the bus!
Both meet weekly, go on regular days out and each summer on retreat for a week. It was oversubscribed this year, Fr Pat had to hope 4 would drop out before the day or there would not be enough seats on the bus!
J
JGC
Guest
Our priest (see above post) is on a (well earned) holiday at the mo, but I will get some more info on the youth groups and get back to you.
S
stbruno
Guest
Our parish has volunteer youth ministers for the past 10 years. The group has a steady flow of teens coming and going. They have even attended the National Catholic Youth Conferences held at different spots biannually in the U.S. The teens do social justice projects seasonally in our parish, as well as participate in sporting events, archdiocesan events and religious events. They do not have a teen mass, but some of the teens act as lectors, choir members and eucharistic ministers. Of course, being volunteer, the youth ministers have to relay on running their own fund raisers to finance any teen activities. It would be invaluable if the kids actually had a paid minister who could mentor to the kids all the time, have a designated meeting spot, storage space, even a youth center room, but unfortunately we are not so lucky.
Our youth ministers mimic the gospel message however, the kids haven’t quite connected as effectively…They come to meetings, some attend mass regularly but a great many just come for the company and socialization part of it. We are working steadily to bridge the gap, but it’s not reinforced at home or by culture.
The youth ministers continue despite the obstacles, and we keep them in our prayers, and ask your members to do as well.
Our youth ministers mimic the gospel message however, the kids haven’t quite connected as effectively…They come to meetings, some attend mass regularly but a great many just come for the company and socialization part of it. We are working steadily to bridge the gap, but it’s not reinforced at home or by culture.
The youth ministers continue despite the obstacles, and we keep them in our prayers, and ask your members to do as well.
T
Toni
Guest
Our parish youth group recently went to Fr. Solanus’s soup kitchen and stayed in Detroit for the entire week helping out.
I was impressed when I saw our Christian service co. and she was very excited about taking the young men and women there.
S
stbruno
Guest
Most of the high schools, both public & Catholic required their students to do public service. It’s usually measured in hours per quarter or semester. Our youth group provides opportunities for the teens to become involved. For some it is what hooks them, for others it is the first time they have ever been involved. As youth ministers, we just plant seeds and hope some falls on fertile soil.
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