Religious Ed/Faith Formation For Teens

[untruestory]

Our parish has a Youth Minister and a half dozen volunteers that do the religious ed for HS students. I recently became involved as a volunteer and have a son in it and a daughter that will be soon. I hadn’t become Catholic until my late 20s so I had no idea what to expect. I was shocked to see how high the dropout rate was. We lose about half the kids each year. I spoke with a couple acquaintances in other parts of the country involved professionally that shared with me they have roughly the same dropout rate.

Has anyone had any luck improving those numbers? If so how?

From what I’ve heard, many feel it’s because the parents aren’t doing their part and efforts to involve them haven’t been successful. Has anyone had success in that area? It seems to me that, as independent and rebellious as teens are, we should be able to capture the hearts of more kids than that even if their parents aren’t supportive.

I refuse to believe this is the best we can do. At those numbers, together with the stats I’ve read about Catholics drifting away at college at a rate of 80% (yes I know many revert after) that means that 40 kids entering religious ed in HS > 5 entering college > 1 entering adulthood as faithful Catholics.

 

[phil19034]

Our parish has a Youth Minister and a half dozen volunteers that do the religious ed for HS students. I recently became involved as a volunteer and have a son in it and a daughter that will be soon. I hadn’t become Catholic until my late 20s so I had no idea what to expect. I was shocked to see how high the dropout rate was. We lose about half the kids each year. I spoke with a couple acquaintances in other parts of the country involved professionally that shared with me they have roughly the same dropout rate.

Has anyone had any luck improving those numbers? If so how?

From what I’ve heard, many feel it’s because the parents aren’t doing their part and efforts to involve them haven’t been successful. Has anyone had success in that area? It seems to me that, as independent and rebellious as teens are, we should be able to capture the hearts of more kids than that even if their parents aren’t supportive.

I refuse to believe this is the best we can do. At those numbers, together with the stats I’ve read about Catholics drifting away at college at a rate of 80% (yes I know many revert after) that means that 40 kids entering religious ed in HS > 5 entering college > 1 entering adulthood as faithful Catholics.

I’m aware of many parishes that have been successful with YDisciple

You can learn about YDisciple here: ydisciple.org/

And you can buy it with other programs via FORMED.org

You can also demo it on FORMED.org

demo login: demo@formed.org
demo password (good until end of Dec): yearofmercy

God Bless!
Phil

 

[Blessedwithfive]

I like chosen. It is made by LifeTeen.

What year do you confirm?

I agree the numbers dismal. Of the adults that do continue as practicing Catholics, few of them decide to marry in the church, so I don’t see it getting better.

 

[pullitr]

I direct faith formation at our parish and am responsible for all catechetical ministry that takes place at all ages. I’m extremely familiar with the drop-out rate and I am going to go totally AWOL here lol.

Really, you can buy, use, package, etc. any amount of programs. What young people need are mentors that actually care. I think the model and experiment of “youth group” is dead. I think the new model we should work towards is the small group RCIA model where young people are mentored into their faith.

Why doesn’t “youth Group” work? In our parishes case, it means competing for the most entertaining sessions so that kids bring their friends. It means suggesting therefore that Liturgy ought to be entertaining. Furthermore when they leave “youth Group” age, where do they go next? Is there “adult group”?

There is no glove that fits all parishes because each community is unique each community has different needs. Youth Ministry will look different at each parish but the principle is always the same, mentoring discipleship.

So what does it look like at our parish? Granted we are in the process of adapting (which will always be ongoing). We offer K-12 faith formation activities as the traditional Religious Ed classes. For the upper grades ( We confirm in 10th grade so I’m talking about 11th & 12th) it looks more like bible study for the younger grades we use the typical youth catechisms produced by Loyola Press. We host social events at bowling alleys or painting classes or theme parks, we have Highschool / Middleschool nights in which all the Highschoolers / Middleschoolers get together and we cover a topic they want to hear more about or be discipled over (they break into mini groups after the main sessions to process and discuss with their mentor). The other thing to know is that we have a fairly small parish anyway so when our young people get together it’s already a smaller group. Obviously my biggest struggle is finding adults willing to mentor young people. If I had an adult for each youth I’d go bananas but even having enough for small groups is tough.

If there was ever a poverty to be pointed out I’d say it was a lack of willingness to disciple on the part of Catholics at large. The tendency is to show up at Mass on Sunday and check out the rest of the week. To combat that I offer actually more adult programs than youth, building relationships with adults and building adults up towards giving back to the community possibly through mentor-ship if they are called.

That being said changing parish programs is like turning the titanic around, because you’re dealing with public perspective and depending upon the community you live in when you say youth ministry many people have many different interpretations as well as expectations. Is it really a realistic expectation that a single person named “Youth Minister” will relate to all children in a community, be their best friend, and have a personal relationship with all the young people, oh yeah and leave them with all that is essential to know in the Catholic faith no not in the slightest. My job by the grace of God is actually to form the community into a discipling community, one that understands it’s youth and invests in them so that young people feel welcome in their own church, who take part in the Liturgy as one community, and of course imparting or handing on the essentials of the Catholic faith as well.

Think about how many young people you can get really close to, to where they could be honest about their faith and really have that real connection, that’s the number of kids per mentor and it’s different for each. This isn’t just a matter of warm bodies but mentors who are sold out for Jesus and excited about mentoring and will invest the time in a young person or a small group of young people. This is a big psychological change and it’s not easy to do. But each step moves toward that goal so we have a continual work in progress.

 

[1ke]

It’s because faith is a relationship with God and they’ve neither seen it modeled nor explained nor lived in their own households.

Religious education is just more school, more head knowledge. And, Faith is heart knowledge. You aren’t going to do in an hour what their parents haven’t done in 16 years.

 

[pullitr]

It’s because faith is a relationship with God and they’ve neither seen it modeled nor explained nor lived in their own households.

Religious education is just more school, more head knowledge. And, Faith is heart knowledge. You aren’t going to do in an hour what their parents haven’t done in 16 years.

I agree totally to a point! The reality is that the institution of the family isn’t what it was in the 50’s and 60’s most families are split with a multi-faith home if they even have two parents at all. Much less to consider, mom or dad may have a significant other who comes in and changes the home in a variety of ways for a temporary time. Which means as the General Directory for Catechesis has predicted, the RCIA model for discipleship is the premiere model of catechesis (i.e. instruction in the faith). The model in which mentoring relationships take place. Of course the ideal situation is that mother and father lead in example and teach the faith at home, but in the absence of that we are still responsible as catechists.

I can’t tell you how many broken homes I have seen and what that does in the faith of those involved. It can’t be swept under the rug because it’s a domino effect, mom & dad got a divorce, met someone else didn’t get an annulment and went to another Church to get married, now they live in a multi-faith home and Johnny is confused to say the least but one parent wants them to get their sacraments. To top it off mom and dad don’t bring religion up because it’s just draining to “un-box” everything in the past dredging up all those pains and crosses. I’m not saying whats right or wrong it just is.

 

[pianistclare]

We confirm in 10th grade. That forces kids to come.
However…
They KNOW we care about them.
They KNOW we will tell them the truth.
They KNOW they can come to us with anything.
They KNOW there are no dumb questions.
They KNOW we can laugh at ourselves.
They KNOW we are convicted in what we believe.
We use LifeTeen and add in our own fun stuff.
Sunday night were doing a modern version of Las Posadas that I wrote, and we’re having salted caramel hot chocolate and wrapping gifts fro the St. Vincent DePaul families.
They wear their tees to everything. They sign up for community service like crazy.
Nice people. Really nice. I love them.

We never lose a kid.
The program grows every year. We’re up to 83 kids. It’s small parish.
If you don’t switch up the lesson every 15 mins. or so, have them read out of a book, or don’t have small group discussion…yeah. They’ll bolt.

We do get kids like 1ke describes. They’re a hard nut to crack. But if the leadership is good, even those will come around. Nice when they do. Sometimes their parents come around with them. Even better.

Don’t give up.

 

[frangiuliano115]

We confirm in 10th grade. That forces kids to come.
However…
They KNOW we care about them.
They KNOW we will tell them the truth.
They KNOW they can come to us with anything.
They KNOW there are no dumb questions.
They KNOW we can laugh at ourselves.
They KNOW we are convicted in what we believe.
We use LifeTeen and add in our own fun stuff.
Sunday night were doing a modern version of Las Posadas that I wrote, and we’re having salted caramel hot chocolate and wrapping gifts fro the St. Vincent DePaul families.
They wear their tees to everything. They sign up for community service like crazy.
Nice people. Really nice. I love them.

We never lose a kid.
The program grows every year. We’re up to 83 kids. It’s small parish.
If you don’t switch up the lesson every 15 mins. or so, have them read out of a book, or don’t have small group discussion…yeah. They’ll bolt.

We do get kids like 1ke describes. They’re a hard nut to crack. But if the leadership is good, even those will come around. Nice when they do. Sometimes their parents come around with them. Even better.

Don’t give up.

I’m not involved anymore - since last year. Just a small bible study (parish sanctioned) in my home. Very few of us. What else is new? For adults. It’s great. They listen!!

50%. I wish we had 50%. In my parish we used the group idea. It doesn’t work. I agree with Pillitr. But the going is slow. It’s not being replaced even though priest and all of us knew it wasn’t working.

it’s great that you’re having success. Many reasons for the drop out rate - it’s complicated. No confirmation at home of what they’re being taught must be the primary reason AFAIC. But who can know. Little atheists at 10/11 years old!

I agree that it should be more of an RCIA format. These kids do not know their faith. I was told it’s not a school! Well, my kids learned a lot - what did they show up for anyway? They can only understand their faith when they’re a little older. Then the parents complain that it goes on forever and what a hardship it is. But not to get them to swimming or dancing or soccer or whatever.

Well, let’s keep the faith. There will always be a remnant!

Fran

 

[pianistclare]

I’m not involved anymore - since last year. Just a small bible study (parish sanctioned) in my home. Very few of us. What else is new? For adults. It’s great. They listen!!

50%. I wish we had 50%. In my parish we used the group idea. It doesn’t work. I agree with Pillitr. But the going is slow. It’s not being replaced even though priest and all of us knew it wasn’t working.

it’s great that you’re having success. Many reasons for the drop out rate - it’s complicated. No confirmation at home of what they’re being taught must be the primary reason AFAIC. But who can know. Little atheists at 10/11 years old!

I agree that it should be more of an RCIA format. These kids do not know their faith. I was told it’s not a school! Well, my kids learned a lot - what did they show up for anyway? They can only understand their faith when they’re a little older. Then the parents complain that it goes on forever and what a hardship it is. But not to get them to swimming or dancing or soccer or whatever.

Well, let’s keep the faith. There will always be a remnant!

Fran

The kids already ARE a group.
Teens need structure.
A real plan, You can’t wing it.

 

[frangiuliano115]

The kids already ARE a group.
Teens need structure.
A real plan, You can’t wing it.

Amen to that!

Of course they’re a group already! And what about we catechists who are good at teaching but may not be so good at creating these “groups?”

My kids used to see each other at school and at the weekend. What more group than that?

Then we complain that adults don’t know their faith!

At least here on CAF people have studied and know what they think and what the church teaches. Sometimes I may not agree because of some small nuance, but at least everyone is intelligent about catholicism. It’s encouraging to me.

Have a good day
Fran

 

[pianistclare]

Amen to that!

Of course they’re a group already! And what about we catechists who are good at teaching but may not be so good at creating these “groups?”

My kids used to see each other at school and at the weekend. What more group than that?

Then we complain that adults don’t know their faith!

At least here on CAF people have studied and know what they think and what the church teaches. Sometimes I may not agree because of some small nuance, but at least everyone is intelligent about catholicism. It’s encouraging to me.

Have a good day
Fran

To you as well.

 

[pullitr]

I’ve given some careful thought to what I said earlier. It’s important to know I find programs like Lifeteen helpful because again it’s a program that streamlines the process of vetting and forming “Core Team” or the adults that work with and mentor youth.

I agree that “authentic catechesis is always an orderly and systematic initiation into the revelation that God has given of himself to humanity in Christ Jesus” (General Directory for Catechesis (GDC) Par. 66). But that does not mean someone has to follow a “boxed” program in order to be systematic. The best model of catechesis is the model in which the Apostles gave, the model Jesus gave. There is a reason the Catechism is organized in the way it is, it is modeled after how the Apostles taught the faith. “The plan of this catechism is inspired by the great tradition of catechisms which build catechesis on four pillars: the baptismal profession of faith (the Creed), the sacraments of faith, the life of faith (the Commandments), and the prayer of the believer (the Lord’s Prayer).” (Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) Par. 13).

I personally think that catechesis in the form of youth ministry, Bible study, adult catechesis, however it’s inculturated; should be adapted specifically for each faith community as each has different needs and concerns as well as deficiencies and needs for clarification. Now this can be done with Lifeteen resources (I’ve used them myself in the early days). But the more I learned on how to create more tailored programming the less I leaned on the materials until I frankly wasn’t using much of the materials we were subscribed to.

It’s important to remember as well, statistically speaking that the most influential people in a young persons life is their parents (against popular belief). This doesn’t mean that parents are respected or always listened to, it just means the locus of influence is strongest at home. This means that when ever we consider a young person we must consider the whole family. I’m not saying that Lifeteen doesn’t do this, but I’m merely suggesting that moving above and beyond a “youth group” mentality recognizes the reality that we must minister to the whole of the young persons family not just the young person. To say that they are “already a group” is a kind of misnomer, our job as catechists is to expand their experiences and knowledge, to initiate them into the fullness of the community which means intergenerational involvement. Which brings me to one of my biggest concerns, specialized Liturgies.

I think it is great at conferences and other special events to have a specialized Liturgy for teens. But I think on the whole it is a dis-service to the Liturgy as well as to young people and the community in particular to have age specific Liturgies. It is important to recognize and voice the culture of different groups in the Church, the young church is one of them. But in the local setting, Holy Mass is the melding of many cultures into one community. What this may look like is many groups represented coming together to piece together a liturgy. So perhaps different Mass times experience different expressions of worship during Liturgy (particularly in relation to music). But I think ultimately all groups should be represented at each Liturgy in some way as it’s in “Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others” (Rom 12:5).

I also can’t express the value of catechists professional or volunteer working with original materials (i.e. Catechism of the Catholic Church, General Directory for Catechesis, National Directory for Catechesis, Church Documents, Bible, etc.). On the flip side it means that whoever is in the drivers seat or directing programs really needs to know their stuff and where to go and how to form adult volunteers.

I’m of course not saying that Lifeteen is wrong or unsuccessful. Far from it! But I don’t think that it’s the “fix-all” some make it out to be because what works really well for one parish may not for another as each has their own needs. Anything that brings people into greater conformity with Christ is to be lauded! It also means having the responsibility to examine and understand the limitations of each program “boxed” or not. My only assertion is that each generation has different needs and thus a different approach, that these programs must be tailored; that is the job of the catechist to inculturate the Gospel for those they are teaching, preaching, and handing on the faith to.

 

[frangiuliano115]

I’ve given some careful thought to what I said earlier. It’s important to know I find programs like Lifeteen helpful because again it’s a program that streamlines the process of vetting and forming “Core Team” or the adults that work with and mentor youth.

I agree that “authentic catechesis is always an orderly and systematic initiation into the revelation that God has given of himself to humanity in Christ Jesus” (General Directory for Catechesis (GDC) Par. 66). But that does not mean someone has to follow a “boxed” program in order to be systematic. The best model of catechesis is the model in which the Apostles gave, the model Jesus gave. There is a reason the Catechism is organized in the way it is, it is modeled after how the Apostles taught the faith. “The plan of this catechism is inspired by the great tradition of catechisms which build catechesis on four pillars: the baptismal profession of faith (the Creed), the sacraments of faith, the life of faith (the Commandments), and the prayer of the believer (the Lord’s Prayer).” (Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) Par. 13).

I personally think that catechesis in the form of youth ministry, Bible study, adult catechesis, however it’s inculturated; should be adapted specifically for each faith community as each has different needs and concerns as well as deficiencies and needs for clarification. Now this can be done with Lifeteen resources (I’ve used them myself in the early days). But the more I learned on how to create more tailored programming the less I leaned on the materials until I frankly wasn’t using much of the materials we were subscribed to.

It’s important to remember as well, statistically speaking that the most influential people in a young persons life is their parents (against popular belief). This doesn’t mean that parents are respected or always listened to, it just means the locus of influence is strongest at home. This means that when ever we consider a young person we must consider the whole family. I’m not saying that Lifeteen doesn’t do this, but I’m merely suggesting that moving above and beyond a “youth group” mentality recognizes the reality that we must minister to the whole of the young persons family not just the young person. To say that they are “already a group” is a kind of misnomer, our job as catechists is to expand their experiences and knowledge, to initiate them into the fullness of the community which means intergenerational involvement. Which brings me to one of my biggest concerns, specialized Liturgies.

I think it is great at conferences and other special events to have a specialized Liturgy for teens. But I think on the whole it is a dis-service to the Liturgy as well as to young people and the community in particular to have age specific Liturgies. It is important to recognize and voice the culture of different groups in the Church, the young church is one of them. But in the local setting, Holy Mass is the melding of many cultures into one community. What this may look like is many groups represented coming together to piece together a liturgy. So perhaps different Mass times experience different expressions of worship during Liturgy (particularly in relation to music). But I think ultimately all groups should be represented at each Liturgy in some way as it’s in “Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others” (Rom 12:5).

I also can’t express the value of catechists professional or volunteer working with original materials (i.e. Catechism of the Catholic Church, General Directory for Catechesis, National Directory for Catechesis, Church Documents, Bible, etc.). On the flip side it means that whoever is in the drivers seat or directing programs really needs to know their stuff and where to go and how to form adult volunteers.

I’m of course not saying that Lifeteen is wrong or unsuccessful. Far from it! But I don’t think that it’s the “fix-all” some make it out to be because what works really well for one parish may not for another as each has their own needs. Anything that brings people into greater conformity with Christ is to be lauded! It also means having the responsibility to examine and understand the limitations of each program “boxed” or not. My only assertion is that each generation has different needs and thus a different approach, that these programs must be tailored; that is the job of the catechist to inculturate the Gospel for those they are teaching, preaching, and handing on the faith to.

We all here believe that parents are the number 1 catechist. No doubt about that. Unfortunately, they don’t all own up to the job.

I have mixed feelings about age specific liturgies. I can’t really make up my mind but I lean toward favoring them. For all the usual reasons.

Other than that, all you say is 100%!

Fran

 

[1990Domer]

It’s because faith is a relationship with God and they’ve neither seen it modeled nor explained nor lived in their own households.

Religious education is just more school, more head knowledge. And, Faith is heart knowledge. You aren’t going to do in an hour what their parents haven’t done in 16 years.

This I really agree with. We just became involved in Life Teen. For the 6-8 graders, we use the Life Teen Edge program. 9-12 is the regular Life Teen program and then for slightly older Catholics, there is Theology on Tap (I don’t think beer is a requirement).

I am now seeing why my son’s classmates lacked compassion for his invisible disability. It was because it needed to be taught at home along with the rest of our faith. The few kids in the other grades that were nice to him also attend weekly and Holy Day masses. However, I am saddened by the current trends. There needs to be a turnaround…quickly!

 

[frangiuliano115]

This I really agree with. We just became involved in Life Teen. For the 6-8 graders, we use the Life Teen Edge program. 9-12 is the regular Life Teen program and then for slightly older Catholics, there is Theology on Tap (I don’t think beer is a requirement).

I am now seeing why my son’s classmates lacked compassion for his invisible disability. It was because it needed to be taught at home along with the rest of our faith. The few kids in the other grades that were nice to him also attend weekly and Holy Day masses. However, I am saddened by the current trends. There needs to be a turnaround…quickly!

As 1ke perfectly stated, catechism is not supposed to be a religion class. Anybody can teach religion (knowing about God) but not everyone can teach a catechism class (knowing God).

Same as above with my granddaughter. The kids who treated her the best were the ones who were taught compassion at home. Parents have kids all the time - catechists get them for one hour per week.

Adults need to be catechized too! One parish near me forces them to attend a class one Sunday morning a month and then Mass. Some go happily and some really resent it. it’s a shame.

Fran

 

[1990Domer]

As 1ke perfectly stated, catechism is not supposed to be a religion class. Anybody can teach religion (knowing about God) but not everyone can teach a catechism class (knowing God).

Same as above with my granddaughter. The kids who treated her the best were the ones who were taught compassion at home. Parents have kids all the time - catechists get them for one hour per week.

Adults need to be catechized too! One parish near me forces them to attend a class one Sunday morning a month and then Mass. Some go happily and some really resent it. it’s a shame.

Fran

I totally agree. My pastor asked me what I felt was the true problem with the attitude of the of the kids at our Catholic school (very poorly disciplined and self-absorbed). I told him I felt it had to do with the poor mass attendance of the parents and the fact that the kids didn’t get a lot of quality parenting–two parents working, broken homes, no Mass attendance. The pastor instituted Mass practice for the kids so they would know what to do doing first Friday Mass!

Adults do need to be catechized too. It’s a shame that those who attend adult faith formation seem to be the ones you always see in church on Sunday.

 

[frangiuliano115]

I totally agree. My pastor asked me what I felt was the true problem with the attitude of the of the kids at our Catholic school (very poorly disciplined and self-absorbed). I told him I felt it had to do with the poor mass attendance of the parents and the fact that the kids didn’t get a lot of quality parenting–two parents working, broken homes, no Mass attendance. The pastor instituted Mass practice for the kids so they would know what to do doing first Friday Mass!

Adults do need to be catechized too. It’s a shame that those who attend adult faith formation seem to be the ones you always see in church on Sunday.

You know what they say:
It’s always the same ones who show up!
We’re always preaching to the choir…

And you’re involved with a CATHOLIC SCHOOL! Imagine kids that go to public!
The world has permeated all…

I like the First Friday Mass attendance idea. Kids need something to grasp onto, see, remember. Sometimes I’d take my kids to adoration. There was a priest here who would do a special one sometimes - in the afternoon. He’s gone to a different parish now and I had to stop catechism last year, but I hope this new priest reinstitutes this practice.

Kids, and parents, see a lot of the secular world and very little of the church world.

Let’s do our best - and thanks for your work. We catechists are not appreciated enough!! Let’s pat ourselves on the back every now and then! (well, not me anymore).

A joyous Christmas
Fran