Contact Info:
Tel:
559-485-3619
E-mail:
Roy Guzman
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/broroyguzman
Our Catholic Youth Ministry Vision
"What is
needed today is a Church which knows how to
respond to the expectations of young people.
Jesus wants to enter into dialogue with them
and, through his body which is the Church,
to propose the possibility of a choice which
will require a commitment of their lives. As
Jesus with the disciples of Emmaus, so the
Church must become the traveling companion
of young people ..." (Pope John Paul II,
World Youth Day 1995, Philippines) The
Church must become the traveling companion
of young people - and that's what we mean by
youth ministry. If, indeed, "it takes an
entire village to raise a child," then it
certainly takes an entire Church to journey
with young people as they grapple with the
Good News and respond in discipleship. The
National Catholic Conference of Bishops, in
their 1997 document, Renewing the Vision: A
Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry, have
identified three goals which provide
direction for this ministry.
Our
Youth Ministry ... it's about discipleship
The first goal of our youth ministry is "to
empower young people to live as disciples of
Jesus Christ in our world today." (RTV 9).
Young people are "searching for a noble
adventure", a compelling and challenging
vision of life, and a cause worth their
commitment. They hunger to hear the Good
News that finds response in discipleship. As
their companions on this spiritual journey,
some of the ways the Church fulfills this
first goal of youth ministry is by ...
--
proclaiming the Good News of Jesus through
witness and word to young people.
-- enabling young people to live as
disciples through their involvement in
service, ministry, and leadership
opportunities.
-- providing young people the faith skills
for discipleship.
Our
Youth Ministry ... it's about connection
The second goal is "to draw young people to
responsible participation in the life,
mission, and work of the faith community." (RTV
11). Young people have a hunger for
connection, to be in relationship, and to
really belong. Family, peers, school, youth
serving organizations, and Church are
primary connections for young people. Some
of the ways the Church fulfills this second
goal of youth ministry is by ...
-- being a
'youth friendly' community that welcomes
young people, values their participation,
and calls forth their gifts.
-- integrating young people into the
liturgical, pastoral, and ministerial life
of the parish community.
-- creating opportunities for young people
to enter into healthy relationships of trust
and respect with their peers and with
adults.
-- promoting Catholic identity and religious
literacy through programs of adolescent
catechesis.
Our
Youth Ministry ... it's about gifts and
growth
The third goal of our youth ministry is "to
foster the total personal and spiritual
growth of each young person." (RTV 15).
Adolescence is an important time for mental,
spiritual, social, and physical growth.
Their experiences and relationships greatly
impact their healthy and positive
development. The Church strives to surround
young people with the best possible external
scaffolds - networks of caring relationships
of family, school, peers, and other adults -
while young people are developing their
internal psychological and spiritual
backbone - their values, life skills,
commitments, and moral compass. The Church
fulfills this third goal of youth ministry
by ...
-- enabling
young people to develop a personal
relationship with Jesus.
-- actively supporting positive youth
development and fostering healthy values and
life skills.
-- supporting families of young people by
providing resources, programs, and services.
-- providing opportunities to experience and
express caring, service, and compassion for
others.
Our
Youth Ministry ... happens comprehensively
Our Youth ministry is more than programs and
events. It is "the response of the Christian
community to the needs of young people and
the sharing of the unique gifts of youth
with the larger community." (RTV 1). To be
most effective, this is a ministry to, with,
for, and by young people that involves their
families, their parish community, and the
larger community. At the heart of ministry
with young people is the presence of caring,
supportive relationships where youth
experience the Good News in the flesh.
Our
Youth Ministry ... it takes an entire Church
"This is what is needed: a Church for young
people, which will know how to speak to
their heart and enkindle, comfort, and
inspire enthusiasm in it with the joy of the
Gospel and the strength of the Eucharist; a
Church which will know how to invite and
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." (Pope John
Paul II. 1995 World Day of Prayer for
Vocations).
