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Austin Youth Ministry
- Contact:
Keri Flahive - 507-437-3250
Quick
Links:
- The Who, What and
Why of Austin Catholic Youth Ministry
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- The Who:
- The National Conference of Catholic Bishops, Renewing the Vision document states;
"Ministry with adolescents helps young people learn what it means to follow Jesus
Christ and to live as his disciples today, empowering them to serve others and to work
toward a world built on the vision and values of the reign of God."
- It is important that every member of the church discern their gifts and talents
to see where it is that they are called to be stewards. If you are interested in preparing
retreats for junior high and/or high school young people, leading prayer and small groups,
planning and participating in activities, helping with Generations of Faith, and/or
spending a week on a mission trip, please contact Alice Duffy-Meyer or Keri Flahive for
more information.
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- The What:
- Youth Ministry is: Advocacy, Catechesis, Building Community,
Evangelization, Justice and Service, Leadership Development, Pastoral Care, and Prayer and
Worship..
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- What does that mean you ask? Youth Ministry is divided up into eight categories
(listed above) each category or component is a piece of the ministry pie, when all eight
pieces are present, you have what is called "Comprehensive Youth Ministry".
That's great you say, but what exactly are those eight pieces?
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- Advocacy is promoting youth issues, both within and
outside of the parish. It involves regular communication to youth and the parish about
youth ministry needs perspectives, and events. This includes advocating for a greater
youth role in parish life as well as standing up for young people in the civic community.
For example: youth representation on parish council, teams and commissions; youth
newsletters; bulletin board with photos of young people and activities etc.
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- Catechesis provides opportunities for growth in faith,
exploration of issues of church and church teaching, morality, scripture, sacraments, etc.
Ex: opportunities for mini-courses, youth forums, speaker programs, retreats, Generations
of Faith, Sacramental preparation, and diocesan and national conferences.
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- Building Community involves young people in activities
for the broader community life of the faith community; involvement in ministries, service
projects, socials gatherings, trips, retreats, parties, gathering with other parishes,
seasonal celebrations, athletics etc.
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- Evangelization includes efforts designed to reach out
to young people on their terms and turf, to proclaim the Good News and to welcome them
into our family of faith. Which means being available for them, attending their sporting
events, providing special speaker programs, retreats, hospitality events etc.
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- Justice and Service
provides an opportunity to reach
out to those in need, both within and outside the parish. It also includes raising the
consciousness about social justice issues and our church’s response to issues like
poverty, racism, violence, and abuse. We strive to provide opportunities for involvement
with activities such as Operation Christmas Child, Sharing & Caring Hands, Summer
Grunge, parish festivals, mission trips, 30 Hour Famine and helping at the Salvation Army.
These are all ways to become aware of the importance of social justice in our society.
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- Leadership Development helps youth and adults discern
and develop their talents and gifts, by training teens and adults in peer ministry skills
and leadership skills. It includes opportunities for involvement in shared leadership of
youth ministry as well as leadership in the broader parish community. Ex: parish ministry
and leadership development programs, Leadership Camp, planning teams, recruiting more
adult and youth leaders; team building retreats; skill-building sessions, etc.
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- Pastoral Care provides opportunities for teens to deal
with personal and relational issues such as self-esteem, dating, sexuality,
decision-making, and family tensions- through special speaker programs, one-to-one and
group conversations, family support programs, parent-teen communication workshops and
peer-ministry.
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- Prayer and Worship help youth develop a personal
relationship with God through personal prayer, group prayer and parish
worship—through retreats, prayer services, Eucharist, personal meditation, youth
choir, TEC retreats and mentoring/spiritual direction. Youth should be active in music
ministry; worship commission; liturgical ministries; special worship services; seasonal
prayer services; and roles in Sunday worship to help foster their relationship with God.
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- All of these eight components are vital to the success of youth ministry in a
parish and can only be achieved when everyone participates!
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- The Why:
- The why is easy...
- To empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ.
- To encourage young people to be responsible participants in the life mission and
work of the faith community.
- To foster the personal and spiritual growth of each and every young person. Once
these three goals are accomplished, the Church can rest assured that they are in good
hands.
Want to know more about Austin
Youth Ministry Activities? Click on
Activities to find out more.
Click here for
Austin
Youth Activities and Events
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