Commentary » Adolescent Catechesis

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• Effective Models of Adolescent Faith Formation for Parishes
• Keys to Efficient Faith Formation
• A Variety of Vibrant Youth Ministry Components
• Trained and Effective Adult Leaders
• Healthy Cooperation
• Effective Models of Adolescent Catechesis
  • Important Considerations
  • Mini-Courses
  • Small Faith Communities
  • Retreats
  • Discipleship in Action
    • Variations of Discipleship in Action
  • Super Sundays
  • Religious Education Classes
  • Supplemental Approaches
• How to Select the Right Model
• Confirmation Guidelines

 

A Variety of Vibrant Youth Ministry Components

Last Revised on January 11, 2012

A systematic program of adolescent faith formation makes no sense if it takes place in a vacuum – if there are no, or few, other significant involvements of the young person in living a life of faith.  Catechesis is one of the eight components of comprehensive youth ministry described by the U.S. bishops in Renewing the Vision – the other components round out the experience of adolescents in the faith community, and provides the living framework in which catechesis becomes comprehensible and lived instead of dry and theoretical.

These components include:

Community Life

As the bishops say in Renewing the Vision, “The content of our message will be heard only when it is lived in our relationships and community life.” (p.34) Community life is not just among young people; it is also between young people and the rest of the faith community.  Young people need meaningful connections with the broader faith community, its mission and ministries, in order to truly understand its message.

Evangelization

“Evangelization is the energizing core of all ministries with adolescents.  All of the relationships, ministry components, and programs of comprehensive youth ministry with adolescents must proclaim the Good News.  They must invite young people into a deeper relationship with the Lord Jesus and empower them to live as his disciples.”  (Renewing the Vision, p. 36)

Justice and Service

“The ministry of justice and service nurtures in young people a social consciousness and a commitment to a life of justice and service rooted in their faith in Jesus Christ, in the Scriptures, and in Catholic social teaching; empowers young people to work for justice by concrete efforts to address the causes of human suffering; and infuses the concepts of justice, peace, and human dignity into all ministry efforts.” (Renewing the Vision, p. 38). Not only are young people engaged in various kinds of service in the faith community, they must be meaningfully involved in the social mission of the faith community.  As such, they are learning about Catholic social teaching as they are engaged in the work of making it a lived reality – in the same ways that all members of the faith community are so engaged.  Young people are serving at soup kitchens, rehabbing low income housing, collecting canned goods, working for Habitat for Humanity – and learning along the way about systemic injustice and the preferential option for the poor.

Advocacy

“The ministry of advocacy engages the Church to examine its priorities and practices to determine how well young people are integrated into the life, mission, and work of the faith community.  It places adolescents and families first by analyzing every policy and program – domestic, parish-based, diocesan and international – for its impact on adolescents and families.”  (Renewing the Vision, p. 27)

Leadership Development

“The ministry of leadership development calls forth, affirms, and empowers diverse gifts, talents and abilities of adults and young people in our faith communities for comprehensive youth ministry with adolescents...This approach involves a wide diversity of adult and youth leaders in a variety of roles.” (Renewing the Vision, p. 40)

Pastoral Care

“The ministry of pastoral care involves promoting positive adolescent and family development through a variety of positive (preventive) strategies; caring for adolescents and families in crisis through support, counseling, and referral to appropriate community agencies; providing guidance as young people face life decisions and make moral choices; and challenging systems that are obstacles to positive development (advocacy).”  (Renewing the Vision, p. 42) Further, in the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist, the healing power of Christ is made available to youth.

Prayer and Worship

“The ministry of prayer and worship celebrates and deepens 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 Eucharist; it nurtures the personal prayer life of young people; and it fosters family rituals and prayer.”  (Renewing the Vision, p. 44)

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