Youth Ministry

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srferdave

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I have just joined the PPC at my Church. Our area of focus at this time is youth ministry (specifically ages 16-25 - after confirmation). Does anyone here have ideas of what works (or doesn’t work) as far as getting the youth interested in being apart of youth ministry? Are there types of events, groups, or meetings/classes/formation that work well?

Also, it would be great if anyone had references to other websites that are useful in this area.

Thanks
 
Well, not calling it youth ministry woud be the first step in attracting those 18+. And, you should separate those in high school from those 18+ and should not conduct events that mix those age groups.

There is a huge difference between a 16 year old and a 25 year old and having those under 18 mix with those over 18 who have not had background checks or safe environment training would be problematic in light of the charter for the protection of young people. You need to follow diocesan guidelines.

Youth Ministry typically focuses on grades 6-12, with junior high and high schoolers separated.

College age of about 18-20 or 18-21 should be another group, and finally 21-25 would be another. This would fall under the heading of Young Adult Ministry. Typically those in college are served by a Newman Center.

What does PPC stand for? I am not familiar with that abbreviation.
 
As someone in their mid-20s, I suggest not doing anything corny, lame or watered down, or trying to have things like youth Masses. The current trend I’m seeing with the new priests who are the same age as me and working with the youth and young adults is they’re finding success by combining stuff that’s really Catholic (Ie: Benediction with Adoration, Vespers, etc) combined with a fun activity (ie: going out for supper, bowling, etc), and/or a talk/discussion by/with a good and holy priest about real issues that matter to them that are going on in their lives. Right now is a very difficult time to be a young Catholic, yet we seem to get forgotten about…often. You have to get a a good and holy priest who is serious about being a priest involved with this. Young people don’t want to talk or discuss serious matters with a lay person. They want a priest.
 
The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston has a very well developed Young Adult ministry.

That is not the same thing as 11th and 12th grade religious education. There are great high school textbooks and bible studies that your diocese should be able to provide guidance on.
 
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