How to teach Catholic Traditions to youth?

[Cat]

There might have been a better way to approach this problem without coming across so angry. I am sure you are not angry but like me you instinctively feel concern for the youth director’s position.

Unfortunately what you say is true. There is great danger for a youth director to invite children to his or her home. Not only is there danger for children if this were an allowable practice, a youth director opens himself or herself for lawsuits if anything goes wrong within their home. Because of the scandals concerning child abuse within the Catholic Church, Cardinals and Bishops are implementing many strong guidelines and rules to protect both youth leaders and children in their care.

Protestant Churches are becoming aware of the problem as well. There are, sadly, youth leaders who will take advantage of children and unless there are well defined guidelines to follow children can be exploited.

Even if there is nothing untoward is happening and a youth leader is the wisest and most holy of people, if someone was hurt, fell down, broke a leg, they would be liable for damages. Church’s, both Protestant and Catholic, have insurance and procedures in place to handle such a situation.

Did neither of you actually read my post?

I made it clear that there need to be plenty of PARENTS around. I even came right out and stated that adult lives have been ruined by accusations of sexual impropriety.

Good heavens, I’m not saying that a youth worker should invite a lone child over to his or her house and close all the curtains.

I’m suggesting activities together as a group, with plenty of parents around to chaperone.

Again, it works very well in Protestant churches. I can still remember going over to my 7th grade Sunday School teacher’s house for a class dinner. She made green bean casserole–it was the first time I had ever had it (my mom didn’t make casseroles). And her house was so pretty and all her four children were there and they were so nice–from then on, I was determined to be just like her when I grew up. A few weeks ago, she was the speaker at a local Evangelical Protestant event in our city, and I was heartbroken that I couldn’t go hear her speak because I had to work. She’s in her 80s now, and as beautiful in looks and soul than ever.

I repeat, the BEST way to teach children and teenagers is with your own Christian life.

And I am NOT suggesting that anyone disobey their diocese. I would never suggest such a thing. Teachers and workers should obey whatever rules are set.

I am not suggesting anything different than Father Karol Wojtyla did with the young people in HIS parish decades ago. He actually camped with them–mixed groups of young people! He took them skiing and kayaking and taught them so much, not just with words.

If it’s good enough for him, it’s good enough for me.

A few months ago, I took several teenagers to a concert at our local music club. They met me there, and were picked up by their parents, so there was no “alone time” with them. I think it was a good thing for them and me.

 

[HelenRose]

Did neither of you actually read my post?

I made it clear that there need to be plenty of PARENTS around. I even came right out and stated that adult lives have been ruined by accusations of sexual impropriety.

Good heavens, I’m not saying that a youth worker should invite a lone child over to his or her house and close all the curtains.

I’m suggesting activities together as a group, with plenty of parents around to chaperone.

Again, it works very well in Protestant churches. I can still remember going over to my 7th grade Sunday School teacher’s house for a class dinner. She made green bean casserole–it was the first time I had ever had it (my mom didn’t make casseroles). And her house was so pretty and all her four children were there and they were so nice–from then on, I was determined to be just like her when I grew up. A few weeks ago, she was the speaker at a local Evangelical Protestant event in our city, and I was heartbroken that I couldn’t go hear her speak because I had to work. She’s in her 80s now, and as beautiful in looks and soul than ever.

I repeat, the BEST way to teach children and teenagers is with your own Christian life.

And I am NOT suggesting that anyone disobey their diocese. I would never suggest such a thing. Teachers and workers should obey whatever rules are set.

I am not suggesting anything different than Father Karol Wojtyla did with the young people in HIS parish decades ago. He actually camped with them–mixed groups of young people! He took them skiing and kayaking and taught them so much, not just with words.

If it’s good enough for him, it’s good enough for me.

A few months ago, I took several teenagers to a concert at our local music club. They met me there, and were picked up by their parents, so there was no “alone time” with them. I think it was a good thing for them and me.

Maybe we had all better sit back, take a deep breath and take a look at how we are demonstrating our expertise, compassion and understanding for this young man who is so filled with zeal and desire to teach the young.

 

[Miserissima]

Did neither of you actually read my post?

I did, and sadly for the protection of the Church and its people, it is naieve. Father Wojtyla lived in a different era, as evidenced by the Protestant churches who have also come under fire because their personnel have been accused of various improprieties with youth. I don’t look to Jerry Lee Lewis marrying his 13yo cousin as representative of his era or his church at that time.

QUOTE=Cat;12347311]
I repeat, the BEST way to teach children and teenagers is with your own Christian life.

But it’s not the only way, especially if the kids only see the catechist for an hour a week. If there is a way to reinforce the Domestic Church so that it works hand in hand with religious education, let’s look to building that first before we use Protestant models of youth education. (Not because the models are Protestant per se, but our focus should be more like CYO was when it was successful, not incorporating P&W services on Wednesday evenings.)

My advice to the OP is to meet with the parents as a group, tell them your objectives, let them know how they’re valued as the first teachers of our children and how they can help reinforce the lessons in every day life via a simple record-and-reward system, incorporating praise at home. Have a party in a neutral place at the end of the year if you want to. But the Church culture has changed its relationship with the secular world from the 1940s, notably in response to the scandals. And let’s avoid any hint of scandal…not just in response to the lawsuits, but from here on out.

A few months ago, I took several teenagers to a concert at our local music club. They met me there, and were picked up by their parents, so there was no “alone time” with them. I think it was a good thing for them and me.

Was this a social event or were you acting in a formal capacity, as an agent of the Church? If the latter, did you vet it properly through your parish, considering their liability in several areas? Was this a whole class or a select few?

 

[HelenRose]

I did, and sadly for the protection of the Church and its people, it is naieve. Father Wojtyla lived in a different era, as evidenced by the Protestant churches who have also come under fire because their personnel have been accused of various improprieties with youth. I don’t look to Jerry Lee Lewis marrying his 13yo cousin as representative of his era or his church at that time.

QUOTE=Cat;12347311]
I repeat, the BEST way to teach children and teenagers is with your own Christian life.

But it’s not the only way, especially if the kids only see the catechist for an hour a week. If there is a way to reinforce the Domestic Church so that it works hand in hand with religious education, let’s look to building that first before we use Protestant models of youth education. (Not because the models are Protestant per se, but our focus should be more like CYO was when it was successful, not incorporating P&W services on Wednesday evenings.)

My advice to the OP is to meet with the parents as a group, tell them your objectives, let them know how they’re valued as the first teachers of our children and how they can help reinforce the lessons in every day life via a simple record-and-reward system, incorporating praise at home. Have a party in a neutral place at the end of the year if you want to. But the Church culture has changed its relationship with the secular world from the 1940s, notably in response to the scandals. And let’s avoid any hint of scandal…not just in response to the lawsuits, but from here on out.

Was this a social event or were you acting in a formal capacity, as an agent of the Church? If the latter, did you vet it properly through your parish, considering their liability in several areas? Was this a whole class or a select few?

Much better response than mine. Thank you.

 

[HelenRose]

I did, and sadly for the protection of the Church and its people, it is naieve. Father Wojtyla lived in a different era, as evidenced by the Protestant churches who have also come under fire because their personnel have been accused of various improprieties with youth. I don’t look to Jerry Lee Lewis marrying his 13yo cousin as representative of his era or his church at that time.

QUOTE=Cat;12347311]
I repeat, the BEST way to teach children and teenagers is with your own Christian life.

But it’s not the only way, especially if the kids only see the catechist for an hour a week. If there is a way to reinforce the Domestic Church so that it works hand in hand with religious education, let’s look to building that first before we use Protestant models of youth education. (Not because the models are Protestant per se, but our focus should be more like CYO was when it was successful, not incorporating P&W services on Wednesday evenings.)

My advice to the OP is to meet with the parents as a group, tell them your objectives, let them know how they’re valued as the first teachers of our children and how they can help reinforce the lessons in every day life via a simple record-and-reward system, incorporating praise at home. Have a party in a neutral place at the end of the year if you want to. But the Church culture has changed its relationship with the secular world from the 1940s, notably in response to the scandals. And let’s avoid any hint of scandal…not just in response to the lawsuits, but from here on out.

Was this a social event or were you acting in a formal capacity, as an agent of the Church? If the latter, did you vet it properly through your parish, considering their liability in several areas? Was this a whole class or a select few?

Much better response than mine. Thank you.

 

[HelenRose]

Much better response than mine. Thank you.

 

[Brandall]

So anyway, scripture is a great thing to learn about but is that the best way these kids could spend their time?

I decided to google what percent of Catholics believed in the real presence in the Eucharist. uscatholic.org/blog/201305/knowing-believing-and-sometimes-not-knowing-believing-too-27323
50% of the respondents didn’t know what the Church taught about the real presence. However, 63% thought that the bread and wine became the body and blood of Christ. It’s surprising that 50% doesn’t know what the Church teaches and 47% doesn’t know that the bread and wine become the body and blood of Jesus. This is just one area where knowledge is lacking.

In these classes, these students should probably be taught what uniquely makes us Catholic. Otherwise, in another generation, there might be even a larger percentage that knows not what the Church teaches. It would be fairly easy to design or borrow a program to teach these things.

It would be nice when they make that profession of faith that they had some kind of idea what it is they are professing.

 

[Cat]

I did, and sadly for the protection of the Church and its people, it is naieve. Father Wojtyla lived in a different era, as evidenced by the Protestant churches who have also come under fire because their personnel have been accused of various improprieties with youth. I don’t look to Jerry Lee Lewis marrying his 13yo cousin as representative of his era or his church at that time.

QUOTE=Cat;12347311]
I repeat, the BEST way to teach children and teenagers is with your own Christian life.

But it’s not the only way, especially if the kids only see the catechist for an hour a week. If there is a way to reinforce the Domestic Church so that it works hand in hand with religious education, let’s look to building that first before we use Protestant models of youth education. (Not because the models are Protestant per se, but our focus should be more like CYO was when it was successful, not incorporating P&W services on Wednesday evenings.)

My advice to the OP is to meet with the parents as a group, tell them your objectives, let them know how they’re valued as the first teachers of our children and how they can help reinforce the lessons in every day life via a simple record-and-reward system, incorporating praise at home. Have a party in a neutral place at the end of the year if you want to. But the Church culture has changed its relationship with the secular world from the 1940s, notably in response to the scandals. And let’s avoid any hint of scandal…not just in response to the lawsuits, but from here on out.

Was this a social event or were you acting in a formal capacity, as an agent of the Church? If the latter, did you vet it properly through your parish, considering their liability

in several areas? Was this a whole class or a select few?

I was acting as one of the teachers at the traditional Catholic school where I volunteer. Yes, I asked the principal of the school. It was a trio of teenaged girls, and I took them to see a trio of adult women that I know. The girls had a great time, met the women’s trio, talked to several musicians at the event, and probably spread a lot of good PR about their school and Catholic faith.

I think this discussion is very sad. But I now understand why so many Catholic teenagers do not continue to attend church after they are confirmed and/or after they graduate from high school.

It’s only going to get worse. The current generation of Catholic parents apparently grew up with religious education methods which apparently consisted one hour a week of listening to a teacher telling them a list of "things to know. They apparently didn’t learn these things, but yet, they will be asked to be their child’s “first teachers.”

How can the blind lead the blind?

There is nothing “Protestant” about a teacher teaching students through real-life experiences and personal example. The very best school teachers do this.

And if it is done with proper safeguards (e.g., a number of parents present as chaperones), there is no reason to fear sexual predation accusations. In fact, I don’t see how a teacher teaching in a classroom in a church building is providing a “safer” setting than a group of kids, parents, and teachers attending a concert, or helping out at the local rescue mission, or having a burger at McDonalds, or having a cookout/potluck on the deck at one of the teachers’ homes.

There are plenty of Protestant churches, including mine, that had incidents of sexual abuse and rape of children or teenagers. But you don’t throw out a superior teaching method because of one evil teacher. You make changes to the method to make it safer; e.g., chaperones (I keep listing this as the example, but there are plenty of other changes that have been implemented in Protestant churches).

This isn’t about Protestants vs. Catholics. It’s about effective teaching techniques that help kids of all ages to learn what they need to know; in this case, we are trying to teach them the traditions of their faith. I stand by my original statement–the best way to teach kids is through personal example of faith lived day to day, in everyday settings. Anyone can stand in front of a class and amaze the students with lively lectures, questions and answers, Socratic dialogue, etc. But the lessons will never be forgotten if the students see that same teacher actually LIVING out what he/she teaches. I hope that the OP will work within the rules of his diocese and find a way to implement my suggestion of being Jesus to his students in real life, not just in the classroom once a week.

 

[janeway529]

I’m now a young adult volunteer catechist for jr high and high school students at my parish and while I don’t teach yet. I am part of the leadership. I think the youth program is good, I feel like the teaching is way too elementary and could use some more advanced level material.

What I mean by elementary is we read a Bible verse and talk about it with some sort of moral point. Since I was a former youth group member I know that the verse and discussion will be forgotten by the next day.

In my opinion the program could do better than that., so I think there could be better ways than reading forgettable Bible verses.

Any suggestions?

I highly recommend using visual aids rather than lectures or reading lessons all the time. Also, expose them to the different traditions. Age-appropriate films and videos, activities that help reinforce the day’s lesson, discussions, have a priest come and do a “teaching Mass,” have a Taize service, some praise and worship and Eucharistic adoration, Ignatian contemplation, guided meditation, have guest speakers like members of various religious orders and consecrated life speak about their vocations, etc.

Here’s one I enjoyed from my Confirmation years: During Lent, we did a Stations of the Cross/Examination of Conscience. We were each given a large trash bag to wear around our neck. Then, as we went through each station examining our conscience with the meditation/question on each station, if it was something we were guilty of, we would have to put a canned good into our trash bag. Subsequently, the bags would become heavier and harder to carry as we continued. It was a great lesson about sin and the effects of sin, as well as the need for confession.

Also, what made me understand the Real Presence of the Eucharist were Eucharistic Miracles, particularly the one of Lanciano, Italy.

Insert some theology into your teachings of the Catechism, and it will help the students understand immensely.

 

[Jack007]

I had always wished when I was younger in CCD was a detailed explanation of the Mass. Not just one or two classes. But how did the Mass start, why do we do the things we do in Mass, history, etc.
.

we learn exactly that. we learn in depth the symbolism and each part of the qurbana in the east syriac rite in detail.

 

[Jack007]

i would like to know the age group of the students.