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St. Theresa's Parish
incorporates
eight components for a comprehensive ministry with youth as outlined in the document, "Renewing the
Vision: A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry" created by the United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The Components are:
- Advocacy
- Catechesis
- Community Life
- Evangelization
- Justice & Service
- Leadership
Development
- Pastoral Care
- Prayer & Worship
Youth Ministry is the Church fulfilling its
mission on behalf of the young. Through the efforts of the Church in Youth Ministry, the young encounter
the Word of God, are welcomed into the community of faith, worship the Lord
in prayer and liturgy, and are challenged to a life of service in the
Lord's name.
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THE
GOALS OF YOUTH MINISTRY
1. Youth Ministry works to foster the total personal and spiritual
growth of each young person.
2. Youth Ministry seeks to draw young people to responsible
participation in the life, mission and work of the faith community.
3. Youth Ministry gives the world a sign of God's Kingdom by challenging
the young to work for justice and peace among the poor and the oppressed.
DIMENSIONS - YOUTH MINISTRY NEEDS TO BE
TO YOUTH: When the Catholic community exercises its pastoral role
in meeting young people's needs.
WITH YOUTH: Young people sharing with adults a common
responsibility to carry out the Church's mission.
BY YOUTH: When young people exercise their own
ministry to others, particularly with their peers.
FOR
YOUTH: When adults advocate for the needs of young people in the
development of ministry for others.
THE COMPONENTS OF YOUTH MINISTRY
ADVOCACY - Interpreting the needs of youth and their families,
especially the social problems facing them and acting with or on behalf of youth
and their families for a change in the systems (policies, procedures,
programs) which create or contribute to the social problems; giving young people a
voice and empowering them to address the social problems that they face.
CATECHESIS - Helping adolescents to develop a deeper relationship with
Jesus Christ and the Christian community, and increasing their knowledge of
the core content of their Catholic faith. The ministry of catechesis helps
young people to enrich and expand their understanding of the Scriptures and
the sacred tradition and their application to life today. Also, to live more
faithfully as disciples of Jesus Christ in their everyday lives. The ministry of catechesis fosters growth in Catholic faith in all three
dimensions -- trusting (heart), knowing and believing (mind), and doing (will).
COMMUNITY LIFE - Creating an environment which nurtures meaningful relationships among youth and between youth and adults characterized by Gospel values (eg. acceptance of all people, trust, respect,
cooperation, honesty, taking responsibility, willingness to serve): helping young
people to feel that they are an important part of the Church community;
providing opportunities for social interaction and meaningful participation in the
life of the Church and the civic community. The ministry of community
life is not only what we do (activity), but who we are (identity) and how we
interact (relationships).
EVANGELIZATION - Sharing the Good News of the reign of God and inviting young people to hear about the Word Made Flesh. Drawing from Jesus'
example, evangelization involves the community's pronouncement and living witness
that the reign of God has become realized in and through Jesus. Evangelization is the energizing core of all ministry with adolescents.
The ministry of evangelization incorporates several essential elements:
witness, outreach, proclamation, invitation, conversation and discipleship.
JUSTICE AND SERVICE - Guiding young people in the development of a
social consciousness and a commitment to life of justice and service grounded
in their faith in Jesus Christ, in the scriptures and in Catholic social
teaching; empowering young people (and their families) to work for
justice by concrete efforts to address the causes of human suffering, to serve
those in need, to pursue peace, and to defend the life, dignity, and rights of
all people; infusing the concepts of justice and peace into all Youth
Ministry efforts.
PRAYER AND WORSHIP - Celebrating and working to deepen young people's relationship with Jesus Christ through the bestowal of grace,
communal prayer and liturgical experiences; it awakens their awareness of the
spirit at work in their lives; it incorporates young people more fully into the
sacramental life of the Church, especially the Eucharist; it nurtures
the personal prayer life of young people, and it fosters family rituals and
prayer.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT - Recruiting, training, and supporting youth and adult leaders in Youth Ministry; empowering youth for leadership and
ministry with their peers, in their schools, and in the Church and civic
community; developing a leadership team of youth and adults to organize
and coordinate a ministry with youth; partnering with parents and families
in promoting positive youth development and faith growth.
PASTORAL CARE - Acting as a comprehensive presence in imitation of
Jesus' care for people, especially those who were hurting and in need. The
ministry of pastoral care involves promoting positive adolescent and family
development. The vision guiding youth ministry is found in the life of Jesus the
Lord. Youth Ministers and youth take their inspiration from the ministry of
Jesus during his journey to Emmaus. (Luke 24: 13-35) "Renewing the Vision" is most importantly an affirmation of
the faith, gifts, energy, and fresh ideas of young people. It is a Christ-centered
vision. It is a call to empower young people for the mission they have
been given by the Lord Jesus.
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