Non-Denominational Youth Group

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My daughter is encouraging my grandson to join a non-denominational youth group. She looked for a Catholic youth group, but could not find one that was very active. The middle school youth group at my parish meets after school - not possible to get him to get there. The middle school group at the neighboring parish seemed to have few activities.

He is a great kid - smart & active in sports, but has little to keep him occupied after football season is over. This is his first year of middle school & there is a lot of peer pressure. His grades have dropped this marking period & he has gotten into some minor incidents at school - name calling, etc.

I am concerned about the non-denominational youth group idea. It is better than having nothing to do, but I fear that they will attempt to draw him out of the faith he has been raised in. What’s a grandmother to do>
 
I’d rather have my child in some type of Christian group, hanging out with Christian kids, versus just “hanging out.” A Catholic group would be ideal, but lacking one, go to the next best thing.

I’d talk to him about what he might see and hear at such a group, and help him stand firm in his Catholicism.
 
I would find out more information about this youth group. There are a few that are very respectful of all Christians including Catholics and do not try to proselytize to a particular Church At one time Campus Life was around and their approach was very ecumenical. They generally just focus on our need for repentance , our need for a Savior and faithfulness to Christ. Of course there will be individuals who will try to “save” your grandson from Catholicism.

So I would find out more about the group, and if your grandson participates , then he should be properly prepared. He should be properly catechized in any event, but he should definitely be able to give a defense for his faith if confronted when participating in this non Catholic youth group.
 
Personally, I’d say no. Non-Denominational groups generally have either no solid theology, or are exceptionally lacking in their theological understanding of God and of what it means to truly be a Christian. While their intentions may be good, these deficiencies would only serve to confuse your grandson at a time when he needs solid theological teaching and understanding to develop into a full Catholic Man.

My vote would definitely be no.
 
The issue is not the availability of non-denominational youth groups; the issue is the absence of a Catholic youth group.

Don’t expect catholic kids to start there own.

What’s a grandmother to do? Rally the adults ar your parish to start and maintain a catholic youth program!
 
No.

My friends"non denominational" youth group will as said above will likely try to-“save”- convert him. They went on a mission trip to Brazil to “save” and spread “true” christianity. I’ve also heard from my parents, both protestant, that their church was going to Mexico, to “help”. I doubt this “help” was on a strictly humanitarian level. There is some that will be ok for him but, many-most- will oppose his faith.

then again I do live in the south with “churches” filling every strip mall in sight;) check with a local catholic school. A lot of times they will have groups for kids, not necessarily connected to the school.

Also remind your daughter that “Non denominational” does not mean they don’t have strong biases. Unfortunately, the title grips many catholics because of its “friendly” connotation.
 
I’d talk to your daughter about finding something else for your grandson to do. If he likes sports there is always track and field, baseball, and other after school programs. She would have to look at this Non-Denominational youth group very closely before he starts to make sure they will not try to convert him.

God bless

Custódi nos, Dómine, ut pupíllam óculi.
Sub umbra alárum tuárum prótege nos.
 
I’d personally recommend against a “non denominational” youth group, for reasons others have stated. Is he in a catholic or public school? If he’s in CCD, are there kids he knows that he would do youth group activities with? Is your daughter willing to ask the pastor of her parish to get a teen group started?
 
Honestly, none of us can really say because we are not familiar with the particular church or youth group. I tend to lean on the side of keeping kids active and engaged and this group will probably be a help in doing so. Full disclosure, I grew up in assorted Protestant churches and groups and never heard anything negative about Catholicism and never saw anyone pressured to convert. Just my experience, take it or leave it. Is your grandson’s father in the picture, if you don’t mind my asking? What are his thoughts?
 
My daughter is rather lapsed in her own faith. She married outside the church & her husband is agnostic. She never got any dispensation & married at the courthouse. Her husband did agree for the children to be raised Catholic. They are baptized. Daughter still identifies herself as Catholic, but she does not attend Mass regularly. (I keep them in my prayers) Grandson goes to public school & is in Religious Ed at my parish, but does not live in the same community. He is only involved in football - not baseball or soccer. He was involved in Boy Scouts, but lost interest. So when football season is over, he has too much time to get into mischief. Middle school is a rough time - for the kids and their parents.

I found out tonight that my parish is starting a middle school age drop-in activity on Sunday afternoons, but it won’t start until fall. I can certainly help out with it.
 
Neofight said:
The issue is not the availability of non-denominational youth groups; the issue is the absence of a Catholic youth group.

Don’t expect catholic kids to start there own.

What’s a grandmother to do? Rally the adults ar your parish to start and maintain a catholic youth program!
Click to expand...
We have a great youth program for the high school kids - drop in on Sunday evenings, lots of activities & service projects. The middle school group at my parish has always met after school. Grandson lives in another community & goes to public school, so that does not work for him. I just learned tonight that the middle school youth group will start having a drop-in on Sunday afternoons this fall. This is an effort to get the middle school religious ed kids involved.
 
I would be hesitant about it. Definitely look into it. That said when I was growing up in youth groups like that, they were pretty tame.

Other things to consider is martial arts and Boy Scouts or things like that.

I LOVE the idea of you and your family taking over the catholic youth groups or starting a new one!!!

The reason Protestants have these is because the LAITY makes it happen! We need to do the same!
 
Neofight said:
The issue is not the availability of non-denominational youth groups; the issue is the absence of a Catholic youth group.

Don’t expect catholic kids to start there own.

What’s a grandmother to do? Rally the adults ar your parish to start and maintain a catholic youth program!
Click to expand...
Agreed. People are afraid of kids for some bizarre reason. But I can tell you from years of experience with kids of all ages, it can be one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do.
Kids are thirsty for the truth of our faith.
Approach the priest. There are great materials out there. You can get together other parents of a like mind, or even some good catechists that have no teens of their own, but love to work with them. Well worth the effort. Better to have a Catholic group with sound teaching a “few activities” than go to a group that may teach him something other than what we believe.
Activities do not make the youth group. They are good, and really, given the attention span of kids, necessary. But it’s not the be-all-end-all.
What they really want and need is
  1. to be educated in truth
  2. to have their questions answered
  3. to know they are valued and loved by the Church and God Himself.
    All the rest is gravy. 👍
 
Do you know anything about the Fusion program - one of the local parishes uses Fusion, but it seemed geared to high schoolers. DD has contacted several parishes and the non-denominational group. I hope she chooses a Catholic youth group - but if she does choose the non-denominational group, I think that I should volunteer.
 
  1. I agree with the idea of starting a Catholic youth group at your parish.
  2. Realistically, this is not your child. It is not your place to determine which youth group is appropriate for him. Faith foundation is the primary responsibility of the parents. If the mother decides the non-denominational group is appropriate for him, it’s not your place to criticize her choices.
 
His_helpmeet said:
  1. I agree with the idea of starting a Catholic youth group at your parish.
  2. Realistically, this is not your child. It is not your place to determine which youth group is appropriate for him. Faith foundation is the primary responsibility of the parents. If the mother decides the non-denominational group is appropriate for him, it’s not your place to criticize her choices.
Click to expand...
  1. I realize that he is my grandchild, not my child.
  2. His mother is my daughter & we are close. She is the one who brought it up & asked for my (name removed by moderator)ut
  3. I can volunteer at either the parish or the non-denominational group
 
DiZent said:
Do you know anything about the Fusion program - one of the local parishes uses Fusion, but it seemed geared to high schoolers. DD has contacted several parishes and the non-denominational group. I hope she chooses a Catholic youth group - but if she does choose the non-denominational group, I think that I should volunteer.
Click to expand...
Found the answer. Fusion is for high school age. Edge is for Middle School age. Edge has some great ideas.
 
DiZent said:
Found the answer. Fusion is for high school age. Edge is for Middle School age. Edge has some great ideas.
Click to expand...
Edge is a division of LifeTeen (Catholic YouthMinistry.com)
You can get an internet only member ship from which you can download the lesson plans for $500. The parish should easily be able to cover that. If you get the full blown membership you get staff support, mailings, a box of goodies quarterly.
Call you local LifeTeen affiliate and go in to talk with them. They have lots of helpful resources there as well.
**Remember that all LifeTeen parishes and members are encouraged to make a Holy Hour every Thursday at 2 PM (all around the world) for the intentions of the kids, the families, and the catechists. **
It’s a great network.
 
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