Youth Groups

[Chex]

I don’t know about the rest of the world, but here in Southern California, the program provided for Catholic youths is sort of… well its heart is in the right place, but it just doesn’t do much for true spirituality. Sure, we sing songs and chat about life, but no one is willing to go any deeper than that.

In comparing Catholic youth programs to, say Mormons ones, I am thouroughly ashamed. I am the only Catholic at my school (as far as I know) who reads up on contraversial intra-Christianity issues. With the growing number of converts to Mormonism, I think it is clear that better educating Catholic youth is necessary. Mormons enter their mission at age 19 armed with scriptures memorized and debate topics ready. This website provides all the answers necessary to counter such claims, but very few young, or even older, Catholics look into it.

In essence, I suggest emulating the Mormon church in its youth programs and excellent knowledge of scripture required of all their young. It would be for the betterment of the religion if people’s understanding of its doctrine was larger than trendy songs in church and knowledge of the Lord’s Prayer. The Catholics I know are all quite wishy-washy in terms compared to the Mormons I know, and I think that such a thing is a problem.

Does anyone else share my views or have suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[CheesusPowerKid]

Chex:

I don’t know about the rest of the world, but here in Southern California, the program provided for Catholic youths is sort of… well its heart is in the right place, but it just doesn’t do much for true spirituality. Sure, we sing songs and chat about life, but no one is willing to go any deeper than that.

In comparing Catholic youth programs to, say Mormons ones, I am thouroughly ashamed. I am the only Catholic at my school (as far as I know) who reads up on contraversial intra-Christianity issues. With the growing number of converts to Mormonism, I think it is clear that better educating Catholic youth is necessary. Mormons enter their mission at age 19 armed with scriptures memorized and debate topics ready. This website provides all the answers necessary to counter such claims, but very few young, or even older, Catholics look into it.

In essence, I suggest emulating the Mormon church in its youth programs and excellent knowledge of scripture required of all their young. It would be for the betterment of the religion if people’s understanding of its doctrine was larger than trendy songs in church and knowledge of the Lord’s Prayer. The Catholics I know are all quite wishy-washy in terms compared to the Mormons I know, and I think that such a thing is a problem.

Does anyone else share my views or have suggestions?

Thanks!

I agree that our youth ministries are very substandard…I know so many Catholics who know almost nothing about their faith, and it drives me crazy. I think that we do need to start really educating ourselves and other Catholic teens because without truly knowing Catholic doctrine, there is no way to be able to defend your faith, to know when something someone is hitting you with is the Truth or a lie…I can only say now to educate yourself and try to spread that knowledge and enthusiam among other teens, getting them as involved in Church doctrine, dogma, and teachings as possible so that, when the time comes, they can defend their faith and know truly what they believe and what they don’t believe.

 

[stbruno]

As a youth minister, I am with you and here in the midwest, we have lots of opportunities for young people who want more than just social time, sports or occasional service or fund raising opportunities. Perhaps you can contact your diocesan youth ministry coordinator and see if there is some way you can explore your faith more. I guarantee you that you may be suprised that are leadership opportunities for youth available, peer ministry, bible study, ministerial training and even social justice & volunteer opportunities for you within your diocese. If you are feeling that void in your parish youth group…look just a little further…and pray and pray some more. I think God is yanking on your chain to do just that. Have a blessed Advent.

 

[Alison]

I am also a Youth minister and I’ve noticed that the problem is not primarily in the youth but that a lot of the faith begins with the parents. Our youth group consists of children of fervent catholics and those of not so fervent ones but the kids who have faithful parents are the ones who always show up and love the spirtual aspect of our youth group. It’s a great suggestion that we should emulate how the Mormon kids are with scripture and stuff and it starts with the parents. In any case, this is possible with an increased prayer life. Try telling your youth the different types of prayer that exist and maybe at every youth meeting discuss about a Saint…Or even better, send in someone who is able to discuss Catholic doctrine in an apologetics way…this often gets the youth thinking…We tried it within our circle…boy was it fun! They really get to know about their faith if they first dispute what they don’t know!

 

[Chex]

stbruno:

As a youth minister, I am with you and here in the midwest, we have lots of opportunities for young people who want more than just social time, sports or occasional service or fund raising opportunities. Perhaps you can contact your diocesan youth ministry coordinator and see if there is some way you can explore your faith more. I guarantee you that you may be suprised that are leadership opportunities for youth available, peer ministry, bible study, ministerial training and even social justice & volunteer opportunities for you within your diocese. If you are feeling that void in your parish youth group…look just a little further…and pray and pray some more. I think God is yanking on your chain to do just that. Have a blessed Advent.

My youth group DOES offer certain scriptural services, such as “Scripture Hikes” and “Jesus and Java”. However, these are extremely wishy-washy and aimed at the audience of those who really have no interest at all in Bible study. They are so sugar-coated in order to appeal to the teen who still thinks the Bible isn’t “cool” that actual apologetics doesn’t even gget a chance to come out.

In addition, I DID in fact ask my Youth Minister if we had a class for budding apoligists, and he said, “What?” I then had to explain to him what exactly an apoligist is.

 

[stbruno]

Then go one step further, and check with the diocesan youth director. Most dioceses have one. nfcym.org/catholicym/index.htm
This is a national organization that offers amazing opportunities for youth as well. In the past few weeks, over 22,000 teens from across the states met in Atlanta GA for a National Catholic Youth Conference. Don’t give up! I think you are headed in the right direction here.

By the way, this organization is an offshoot of the US Catholic Council of Bishops.

 

[Chex]

Alison:

I am also a Youth minister and I’ve noticed that the problem is not primarily in the youth but that a lot of the faith begins with the parents. Our youth group consists of children of fervent catholics and those of not so fervent ones but the kids who have faithful parents are the ones who always show up and love the spirtual aspect of our youth group. It’s a great suggestion that we should emulate how the Mormon kids are with scripture and stuff and it starts with the parents. In any case, this is possible with an increased prayer life. Try telling your youth the different types of prayer that exist and maybe at every youth meeting discuss about a Saint…Or even better, send in someone who is able to discuss Catholic doctrine in an apologetics way…this often gets the youth thinking…We tried it within our circle…boy was it fun! They really get to know about their faith if they first dispute what they don’t know!

(cont)

Sorry, but I’m inclined to disagree about this one. My parents know very little about the Catholic faith themselves, have never been challenged to a theological debate, never read the Bible, and I doubt THEY know what an apologist is either. But here I am, printing out articles from this site, bringing them to school, reading them, and then using my knowledge to defend my faith against fundamentalists and Mormons. (I’m not saying that my parents’ hearts aren’t in the right place. They just aren’t very theologically educated )

So I think that the kid has to take the initiative. I have, and this is how far I’ve gotten. But I want to go farther, and there’s only so far one can go with a website, ya know? :ehh:

Sorry, I know I’m a bit tough to please here, but I want more than what my youth group is offering. I’ve been sent on every single one of the leadership and faith conferences, even the ones which a parish can only send a limited amount of people to, and I just can’t seem to find satisfaction. They all seem to repeat the same thing, and is not geared at all toward someone looking to defend his/her faith, but rather, they seem to be for those who have yet to adequately comprehend their own faith.

And sorry if I’ve come off as a bit cocky or arrogant. I’m not trying to, but I’m aware that it may sound that way.

 

[Chex]

stbruno:

Then go one step further, and check with the diocesan youth director. Most dioceses have one. nfcym.org/catholicym/index.htm
This is a national organization that offers amazing opportunities for youth as well. In the past few weeks, over 22,000 teens from across the states met in Atlanta GA for a National Catholic Youth Conference. Don’t give up! I think you are headed in the right direction here.

By the way, this organization is an offshoot of the US Catholic Council of Bishops.

ok, i’ll check it out. Thanks!

 

[Alison]

Lol Chex no you don’t sound cocky. Thanks for the (name removed by moderator)ut. I completely Agree! How much fruitful is the person who takes their own initiative! My parents are the same way–how you say “theologically uneducated” most of the initiative I have taken is by way of how much God has helped me not truly by what my parents established. But all I’m saying is that if we expect fervent youth who think they are joining a youth group simply to have fun and no spiritual direction, the parents are most probably not influencing them in the right direction. I think you will agree that if they join using their own initiative then they will be more fruitful within the youth group (wait hold-on I think that was your point). However, we have youth within the youth group who not only joined to have fun but also have parents who are fervent Catholics; these youth are very eager about their faith. It’s I suppose all about intentions. I suggest that if you have some free time, find a speaker capable of apologetics and invite him to your youth circles. To be honest I don’t really know what my point is and I think we agree anyway. In any case, God love you Chex.

Oh and have any of you youth or youth ministers been to Steubenville? Will you guys be going this year?

 

[Chex]

Alison:

Lol Chex no you don’t sound cocky. Thanks for the (name removed by moderator)ut. I completely Agree! How much fruitful is the person who takes their own initiative! My parents are the same way–how you say “theologically uneducated” most of the initiative I have taken is by way of how much God has helped me not truly by what my parents established. But all I’m saying is that if we expect fervent youth who think they are joining a youth group simply to have fun and no spiritual direction, the parents are most probably not influencing them in the right direction. I think you will agree that if they join using their own initiative then they will be more fruitful within the youth group (wait hold-on I think that was your point). However, we have youth within the youth group who not only joined to have fun but also have parents who are fervent Catholics; these youth are very eager about their faith. It’s I suppose all about intentions. I suggest that if you have some free time, find a speaker capable of apologetics and invite him to your youth circles. To be honest I don’t really know what my point is and I think we agree anyway. In any case, God love you Chex.

Oh and have any of you youth or youth ministers been to Steubenville? Will you guys be going this year?

Thanks Alison I’ll try to do that.

We manage to go to Steubenville EVERY year, fortunately (practically the entire youth group). It’s a wonderful experience. But I may add that they need an apoligetics talk in addition to all the other great stuff they do That would make the trip all the more worthwhile for me at least

 

[Alison]

I have to agree Steubenville was really enjoyable. Chex you may have seen our group this summer. We were the (only?) Canadian group there. The “Precious Blood Youth” were our T-Shirts…which group were you guys?

 

[Chex]

Alison:

I have to agree Steubenville was really enjoyable. Chex you may have seen our group this summer. We were the (only?) Canadian group there. The “Precious Blood Youth” were our T-Shirts…which group were you guys?

I think we went to different conferences. Did you go to the one in San Diego?

 

[CheesusPowerKid]

Chex:

I think we went to different conferences. Did you go to the one in San Diego?

I’m part of the Stuebenville of the Rockies conferences, so it’s nice because it right in my “backyard”, so it’s a lot easier for kids from my parish to go.

Has anyone been on a TEC (Teens Encounter Christ) retreat? Oh man, if you need a spiritual wake-up call, wow. They’re so different from Stuebenville, but just as powerful, if not more… I’m a conference junkie, actually, I’m a Catholic junkie, I definitely wish there were more opportunities for the youth in my area to get into Christ in profound ways, but I’ll take what I’ve been blessed with