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Youth Ministry Studies Program and
Certification
GOALS OF YOUTH
MINISTRY
Renewing the
Vision: A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry
identifies three goals of
an effective ministry with young people:
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To empower young
people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today.
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To draw young people
to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the
Catholic faith community.
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To foster the total
personal and spiritual growth of each young person.
COMPONENTS OF YOUTH
MINISTRY
Renewing the Vision
also identifies eight
components of youth ministry, each of which is an expression of the
ministry of the Christian community to young people. In a program of
total youth ministry, parishes combine these components.
Ministry of Advocacy
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Provides a total youth
ministry approach that meets the differing needs of young people
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Enables youth to be
represented by a peer on parish council and parish committees
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Interprets the
concerns of youth and transmits those concerns to the parish
community and to the larger society
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Provides
representation on the parish youth ministry staff
Ministry of Catechesis
Ministry of Community
Life
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Provides the
opportunity for a parish group, including social, athletic, and
cultural aspects
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Includes an outreach
program for unchurched or uninvolved youth
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Includes a program of
social activities for the parish young people
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Keeps parents informed
of the youth program and involves them when possible
Ministry of
Evangelization
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Invites youth into the
life and mission of the Catholic community, and calls them to be
evangelizers in turn
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Reaches out to young
people by meeting them in various life situations
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Witnesses young
people’s faith in Jesus Christ in all aspects of their lives
Ministry
of Justice and Service
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Includes opportunities
for youth to be of genuine service to the parish community as well
as to the larger society
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Includes opportunities
for youth to reflect on the social justice concerns of the church
and offers them opportunities to respond in action on behalf of
others
Ministry of Leadership
Development
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Provides for the
supervision and guidance of the youth leaders
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Develops the
leadership potential in young people in order for them to assume
responsibility for their programs
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Fosters peer ministry
within the parish’s ministry to youth
Ministry of Pastoral Care
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Identifies and
utilizes community organizations responsible for preventive and
rehabilitative services to young people
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Provides opportunities
that respond to the concerns of young people in the areas of
substance abuse, sexuality, family concerns, and other special needs
Ministry of Prayer and
Worship
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Provides for youth
liturgies, prayer, and worship experiences that are meaningful to
youth
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Fosters prayer as an
integral part of the life of young people
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Provides an
opportunity for youth choirs and music, young people as Eucharistic
ministers, lectors, cantors, ushers, and other roles
DIMENSIONS OF YOUTH MINISTRY
Renewing the Vision
encourages integrating parish ministry with young people and their
families into the total life of the Church, recognizing that the whole
community is responsible for this ministry. The following themes of
comprehensive ministry ensure that youth ministry utilizes all available
resources and is all inclusive:
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Developmentally
Appropriate
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Family Friendly
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Intergenerational
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Multicultural
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Community-wide
Collaboration
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Leadership
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Flexible and Adaptable
Programming
Four Ways Youth Ministry Connects
With Youth
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To youth
– the Christian community exercising its pastoral role in meeting
youths’ need
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With youth
– young people sharing with adults a common responsibility to carry
out the church’s mission
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By youth
– young people exercising their own ministry to others
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For youth
– adult youth ministers attempting to interpret the needs and concerns
of youth
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