Creating Youth Friendly Parishes

New Ulm - Are we as parishes responding to the needs our young people have to be included in the total life of our parish? The U.S. Bishops in their document, Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry, tells us how important it is that we "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, in Catholic schools, and in other organizations serving youth. Ministry with adolescents 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."

Our diocese will soon conduct a "blitz" of workshops on this new vision of youth ministry. All who serve our youth in any way are invited to come. Those who participate will learn about how to empower young people as disciples while engaging them in the life of the parish and the mission of the Catholic Church.

On Monday, September 18, from 9:30-3:00 there will be an all day training event for parish leaders at St. Catherine’s in Redwood Falls. The trainer will be Mary Lee Becker. She is an author and consultant in youth ministry. Parish leaders including Youth Ministers, Directors of Religious Education, parish staffs, school principals, school teachers, A-TEC leaders, and catechists will gain better insights into teens today and find ways to provide programs and services that can have a lasting impact on these young people.

On Wednesday night, September 20, from 7:00-9:30, two programs will be presented. Mary Lee Becker will present in Gibbon and Mike Moseley in Montevideo. Mike is the coordinator of youth ministry services for the Center for Ministry Development. He has done extensive work developing strategies and resources for creating youth and family friendly parishes. This will give the opportunity for parish leaders and volunteers including catechists, volunteer youth ministers, Catholic school teachers, parish council members, education committee members, parents, DRE’s, youth ministers, school principals, liturgists, A-TEC leaders, scouting leaders, KC’s, CCW, Foresters, and Catholic Aid to attend and to better prepare your parish for the future.

Mary Lee Becker and Mike Moseley will be the presenters at Pastoral Leader Days in Willmar September 19-20. They will help our pastoral leaders explore insights and implications of "Renewing the Vision" for total parish involvement.

For further information and to register contact your parish Youth Minister, Religious Education Director, or call the Diocesan Office of Youth Ministry or Religious Education,Bill Casey, JoAnn Borchert, or Cindy Blickem at 507-359-2966.