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| For Youth Ministers |
| The job of a YM is ever changing and growing in the Church. Many times, you are the single advocate for high school ministry. Other times, you are a manager of a team of eager volunteers & musicians. Regardless of your situatation, we want to help! | |
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| Note to Self | | By Todd Lemieux, Blogger | | 12/10/2009 | Do you have a note to yourself?
Every time I start to lose perspective, I use Twitter and send this little note out to myself.
Note to self: pray more, love wife and family more, love people and use things, don't eat crap, the law of the gift, work don't waste
For me it is enough of a kick in the tail to keep me on track for what I am doing at that moment. The order of the parts of the note are deliberately set for me to keep my perspective in focus and to keep me from going crazy looking at the big picture. There have been some real benefits to this, and I wanted to share them.
As with all things, if this works for you, then great, if not, then chuck it.
Pray more. I often forget this more than I remember it. It is the first thing that I should be remembering most of the time. Especially this time of year when things get crazy with purchasing and decorating and all the pressure that comes with providing your family with the memories that they are "supposed" to have.
Pray more. It's a simply notion that drives me to my knees in reverence. Most times when I get impatient or angry it is because I have lost perspective. This helps me to get that perspective back again.
Love the wife and family more. I think this is a curse, but my brain never shuts off. Ever. This means that I work at a furious pace a lot of the time. I actually have to work to relax. I don't know what that means or if you can relate, but if you have ever had the experience of creatively brainstorming, then you know what it is like in my head.
The only problem is that I am creatively brainstorming all the time. I'm addicted to the idea of thinking outside the box, of doing things different, of perhaps taking something that is working in one place an applying it somewhere else. The issue is that when my daughter wants me to simply have the fourth tea party of the morning, it actually causes me anxiety to sit and just "be" with her.
This is where love comes in. To make the deliberate choice for the good of the other person which means to put aside my own selfish needs, wants, and desires... especially that desire to work. This reminds me that they are the priority. That my time with them is more important than the time I spend working to get things for them.
Love people and use things. I'm a technophile so I am addicted to new technology. So the computer, the game system... I sometimes love them. This statement reminds me that I have to put the priority on people. As nice as the website, email, voicemail, and texting are, I am most rewarded when I can sit with someone and actually work with them. Actually pray with them. Listen, process, pray, and then see the lightbulb go off in their head when they start to re-prioritize their life and realize that holiness is something that God wants for them right now.
The crazy thing (and this is why I am crazy) is that too many times I choose to spend time with things rather than people, even though I am fed in my soul by working with people. This note reminds me to be less crazy. I said less crazy. I've resigned myself to the fact that I will always be a little crazy.
Don't eat crap. This is such an easy formula it is a wonder that I forget it. You are what you eat. That means when I consume the Eucharist, I receive the very life of Christ. This means when I eat that double Whopper with cheese covered in fried nacho cheese with a Diet Coke, at the end of the day I am going to be grumpy, bloated, impatient, greasy, and intolerable.
I don't want to be crap. I should stop eating crap. I have a definite weakness for overeating so this is a big deal for me. Maybe not so much for you.
The law of the gift. Essentially this means that we only find ourselves when we are willing to give ourselves away. This means to be a servant. To be a footwasher. To take even those that society considers lepers, the underdogs, and to embrace them, give them a fighting chance. It is to be completely unselfish.
A friend of mine is great at this because they look everyone in the eyes and learn their names. This essentially is a gift of dignity. We can learn a lot from these simple acts and if I remind myself that I am meant to be a gift to the people around me, I better make sure I'm not the type of gift they want to send back!
Work, don't waste. We all have a life and we all have a limited amount of time. When you are given the time to work, it's time to work. Waste is waste is waste. I actually have this theory that we don't need to work much more than 8-10 hours a week. That's because we only work that much anyway, we just happen to be around for 40 hours to make it look like we are working.
I know in your head right now you are thinking, "He doesn't know my job... I work x number of hours every week!"
Take away every moment that is not dedicated to work that directly relates to what you are doing. I'll bet you, like me, spend a lot of time doing things that don't directly contribute. This goes for the home life too. Relationships, families, take work. Don't waste the time that you have with them.
So go ahead... make a note to yourself. Post it for the world to see on something like Twitter or Facebook. Post it every time you see yourself not living up to the goal of awesome holiness that you have set for yourself. Post it every time you feel lazy, or you feel like you are not living life.
Even if that note is to make a note.
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| Advent K.I.S.S. | | By Lisa Fahey, Life Teen Area Contact | | 12/1/2009 | As we are entering into the beginning of the church year with Advent, I was reflecting on ways to truly prepare the Way and not get caught up in the worldly frenzy. Somehow, “Black Friday” sounds more like a plague rather than the time we should be using to prepare for Advent. Therefore this Advent season, I would like to pass on to you one of the jewels I have learned to live by: KISS - “Keep It Simple Sweetie.”
I would like to offer some tips you can use to keep Advent simple and prepare the way for the Lord this Christmas:
- Prepare the same way you prepare for Easter! We have Lent and the journey to the cross before Easter and Christ’s Resurrection. The same is true for Advent. We should view Advent as the journey of preparation of Christ’s coming. It is a matter of rethinking how we “do” Christmas.
- Prepare the Way! One of the definitions I would like to use for prepare is “get ready”. If we really understand ADVENT, we would do Christmas differently. Advent is getting ready for Christ’s second coming. Last weekend I asked Fr. John Lulu if he had any words of wisdom to write for this article. He simply stated, “Prepare the way, Christ is coming; Prepare the way, Christ is coming; Prepare the way, Christ is coming.” As he was saying this, I felt a rush in my heart that we should get ready with a sense of urgency.
- So how do I get ready with a sense of urgency and remain peaceful? Begin the day with an Advent Devotion. Set some time aside each morning. It only will take as long as you want. Get up before everyone else and set time aside for the Lord. Some great Advent Devotions are The Word Among Us, or The Red Carpet, by Todd Lemieux on his Sainthood Project website.
- Say this short prayer of Mary, "Let it be done to me according to your Word" throughout the day. This idea is from Day 1 of the Sainthood Project. The challenge encourages us to say this prayer of Mary, at the beginning of every transition of the day. Every new meeting, every new event, every time you change your current activity, begins with this prayer. Make it the last thing you say before you go to bed.
- Commit to daily Mass and weekly Confession for the 4 weeks of Advent. How better to prepare our hearts for Christ than encountering Him in the Sacraments!
- Make the nativity set in your home more than just another Christmas decoration. Take time to pray through this sacred scene and allow God to show you something new about this familiar story. Download the nativity reflection at the end of this blog to aid in your prayer.
- Journal the moments of the day that inspired and blessed you. It is a great way to reflect and see how God is preparing your heart for Christ second coming!
Enjoy the Advent journey and get ready for Christ to do some amazing things in your heart and soul!
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| Sacramental Wallflowers: How to Include Parents & Sponsors in Confirmation | | By D. Scott Miller, Youth & Young Adult Ministry, Baltimore, MD | | 11/18/2009 | Consider your Confirmation preparation process to be like a high school dance. There is the bishop right in the middle, attempting to gather up a “line dance” of discipleship. The pastor and the parish staff are all racing around the room attempting to ensure that the environment is conducive for a successful dance. Other caring adults, catechists, and leaders are each attempting to keep the energy and enthusiasm up . . . and there are all those kids, each on the floor with a wide range of knowledge, passion, or lack thereof for this dance of the Spirit.
A wallflower is one who remains on the sidelines of an activity due possibly to shyness or unpopularity. Unfortunately, we can look around many confirmation preparation “dances” and find some sacramental wallflowers tucked away in the dark corners. It is not uncommon that those who are not fully engaged into the rhythm of our efforts are adults – both parents and sponsors.
The Code of Canon Law (890) reminds us that both “Parents and pastors of souls, especially parish priests, are to see that the faithful are properly instructed to receive the sacrament and come to it at the opportune time.” It is beyond time that we go beyond offering programmatic lip service to the reality that parents are the primary catechists of their children. “Nothing replaces family catechesis, especially for its positive and receptive environment, for the example of adults, and for its first explicit experience and practice of the faith.” (National Directory for Catechesis, 202)
The Code of Canon Law (892) further reminds us that the sponsor's function “is to take care that the person confirmed behaves as a true witness of Christ and faithfully fulfils the duties inherent in this sacrament.” Sponsors are called to be companions on the journey dedicated to confirmandi’s personal and spiritual growth. They are both a personal model of lived faith as well as a living face serving on behalf of the larger church.
Yet, when it comes to many parishes’ efforts regarding the preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation, we only ask two things from these adults 1) Show up and 2) Make sure to turn in your paperwork. And then, after the fact, we complain they are so disengaged.
Parents and Sponsors should anticipate three things from us:
- Clear and Consistent Communication – We can often wrongly treat parents and sponsors as consumers in our Confirmation preparation efforts. If we do so, we can anticipate that when they no longer need our Sacramental product, we should not expect to see them or their young people anymore. They need to be consistently informed of both schedule and expectations.
- Training – When we gather with our parents and sponsors, we should train them for beyond the moment of Confirmation. We need to move beyond a “Carpe Diem” approach that only provides them with information related to the immediate needs of the program. A “Carpe Mañana” approach would equip them with skills for their relationships with their young people, the ability to share faith with them, and the importance and value for young people of the personal witness of their lives.
- Prayer - Our personal and communal prayer, when it comes to the Sacrament of Confirmation, naturally turns towards the confirmandi. The sacrament is not only about young people coming towards the Church, but the Church serving the young people. Our prayer intentions should celebrate, in the words of Isaiah (52:7), how beautiful are the feet of those “who brings glad tidings, announcing peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation, and saying to Zion, ‘Your God is King!’”
At a recent diocesan delegation meeting set in advance of our travels to the National Catholic Youth Conference, the Archdiocesan Youth Advisory Council was teaching cheers to the participants. Many parents and advisors were present, but mostly were just wallflowers, looking on as their kids learned hand motions and chants.
At the end of that process, one AYAC member, a young woman named Molly, took it upon herself to challenge the adults in the room. “When you baptized your kids,” she said, “you committed to supporting and encouraging us in your faith. This is one of those moments!” She then asked the young people to go to their adults and re-teach the same cheers to the elders in the community. Throughout the room, pockets of young people and adults formed, each attempting to out-cheer one another.
Renewing the Vision reminded us of Pope John Paul II’s claim that “This is what is needed: a Church for young people, … a Church which will know how to invite and to welcome the person who seeks a purpose for which to commit his whole existence; a Church which is not afraid to require much, after having given much; which does not fear asking from young people the effort of a noble and authentic adventure, such as that of the following of the Gospel.”
If we are going to require much, after having been given much, then we are going to need even more collaborators than we can imagine. Molly was right to look into the lives of young people themselves to find parents and other caring adults as partners in this task. Molly found the wallflowers and invited them to join in the dance. | | |
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| Finding Freedom in the Sacrament of Reconciliation | | By Clay Imoo, Director of YM Office, Diocese of Vancouver | | 11/11/2009 | The Sacrament of Reconciliation.
For many teens, it’s an answer to the question: “What about the Catholic faith do you appreciate?”
It’s also an answer for many teens to the question: “What part of our faith do you not understand or practice?”
Therein lies the beauty and complexity of the Sacrament of Reconciliation; teens can easily name it as one of the seven, yet many of them don’t frequent it regularly for various reasons: i.e. they find it intimidating, they’re not sure what to confess, or they don’t understand why they need to go to a priest instead of directly to God for forgiveness.
In Vancouver, BC, the archdiocesan Youth Ministry Office (YMO) has been holding youth reconciliation events for the past ten years in order to make the sacrament more accessible and less intimidating for youth. The event, called FREEDOM, began in 1999 and has since grown into one of the YMO’s biggest and most powerful events. Since its infancy, FREEDOM has seen close to 5,000 youth and young adult participants gather to experience the healing power of Christ.
At the event, teens are prepared for confession through a dynamic program including skits, music, prayer, testimonies, teachings, and examination of conscience. The Archbishop of Vancouver is almost always present, along with over two dozen priests.
FREEDOM incorporates many elements into its seamless four-hour long program. Like any reconciliation event for youth, its aim is to create an environment where youth are encouraged to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Irrespective of the scope and size of the event (diocesan, school, parish, or retreat), here are seven principles in planning an effective reconciliation event for youth:
- Make the Sacrament non-intimidating (without watering it down). Confession scares many teens (and adults too!). Thus, it’s vital to create a loving and affirming atmosphere and make it a place of trust. For some young people, it’s an issue of ignorance…they simply don’t understand the theology behind the sacrament. Ensure that there is some catechesis for them, and don’t be afraid to have some fun with it. This can be accomplished through light-hearted skits and presentations.
- Create a prayerful environment. To provide a safe and comfortable atmosphere, you can do many things with the environment that will help set the proper tone. Simple decorations, plants, candles, and music (more on music below) will help foster a warm setting, one that will hopefully encourage the youth to receive the sacrament.
- Pay attention to how the confession stations are set up. Explain to the participants that they will have the option of going to confession anonymously or sitting face-to-face with the priest. Each confession station could have three chairs: one for the priest, one facing the priest, and one at a right-angle to the priest (off one of his shoulders). While the priest will obviously remain stationary, teens will have the choice of two chairs to sit in, depending on their comfort level.
- Music is key. Pick appropriate songs and pick a worship leader who understands the flow of what you are trying to accomplish. We begin FREEDOM with 30 minutes of worship music, and then have the worship team provide “background music” throughout the confession time. We have them lead another 20-30 minutes of music at the end of the event before the participants leave.
- Give options for after confession. Plan a few things for teens to do once they’ve gone to confession and completed their penance. We’ve invited prayer teams to pray with participants throughout the evening. As well, we provide light refreshments in another part of the church for some quiet social time. These provide some nice alternatives to those who don’t choose to stay to pray with the music ministry. It’s important to recognize that some teens may not even receive the sacrament, so there needs to be activities for them.
- End in celebration. The send-off is just as important as the gathering time. Once the majority of participants have gone to confession, consider having a youth or young adult share a testimony about the freedom they experienced from receiving the Sacrament. Then, have the music ministry end with a few songs of praise and celebration so the youth go home happy!
- Invite plenty of priests. From a practical standpoint, the more priests that are present, the less time it will take for all participants to go to confession. It is a tremendous witness to the young people to see so many priests coming and supporting them by administering the Sacrament. Do your best to secure RSVPs from the priests, so you know how many confession stations to prepare, give or take a few.
FREEDOM’s impact is not limited to teens and young adults: it affects the participating priests as well. Father James Hughes of St. Ann’s Parish in Abbotsford is a FREEDOM mainstay, and cites the event’s importance and relevance as a main reason for being involved: “It is such an inspirational event. It truly brings joy and fulfillment in my priesthood to be part of such a gathering.” The bottom line is that youth reconciliation events are an excellent way for youth to reconcile themselves with God, with themselves, and with each other. | | |
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| Christmas for Your Core Team | | By Kori Baker, Life Teen Communications Director | | 11/10/2009 | It is that time of year again… lists, shopping, wrapping, trying to figure out the perfect gift for every person in your life. For youth ministers, here’s the million-dollar question: What do you get the most dedicated Core Team on the planet on a youth ministry budget? How do you honor those who give up their Sunday nights, their weekends and their evenings so teens can be led closer to Christ? With your limited time (and even more limited budget), you want to make it a meaningful and useful gift, not just something you found in the back of the youth ministry closet, a re-gifted gift card, or leftover retreat T-shirt (don’t laugh, it has been done). What is a youth minister to do?
If you are searching for some ideas, let Life Teen help you out. The Life Teen store is filled with wonderful gifts to fit any Core Team. Discounts are available for bulk purchases as well. Some suggestions include:
- Core Values book - Give your team this inspirational collection of personal stories and reflection on living our Core values. This book can be used as the basis of a 7-week Core Prayer series.
- Catholic Teen Bible – you can’t go wrong with the Word of God!
- 40 More book – 40 days of prayer and reflection based in Scripture, perfect for the Core Member looking to get into a rhythm of prayer. You could even make this an Advent gift!
- Rocking the Cradle Catholic book – Practical ideas and encouragement for the task of raising children in the faith. Perfect for your Core with young children!
- Life Teen Messenger Bag – a practical and thoughtful gift for the Core Members who are always on the go.
- Life Teen embroidered polo shirts – These classy shirts are perfect for the Core Team who already has plenty of youth group T-shirts!
Honoring your Core Team at Christmastime should not just be limited to a gift. Be creative and involve the teens and parents in thanking this vital part of the ministry. Here are some low-cost, high-affirmation ideas for your Core Team:
- Surprise Appreciation Dinner – turn your next meeting into a surprise celebration that is all about fellowship, food and thanksgiving. Ask parents and teens to fix a meal for your Core Team and decorate your meeting space with notes of appreciation. Make this as simple or as elaborate as you want. Consider inviting the spouses or families of our Core Team – they serve through sacrifice and support and need to be appreciated as well.
- Gift Coupons – Give your Core Members a “night off” coupon, a coffee with the YM coupon, etc.
- Hand Written Notes – Write a note to each Core Member honoring their gifts and thanking them for all they do. They will appreciate the time you took plus the words of affirmation. Invite your teens and parents to write notes as well.
- Prayer Service – Work with your priests, liturgists and music director to have a special prayer service at your next Core Team meeting.
Whatever you do, take a moment this Advent and Christmas season to honor and recognize the entire youth ministry team. Whether they serve on Core Team, serve dinner or clean up the youth room each week, let them know how much their time and service is appreciated. It takes all of us to lead teens closer to Christ.
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| 8 Principles for Multi-Parish YM: Principle 8 Effective Communication | | By John Rinaldo, Director of YM for Diocese of San Jose | | 11/5/2009 | Editors Note: This is John Rinaldo's seventh blog in his series on Multi-Parish Youth Ministry:
1. Multi-Parish Youth Ministry: A Gift and a Challenge
2. Multi-Parish Identity: Healing the Change
3. 8 Principles for Multi-Parish YM, Principle 1
4. 8 Principles for Multi-Parish YM: Principles 2 and 3
5. 8 Principles for Multi-Parish YM: Principles 4 and 5
6. 8 Principles for Multi-Parish YM: Principles 6 and 7
Leading a multi-parish youth ministry effort, as you can see from previous blog postings, requires a lot of effective communication. In fact, effective communication is not a separate principle that is developed on its own. It is a principle that plays an important role as we work through all the principles to develop effective ministry to young people.
Principle 8: Effective Communication
Although there are many systems that could be used as a strategy for effective communication, I feel less compelled to share any systems that I have seen used. Most systems work well and it is a matter of picking a system that works best in the context of multi-parish youth ministry and implementing it. Instead, it is more important to examine our own communication patterns to determine areas that we are weak in and that need to be addressed. We have a tendency to put the blame on others for the lack of or ineffective communication. The problem is, we cannot control others. We can only control ourselves.
John C. Maxwell writes in The 17 Essential Qualities of a Team Player that communicative players do and act in specific ways that help the communication process. On the flip side, communicative players choose to avoid certain activities that cause ineffective communication. Below are five insights by John C. Maxwell with my own notes and insights.
Communicative players…
1. Do not isolate themselves.
It is amazing how easy it is to hide in ministry. In a multi-parish youth ministry setting, one can easily avoid a certain parish on a regular basis creating an ineffective pattern of communication with the staff and parishioners. As a multi-parish ministry leader, we need to make sure that we are present to all people at every parish on a regular basis. It is not enough to sit in our office shooting off emails or text massages. The face-to-face time is absolutely essential to making multi-parish youth ministry work. If you find that you are spending a lot of time in the office and not out building relationships with staff and parishioners, then the ministry efforts are bound to fail.
2. Make it easy for teammates to communicate with them.
Do not make it a challenge to communicate with you. If people have a difficult time even getting in touch with you or having a conversation with you, they are less likely to come to you in the future. Ken Blanchard once stated that, “Real communication happens when people feel safe.” What steps do you take to make people feel welcome and safe to come and speak with you? Everything from attitude, to presence, to the way we listen, are all key factors. Assure people and make them feel good about coming to you, even if it is something negative that they have shared with you.
3. Follow the twenty-four hour rule
A current goal that I have set for myself is to follow up on all communications within twenty-four hours, unless it is my day off, am sick, or am on vacation. Having a call or email returned right away makes people feel important and valued, letting them know that what they have to say is important to you and the ministry. The twenty-four rule also means that if you have a difficulty or conflict with anyone in the ministry, do not let more than twenty-four hours go by without addressing it. If it is not addressed in that time frame, ill feelings are not resolved and they become underline to every communication that happens past that time. Do not ignore it. Deal with the conflict right away.
4. Give attention to potentially difficult relationships.
First of all, it is important to clarify which difficult relationships need to be given attention to. Determine if the person is integral to the success of the ministry. This could be key volunteers, parish staff, parents, or young people. If you know you have to work with certain individuals and you find that this might be a difficult relationship, do not ignore it. Give it the attention it needs to grow into a fruitful relational experience. Often times, people that seem the most difficult to work with just want to be heard and understood. For individuals like this, all it takes is an open and honest ear. Regardless of the situation, if this person is a key part of the ministry, work to understand them and to get them on board with the vision and the plan. This can save time and hassle in the future.
5. Follow up important communication in writing.
Did you make an important decision over the phone? Were some major ideas addressed in a meeting? Document these things. We are a visual people. Having important communication written down not only helps us to remember what has been discussed, but allows us to have a written record of our progress. Although this can sound untrustworthy and counter cultural to what we teach in church, verbal agreements and understandings often do not hold weight. If it is that important, write it in the minutes of the meeting or confirm the details of the conversation via an email. Vision, mission, values, and goals are all items that should be written down.
Summary
In effective communication, it is important to end with this: If it goes without saying, it should definitely be said. Too many miscommunications happen because of assumptions. Assuming that people already know or understand something can negatively affect the ministry work that is trying to be accomplished.
Becoming a communicative player is key to building effective multi-parish youth ministry. Work on yourself first, and you will find that as you model good communication, others will begin to emulate you.
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| Introducing Life Teen's New Book for Parents: "Rocking the Catholic Cradle" | | By Kori Baker, Life Teen Communications Director | | 10/23/2009 | The joke among the parish staff was that the youth minister’s office has been relocated to the local Starbucks. While I was at the parish more than I was at Starbucks, it was noticeable that I spent time there every week. Not because of some crazed caffeine-addiction, but because it was the place for me to meet with teens, do Confirmation interviews and it was the spot to catch up with parents of the teens in our programs.
Armed with my cup of coffee, laptop and Bible, I’d set myself up in a visible location and work while I watched parent after parent come in on their way to work, after workouts, on their way to volunteer somewhere or to meet up with a friend. A couple of inviting smiles and hellos later, the extra chair at my table became a revolving seat for parents who started a conversation with “Oh since you are here, I was going to call (email, stop by, etc) but now I’ll just ask instead.” Questions would range from the details of an event or project (do they need a sleeping bag? Did I get all the forms filled out?), to the deeper questions about our faith, and then moved into deeper discussions about the challenges of raising teens, especially Catholic teens in today’s world.
 Parents are the primary catechists for their children. As a church, we honor that role and respect it. We supplement and encourage their work by offering religious education classes, family activities, sacramental preparation and community activities. In youth ministry, we support parents by communicating topics discussed at Life Nights, inviting them to pray and support the ministry and, if possible, offering parent nights or a parent ministry. Comprehensive youth ministry MUST support parents in their role as primary catechists. It is not an option.
As a youth minister, your role is not just to lead teens closer to Christ, but to support whole families on their faith journey as well. Whether it’s listening to a parent’s concerns about activities or answering their own questions about the faith, you minister to adults as well as teens. Parents need our support and encouragement to be examples of faith for their children. From the parent who wants to attend every event to the parent who hasn’t been to church in years to the parent who tirelessly supports your ministry, all parents need our loving support and encouragement as they raise their teens. Listen to them, answer their questions, communicate what is happening in your programs, provide them information and resources and pray for them and with them.
Our relational ministry with teens should extend to the parents of the young people as well. We need to communicate with parents often, challenging and affirming them in their role.
Last June we introduced Parent Life, a ministry for the parents of middle school youth and high school teens. In a desire to support and encourage parents, we are proud to introduce a brand new book specifically for Catholic parents. Rocking the Cradle Catholic by Mary Moore give real world insights and ideas for raising little saints in a lukewarm culture. This book would serve as a fantastic book study for Parent Life groups or a gift for the parent volunteers in your program.
Quick Look: Rocking the Cradle: Raising Little Saints in a Lukewarm CultureDo you want to see what's inside? Download the first pages of the book. | | |
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| Are You Making a Small Deal Out of Confirmation? | | By Tricia Tembreull, Parish Start-Up Coordinator | | 10/22/2009 | It continually surprises me when I get asked the question, “Can we just make Life Nights our parish Confirmation program?” Don’t get me wrong, I understand the reason for the question: not enough time to do Life Teen and Confirmation or you don’t have enough catechists or you’re trying to kill two birds with one stone (poor bird) or there isn’t enough facility space for every ministry. So don’t think I’m heartless when I say I’m surprised.
Confirmation is one of the Sacraments of Initiation and your Confirmation program is Sacramental preparation. Life Teen is a comprehensive Youth Ministry program that addresses the catechetical, spiritual and social needs of your teens. Both are separate ministries that serve separate needs: one is Sacramental preparation and the other, youth ministry.
Now work with me on this. The last time I checked, First Communion preparation didn’t take place during, say, the Liturgy of the Word for Children and preparation for the Sacrament of Matrimony is it’s own separate ministry, right? So why is it that we are trying to combine Sacramental preparation for Confirmation with Life Teen? Why are we making such a small deal out of this BIG Sacrament?
Trust me, I know how overwhelming it is to prepare both a Life Teen and Confirmation program for a parish. They are two Texas sized, foam cowboy hats to wear on one head. They both require two volunteer teams: Catechists and Core. They both demand different catechetical curriculums, another set of room reservations to fill out and one or two more retreats to plan and put on. But aren’t your teens worth it? Shouldn’t both their Confirmation preparation and Life Teen program be the best they can be? Of course, YES!
So, here are five ways to make a BIG deal out of Confirmation and create, for your teens, a lasting relationship with Christ that is sealed by the Holy Spirit.
1. Annual Confirmation Themes
Create an annual Confirmation theme that will reflect in your program kick off, retreats, rituals and workshops. Select a praise and worship theme song that can be played on retreats, ritual Masses and in their small or large group workshops. Create t-shirts that you can give out as gifts on retreat and Catechists can wear at large group meetings, events and retreats. Feel free to use the Life Teen theme that we break open every year. You can count on great Life Nights that can be turned into a kickoff night or a small or large group workshop within the calendar year. If our theme doesn’t work, make one up or check out our Oneight Confirmation program where we list various themes for your program.
2. Core/Catechists Retreat
Take your Catechists on retreat with your Core and possibly your music ministry for your youth Mass. Help everyone realize that they are part of the youth ministry program and they each have an important role to play in leading teens closer to Christ. In addition to retreat, invite your catechist to local Core Member University and Diocesan trainings to continue their formation. The more you invite your Confirmation Catechists into the vision of youth ministry the more they will go beyond a teacher/student relationship and enter Confirmation with a relational ministry approach. Life Teen has multiple Core Retreats available on YM.lifeteen.com so check them out and find one that fits where you team is on their personal, spiritual walk.
3. Confirmation Kickoff
Whenever a new semester kicks off for Life Teen, we encourage parishes to have a big semester kickoff. Why not do the same for your Confirmation program? Hold a large group session with praise and worship music, some icebreakers, talks and prayer. Have the teens break into their small groups for the year and meet their catechists. Have teens Confirmed the year before become Catechists In Training (CIT’s) to assist throughout the year. Make the night exciting and energizing and full of the Spirit already present in the teens through their Baptism.
4. Rites and Rituals
First, contact your diocesan director for the specific rites and rituals require of youth preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation to participate in. Utilize your Youth Mass to create Confirmation rites and rituals that invite the teens to make a deeper commitment to their faith while celebrating with the entire parish community. Invite Confirmation Sponsors, parents and the rest of the community to pray with and for the teens as they prepare for this special Sacrament. If your parish is multi-cultural, be sure to have bi-lingual Psalms and songs at appropriate times in the Mass. Utilize the theme song you have chosen for the year in the celebration and involved the teens to be very involved in special ways in the Mass.
5. Confirmation Retreats
Many parishes don’t have the resources to put on a weekend Confirmation Retreat for their teens. Many choose to do a one-day retreat or something at the parish. I want to encourage you to do a full, weekend, get out of town retreat. The Oneight Confirmation program has a great weekend retreat called “Emmaus” if you are looking for a retreat format. TRUE transformation takes place on weekend or week-long experiences such as retreat, mission trips and camps. The reason many Bishops require annual, weekend retreats is because they know how important and life changing they are. This is one sure fire way to make Confirmation BIG!
So there you have it, five ways to make a big deal out of your Confirmation program. If you need creative ideas for any of these suggestions, please give me a call or send me an email. Confirmation is a huge passion of mine and I would love to serve you by making your program bigger and better. | | |
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| I Survived Parish Bingo | | By Todd Lemieux, Blogger | | 10/22/2009 | Editor's Note: This blog was originally published on Todd's website, The Sainthood Project.
I don't know if your Church or ministry runs a bingo program to raise money for various things.
I don't know what your personal feelings are about bingo.
The following is completely true.
I was working at a parish later in the afternoon in which the office I was working was attached to the elementary school that the parish runs. That evening, bingo was to start at 7.30 pm, and it was 4.30 when I noticed two in the hallway that seemed to be struggling with the weight of their bags and a moral dilemma.
Since I enjoy helping, I went into the hallway and asked if there was something I could do. They seemed distressed as there was a sign on the parish hall doors that said, "No bingo admittance until 6pm." In their bags I saw cards, markers good luck charms, and a small car.
They said that the sign was new and they didn't know what to do. I asked if they ran bingo and if they came to set up. They looked at me like I was from Area 51.
"We're here to play."
I calmly suggested perhaps they go to an early dinner at the local diner and come back in an hour and a half when the doors were open. After all, bingo didn't start for another three hours.
"We have to practice!"
I was surprised at this. Practice for three hours before bingo started? I didn't know there was a set skill set that was involved that needed to be exercised.
"You OBVIOUSLY don't play BINGO."
I should have kept my suggestions to myself. The sweetness dropped away as soon as one of the staff members left the parish hall and the the gates were opened to bingo room. The two women embraced the spirit of Usain Bolt and sprinted, carrying the baggage of the world into the hall and had set up at the table in a matter of seconds. Having witnessed my first real miracle, I left the women to practice for the next three hours as I left for the car.
That got me thinking.
Is there anything else that we show up to church three hours ahead of time for?
Can you imagine if someone showed up to Mass three hours ahead of time and became absolutely aggressive and indignant when someone suggested they might have their perspective a little out of whack?
What if we showed up three hours early to practice singing, reading the readings for the day, praying, going to Reconciliation? What if someone asked why we were at church so early and we simply responded:
"I'm here to PRAY."
If they suggested we go eat breakfast or if we simply take our time before showing up we shot back:
"I have to practice. I have to be READY."
If they suggested that we seemed to be taking Church, God, Mass, a little to seriously we replied:
"You OBVIOUSLY don't pray the MASS."
Just a thought on our priorities when it comes to Church. | | |
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| Out of the Box: Making the Most of Life Support (October 2009) | | By Lisa Epperson, Resource Director | | 10/1/2009 | It’s fall again – already! The craziness of summer gives way to the frantic start of a new school year, new freshman and fall programming. This new start can be overwhelming but also filled with new opportunities to lead teens closer to Christ. This is the final box of eight-semester curriculum and 2010 will bring many new and exciting upgrades to your Life Support resources! We pray that the contents of this Life Support shipment will bless your ministry and allow this school year to be filled with opportunities to lead teens closer to Christ. Below is a short description of everything you will find in this box:
Liturgy Planning Guide
This book is designed to enhance your youth-focused liturgies with music and teen-friendly homilies. It can also be used as a basis for a lectionary-based Bible Study. Be sure to share this valuable resource with your music ministry as well as the priests. This books covers the 1st Sunday in Advent (Nov 29, 2009) through the 5th Sunday in Lent (March 21, 2009).
Curriculum Guide: Vocations Semester
This is the final book in an eight-semester series. This semester is on the universal call to holiness and the specific vocations of priesthood, marriage and single life. The goal of the semester is to help the teens understand how following God’s plan is our path to true fulfillment. Based on the USCCB’s “National Doctrinal Curriculum Framework for High School,” this resource gives 8 educational Life Nights that can be used in building an engaging and educational semester for your teens. These nights are meant to be adapted to meet the needs of your teens, but work as a great starting point for your planning.
Video Support #8
This DVD contains videos that support the Curriculum Guide Life Nights. There are several videos that can be used within the vocation semester Life Nights. In addition, we have included several excerpts from the 2009 Life Teen Training Convention. These training pieces are valuable tools to help in ongoing formation of your Core Team.
Spotlight: Volume 8
This resource is designed to keep you informed about what is going on in youth ministry as well as provide social and issue nights to use in semester planning. This volume has two Issue Life Nights and one social Life Night. Filled with valuable information, this resource is meant to be shared among your Core team!
The Catholic Priest Today DVD
This documentary was produced by Midwest Theological Forum as a compliment to the Fishers of Men film. It is about priests living the great adventure of a life completely dedicated to Christ and His Church. This DVD is a great addition to the vocations semester and a great way to celebrate the Year For Priests.
Meaning of Vocation by Pope John Paul II
This book is a collection of excerpts from Pope John Paul II’s talks regarding the meaning of vocation and how each person ought to respond to God’s calling. The Pope’s words are a sure way of discovering just what God wants from us.
Rocking the Catholic Cradle by Mary Moore
After the release of our Parent Life resource last spring, we knew that we needed to provide parents and youth ministers with more Catholic parenting resources. This new book is an honest, humorous and heartfelt look at the joys and challenges of Catholic parenting today.
Matt Maher “Alive Again” CD
Wait no longer! Life Teen contributing artist, Matt Maher, has just released his newest album and we are proud to celebrate what God is doing in Matt and through his music. This powerful album is filled with songs that lead the listener into deeper worship.
“Glory Revealed II” CD
Like the first, "Glory Revealed," the new album became a labor of love that attracted many of the top names in Christian music. "What's great about the 'Glory Revealed' record is that the songs originate with scripture. There's something amazing about singing God's word back to Him in worship."
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