Parish Youth Groups & Evangelical Movements

  • Thread starter Thread starter wnt2bHis
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
W

wnt2bHis

Guest
I need your (name removed by moderator)ut on Parish Youth Groups. Our parish had a youth minister for about 3 years and she did a fantastic job of engaging our youth and at the same time, giving good Roman Catholic formation. Unfortunately, she had to double-duty as the religious ed director and she quickly burned out and had to leave. Since then, the new priest, has dismantled the program entirely and there is NOTHING for the young people after Confirmation…and that was even watered down!

There are several evangelical gathering in the area that are tied to the Young Life/Wyld Life organization and MANY of our youth are going to the Sunday evening worship service instead of Mass. Obviously, it’s fun and entertaining and engaging. This is causing a huge rift and much pressure from my kids who are horribly bored at Mass. My wife and I disagree…I don’t think Mass is meant to be “entertaining” and she thinks the Church is not doing what it needs to do to keep our kids in the Church. We disagree horribly on this thing. Our priest says a youth minister is going to be hired, but I haven’t seen it yet and honestly, don’t think he’s committed to making it happen at all. I’m so upset, I want to consider moving to another parish.

Anyone ever experience the same thing? What did you do? What successes have you had? What failures? What resources are here to help foster a good engaging formation for our youth!

rumblings from the Holy Spirit…
 
I would go to another parish if there is one around that has a decent youth program. You have no time to waste seeing if Father is going to do what he has said. Teenagers need to be anchored in their faith as well as possible. Going to a Protestant church will most likely end in the kids being Protestant.
 
Why not ask the pastor to meet with the young people and their parents? All parties need to have a fruitful and mature discussion on the direction the parish is heading as far as the young people are concerned.

Now, in my diocese, there is sort of a catch-all group for those parishes that do not have their own youth ministry. It is the young-adult version of Cursillo. Obviously, I am a bit too old to be a young adult (however, because this particular Cursillo retreat is the only English-language one for the movement in my city, I had to live it with the kids), the movement is pretty good and rather solid. Unfortunately, due to increased responsibilities at work and at the Animal Shelter, I’ve not been able to attend as often as I would like. The only caveat is that while the doctrine is pretty good, there are some issues with the way the Mass is being celebrated. Now that the priest who heads up the diocesan vocation’s office is in charge of the Youth Cursillo, I am hoping that things will change for the better.

Now, there is also nothing wrong with hooking up with a youth group in a nearby parish. My father’s former parish is not exactly young and growing as it once was. The kids are going to the youth group in my parish. Both pastors are fine with that.

Nonetheless, you need to have some face time with your pastor.
 
wnt2bHis said:
I need your (name removed by moderator)ut on Parish Youth Groups. Our parish had a youth minister for about 3 years and she did a fantastic job of engaging our youth and at the same time, giving good Roman Catholic formation. Unfortunately, she had to double-duty as the religious ed director and she quickly burned out and had to leave. Since then, the new priest, has dismantled the program entirely and there is NOTHING for the young people after Confirmation…and that was even watered down!

There are several evangelical gathering in the area that are tied to the Young Life/Wyld Life organization and MANY of our youth are going to the Sunday evening worship service instead of Mass. Obviously, it’s fun and entertaining and engaging. This is causing a huge rift and much pressure from my kids who are horribly bored at Mass. My wife and I disagree…I don’t think Mass is meant to be “entertaining” and she thinks the Church is not doing what it needs to do to keep our kids in the Church. We disagree horribly on this thing. Our priest says a youth minister is going to be hired, but I haven’t seen it yet and honestly, don’t think he’s committed to making it happen at all. I’m so upset, I want to consider moving to another parish.

Anyone ever experience the same thing? What did you do? What successes have you had? What failures? What resources are here to help foster a good engaging formation for our youth!

rumblings from the Holy Spirit…
Click to expand...
I think that you are correct!
Here is a link to a Protestant article you may find interesting!
Reforming Youth Ministry
modernreformation.org/default.php?page=articledisplay&var1=ArtRead&var2=720&var3=searchresults&var4=Search&var5=Youth_Groups
It is time we teach our students the heart of God’s Word. I am not talking about Christianity 101, but the no-holds-barred approach to the truth. It is time our youth groups tackle issues such as: the holiness of God, the total depravity of man, divine sovereignty, justification and sanctification. Some people feel these issues are too lofty for our young people, but I think it is the cure for which we have begun searching. Until we begin to tackle a proper study of God and the deep, rich truths of His Word, we are guilty of sentencing our kids to a life with no direction and no understanding.
.
 
It is a shame that people think kids need a “program” or to be “entertained”. It is worse that Catholic parents would allow their children to attend non-Catholic worship services and fail to go to Mass. And, the biggest failure of all is that parents seem to abdicate their role as the educators of their children in the faith. Dumping them off at a non-Catholic church instead of raising them to be holy men and women is a SHAME on those parents.

You are 100% correct that the Mass is not enteratinment, it is Heaven come down to Earth and we are called to WORSHIP God in the Mass.

Your wife seems to misunderstand the Mass herself.
 
Does your church have solid, orthodox liturgies? Solid music? Solid homilies? If yes and kids are bored with that, then the focus needs to be on educating them about the Mass. If not then those problems need to be fixed.
 
VociMike said:
Does your church have solid, orthodox liturgies? Solid music? Solid homilies? If yes and kids are bored with that, then the focus needs to be on educating them about the Mass. If not then those problems need to be fixed.
Click to expand...
Thanks for bringing that point out because it is the most important one of all. Although, as I have found out here in my own diocese, most, if not all, of the formation for the faithful ends after the Sacrament of Confirmation has been conferred. All of us need to be strengthened in the Faith. If not, when Protestant ecclesial communities come a-calling, or pseudo-Christian groups come, and we have no defense, then we fall victim to the tales these groups spin.

I can certainly see the situation that the OP is facing. We need to have continuous religious formation. However, it must always proceed from the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and be in symch with the Church. If not, then it’s bound for failure.
 
VociMike: Our parish has music-style with every single mass from traditional to pop. I argue with my wife that if we are choosing our Mass time due to the style of music, then the music is the central focus of the Mass…NOT the word and Eucharist.

At first, I loved the more upbeat Mass. But now, I find it noisey and distracting. I can’t take on the Liturgy issue. I don’t have the time or energy to make that change. My vocation should be focused on my marriage and children which by the way, is a full time job.

Meeting with the pastor would do not good. He has his own agenda.

I believe I vowed to raise them in the faith when I baptized them. If I have to do it myself, then so be it.

Benedictgal: My wife and I both have been through Cursillo and in fact try to particpate when we can. There is a youth TEC here but it is not pushed at the parish level even though the pastor was at one time very involved.

We need to pray for our priests and parents. We are all in the same boat I just realized! Being hit by so much discouragement and confusion, we can’t live out our vocations.
 
People who think that the majority of teenagers will be interested in Mass just because it is the Holy Mass and Jesus is there are naive.

There are exceptions, of course, and perhaps these people were these exceptions in their younger days, or perhaps because of their particular family situation, their kids love the Mass and have no rebelliousness whatsoever (at least where the parents ever see it).

But most kids are going to rebel. That’s the way teenagers are. It’s normal. It’s the way they grow up.

The parents’ job is to get the kids through this rebellion with as little harm resulting to the kid as possible. Getting something pierced is not going to kill anyone. Taking drugs or drag racing or having promiscuous sex will.

Teenagers are peer-dependent. Again, this is not sinful or evil or a sign of the downfall of the Church or the degradation in the culture. It’s the way teenagers grow up.

Again, peer dependency isn’t going to kill anyone–in most cases. It depends on the peers, though. And that’s where the Youth Group can be life-saving.

I suggest that people who think all kids should be “educated” to love the Mass should get out and become acquainted with other real families in your parish. You will see that perfectly orthodox, conservative, traditional Catholic families still struggle with rebellious teenagers who announce that they are “quitting church.” It’s not the fault of the parents, it’s not the fault of the “irreverent Mass.” It’s not anyone’s fault. Some people do absolutely everything right and their kids still reject it all. That’s just the way it is. Ragging about it or pronouncing judgement or describing all the things YOU would have done is not going to help. It just makes the parents more miserable.

A Youth Group program is a great way to try to hold onto kids who are resisting parental authority. A person who is gifted by God in Youth Ministry can act as a go-between during those growing-up years and serve as an “anchor” to keep the teen at least attached to the Church and to Jesus.

A Youth Group is also a great way to train teenagers how to plug into the Church and explore ways to serve God now and when they grow up.

And I agree, a Youth Group is a great way for teens to study the Bible and other spiritual works. I think that Bible study and prayer should not be options, but part of the core of the Youth Group. Just talking about sex, dating, movies, and music is not going to hold onto the youth, as they can do this anywhere and in settings a whole lot more fun than the church “fireside room” or “fellowship hall.” There has to be meat there that the kids hunger for.
 
If you want your kids to leave the Catholic Church, those Evangelical Youth Groups are the fasttrack.

There are some solid programs out there like Dead Theologians Society.

A youth group does not have to be a big huge fancy program. It can be 5 or 6 people who KNOW the faith, who practice the Faith, and who give a darn about teens.

Have a meeting with teens and parents of teens, and ask them (you can even hand out a survey) what do YOU want from a youth group? What topics of discussion? What social events?

Those leaders go through those topics, make up a schedule and pick a night to meet.

Monday at 6:30 there is a youth group meeting at the such and such meeting place.

Here is how ours works.

The first 30 minutes is social - this means food (if you have no budget, ask the parents to take turns bringing the food, sandwiches and chips, chili, grill some dogs. Cheap O pizza is always a good choice - places like CiCis will give you a great deal on pizzas.)

At 7 whichever adult has the topic for the evening begins the discussion - it is very much a combo lesson/open discussion.

Every teen has a Bible, has pens and highlighters available, we have copies of the CCC right there - and these kids (ours want lots of aplolgetics, social teachings, and moral issues) actually WANT to take notes :eek:

During the discussion, we adult leaders keep our ears open because many times the next round of topics will flow from those questions.

The evening ends with prayer, sometimes a rosary, sometimes a extemperaneous prayer, we have done SOTC and DM Chaplets.

Some weeks are all social - putt putt golf, hanging in the gym, movie nights.

Some special events - we did “Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader” using the CCD books for grades 1-5 as questions.

We have a “Stump the Priest” night - the kids are encouraged to come up with tough questions and we have a panel that includes at least one Priest to answer.

You can show teens you care without a rock band 🙂
 
kage_ar said:
If you want your kids to leave the Catholic Church, those Evangelical Youth Groups are the fasttrack.

There are some solid programs out there like Dead Theologians Society.

A youth group does not have to be a big huge fancy program. It can be 5 or 6 people who KNOW the faith, who practice the Faith, and who give a darn about teens.

Have a meeting with teens and parents of teens, and ask them (you can even hand out a survey) what do YOU want from a youth group? What topics of discussion? What social events?

Those leaders go through those topics, make up a schedule and pick a night to meet.

Monday at 6:30 there is a youth group meeting at the such and such meeting place.

Here is how ours works.

The first 30 minutes is social - this means food (if you have no budget, ask the parents to take turns bringing the food, sandwiches and chips, chili, grill some dogs. Cheap O pizza is always a good choice - places like CiCis will give you a great deal on pizzas.)

At 7 whichever adult has the topic for the evening begins the discussion - it is very much a combo lesson/open discussion.

Every teen has a Bible, has pens and highlighters available, we have copies of the CCC right there - and these kids (ours want lots of aplolgetics, social teachings, and moral issues) actually WANT to take notes :eek:

During the discussion, we adult leaders keep our ears open because many times the next round of topics will flow from those questions.

The evening ends with prayer, sometimes a rosary, sometimes a extemperaneous prayer, we have done SOTC and DM Chaplets.

Some weeks are all social - putt putt golf, hanging in the gym, movie nights.

Some special events - we did “Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader” using the CCD books for grades 1-5 as questions.

We have a “Stump the Priest” night - the kids are encouraged to come up with tough questions and we have a panel that includes at least one Priest to answer.

You can show teens you care without a rock band 🙂
Click to expand...
This is excellent. What teens more than anything is someone who actually gives a hoot about them. I used to teach church clubs on Wednesday night; one of the best meetings we ever had was not meant to be. Due to snow, the club had been cancelled, but several girls showed up anyway. We colored pictures, talked about television, and one of the church dads brought in pizza for us. The discussion was quite deep, as we shared our convictions about watching and not watching certain shows. It wasn’t so much what we did, but the love that we had for the girls. (I’m a woman, BTW.)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top