Extension Society grant to fund youth evangelization project

by Mark Kemmeter

Coordinator of Diocesan Staff

The Catholic Church Extension Society, based in Chicago, has awarded the Diocese of New Ulm a grant of $45,000 to fund a two-year youth evangelization project. The grant was awarded as a memorial to the late Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, and in honor of his great love and devotion to the youth of the church. The grant complements the diocesan-wide evangelization process that is being developed primarily for adults. The youth project will focus on youth ministry, parish and Catholic high school religious education curriculums, and outreach to high school age students. The project should also benefit elementary level programs and students.

The grant will provide funding to:

1. Identify common models and components for parish, area and diocesan youth ministry

2. Develop Catholic high school religion curriculums, parish high school religious education programs, and preparation programs for the Sacrament of Confirmation

3. Conduct the National Assessment of Catechesis/Religious Education (ACRE) in all religious education programs and Catholic schools

The grant will pay for the assessments, training sessions, and resource materials. The administration of the project will rely on the collaboration of several diocesan offices, including Catholic Schools, Religious Education, Youth Ministry, Hispanic Ministry, Worship, and Social Concerns.

There are four phases involved in the project: consultation, student assessment, youth ministry training, and catechist and teacher training.

The consultation phase will seek ideas and suggestions from parish Directors of Religious Education, Youth Ministers, Catholic School Religion Departments, leadership in Hispanic Ministry, and parents. Participants will help to identify the following:

· a model and essential components for parish, area and diocesan youth ministry;

· curriculums for parish programs and Catholic high school religion classes;

· recommended changes to the Confirmation guidelines;

· a plan for the inclusion of Hispanic youth and other diverse populations into all activities and programs.

After these consultations, the diocesan Evangelization and Catechesis Committee will develop proposals and policy revisions for review by the Priests’ Council and Diocesan Pastoral Council and for final approval by Bishop Nienstedt.

The assessment phase will begin in the spring of 2006. The grant will pay for national assessments of all 5th, 8th, and 11th grade students in the diocese. The initial assessments will provide a basis for comparison prior to the introduction of the new models, curriculums, and trained staff. The assessments should point out the programs which are exemplary and those that may require additional consultation. In the future, it is possible that the cost of the assessments may be assumed by parishes or area faith communities.

Youth ministry training will be conducted with regional groups of youth and adult leaders. A retreat format will be used for the training sessions. The retreats are envisioned for the winter/spring of 2007. The model and components could then be introduced as early as that summer.

Catechist and teacher training will be scheduled for the late spring and early summer of 2007. The training will follow a day-long workshop format and will be offered at regional locations in the diocese. The new curriculums and Confirmation guidelines would be implemented at the beginning of the next academic year.

During the high school years, it is essential to provide for a solid faith formation, to offer an experience of Christian community, and to invite young people into a deeper relationship with Jesus and the church. Many high school graduates from the Diocese of New Ulm will attend college, find jobs and relocate to parishes and dioceses throughout the country. However, a significant number will remain in the area and others will return to the diocese with their undergraduate and graduate degrees. High school youth are the present and the future of the Catholic Church. This grant will greatly enhance the parish, area and diocesan ministry to, with, and for young people.

Remember in your prayers the many Catholic Extension donors who make the financial assistance of this grant possible. The donors, like Pope John Paul II, are interested in the future of the church and want to help young people recognize the precious gift that is our Catholic faith.