Youth Ministry Networks and Programs
Three interdependent and equally important goals guide the Catholic Church’s ministry with youth. These goals state what it means for the Catholic community to respond to the needs of young people and to involve young people in sharing their unique gifts with the community of faith and the wider civic community and indeed, the world. They express the Church’s focus for ministry with youth, while encouraging parish creativity in developing the programs, activities, and strategies to reach these goals.
Goal 1: To empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today.
Ministry with youth 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. As we wrote in A Message to Youth:
As a baptized member of the Church, Jesus Christ calls you to follow in his footsteps and make a difference in the world today. You can make a difference! . . . In the words of the Holy Father: “Offer your youthful energies and your talents to building a civilization of Christian love . . . commit yourself to the struggle for justice, solidarity, and peace” (Homily at World Youth Day, Denver, 1993).
The challenge of discipleship–of following Jesus–is at the heart of the Church’s mission. All ministry with youth must be directed toward presenting young people with the Good News of Jesus Christ and inviting and challenging them to become his disciples. For this reason, catechesis is an essential component of youth ministry and one that needs renewed emphasis. If we are to succeed, we must offer young people a spiritually challenging and world-shaping vision that meets their hunger for the chance to participate in a worthy adventure.
Goal 2: To draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic faith community.
Young people experience the Catholic community of faith at home, in the parish (especially in youth ministry programs), in Catholic schools, and in other organizations serving youth. Ministry with youth recognizes the importance of each of these faith communities in helping young people grow in faith as they experience life in community and actively participate in the mission of Jesus Christ and his Church.
Goal 3: To foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person.
Ministry with youth promotes the growth of healthy, competent, caring, and faith-filled Catholic young people. The Church is concerned for the whole person, addressing the young people’s spiritual needs in the context of his or her whole life. Ministry with youth fosters positive adolescent development and growth in both Christian discipleship and Catholic identity. Promoting the growth of young and older youth means addressing their unique developmental, social, and religious needs and nurturing the qualities or assets necessary for positive development. It also means addressing the objective obstacles to healthy growth that affect the lives of so many young people, such as poverty, racial discrimination, and social injustice, as well as the subjective obstacles to healthy growth such as the loss of a sense of sin, the influence of values promoted by the secular media, and the negative impact of the consumer mentality.
YOUTH MINISTRY NETWORKS
Canadian Catholic Youth Ministry Network
The CCYMN is a representative network of designated Canadian Catholic diocesan/eparchial youth ministry leaders who advocate for, promote, and celebrate youth and youth ministry – in support of each other within the mission of the Catholic Church.
The Network was established to help diocesan/eparchial youth ministry leaders communicate more easily with each other for mutual support, collaboration and development in respective ministries. Our local and regional diversity enriches the tapestry that is youth ministry in Canada, and provides the possibility of identifying challenges, trends and opportunities that help us respond to the needs of youth creatively and faithfully.
National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry
NFCYM looks to a future when young people see themselves as children of God who live as missionary disciples of Jesus Christ; when the gifts, struggles, and diverse realities of young people are welcomed in Catholic faith communities; when ministry leaders have embraced the joy of the Gospel, and when families are living as the domestic church. NFCYM is committed to advancing the field of pastoral ministry to young people by forming, equipping, and supporting ministry leaders in their service to young people and their families. NFCYM offers a variety of resources for ministry leaders looking to learn more about a specific topic, start a new program, or strengthen their community.
FORMED.ORG
Discover Youth Programs on Formed.org
Symbolon for Teens
Symbolon: The Catholic Faith Explained is a systematic presentation of our Catholic Faith. It will lead you through the “big picture” of the Catholic Faith, and our Creed is the guide. Symbolon brings together some of the most trusted Catholic teachers in the world to guide you through the breadth and richness of the Catholic faith.
The Sanctuary Youth Series
We believe there is a vital need for youth to be able to talk about mental health and receive support and companionship in their faith communities. At Sanctuary, we hope that the next generation will experience the Church as a supportive place, and that youth ministry leaders, parents/caregivers, and youth will all be equipped to have conversations about mental health. This is why we have developed The Sanctuary Youth Series.
YOUTH MINISTRY PROGRAMS
Edge
Edge is a Catholic youth ministry program for children in later elementary grades. It provides a safe fun place for youth to find solid Catholic community, to get answers to their questions about faith, and, most importantly, to experience Jesus in a profound and personal way. Edge resources speak to the physical, psychological, cognitive, relational, and spiritual maturation of middle school youth. Edge resources make it easier for youth ministers to plan out their semesters of Edge Night, retreats, and to train a team of adults, the Core Team, to assist them in the ministry. The resources present Catholic teaching in a way that young people can understand.
Ignite
Ignite is a youth ministry program that serves young people ages 18 to 35 and helps them in taking that initial step in forming a personal relationship with God. Ignite paves the way for religious formation and sets them on the path to be strong, faithful Catholics.
Many Parts Ministries – Charisms for Teens
Many Parts Ministries equips the Body of Christ by helping people learn about and discern their charisms (spiritual gifts) so they can see how they are being personally invited by the Holy Spirit to help grow the Church. No one is without a role. Every member matters.
NET Ministries of Canada
Radiate Christ
Radiate Christ youth ministry invites all high school-age youth to join and develop a lasting love for Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church through praise, worship, and service. Each gathering is different but might include icebreakers, guest speakers, group discussions, and music — and will always feature food, friendship, and fun! The ministry works toward fully integrating our youth into the life, mission, and work of the parishes.
Contact your PARISH about youth ministry programs.
Resources
Outside da Box Films: A collection of videos for use in various Catholic youth ministry situations.
Busted Halo: A great site for engaging videos, podcasts and ministry materials.
Lifeteen: Free blogs and resources for Catholic youth ministers.
Hopestone: a Catholic Lay Ministry that provides virtual sacramental preparation, retreats and conferences for elementary and high schools, summer day camps for parishes, overnight summer camps and retreats for families.