Youth Ministry
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.
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.
Radiate
Radiate 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 ice breakers, 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.