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Adolescent Catechesis

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The Faith Community & Its Youth Ministry

Last Revised on January 11, 2012

“...the success of such (catechetical) efforts rests very much on the quality and total fabric of parish life...When these various elements of parish life are weak or lacking, formal programs for adults typically do not flourish; when they are vibrant and strong, they create an overall climate of active participation and living faith...”  (Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us - A Pastoral Plan for Adult Faith Formation in the United States, USCC, 1999, p. 41)

This statement from the U.S. bishops’ recent document on adult faith formation is no less true for adolescents.  The context of adolescent faith formation is at least as important as the program.  That is why this section deals with the broader faith community and asks, “What are the necessary characteristics of the faith community that make for successful adolescent faith formation?”

Effective programs of adolescent faith formation typically happen in faith communities with:
• Youth-friendly leaders, liturgies, programs, and ministries;
• Active and meaningful youth participation in the mission and ministries of the faith community;
• Parish leaders who understand and are committed to the U.S. bishops’ vision of comprehensive youth ministry;
• A program of faith formation that is just one of a variety of vibrant youth ministry components;
• Trained and effective adult youth ministry leaders and catechists;
• Healthy cooperation/collaboration between youth ministry and catechetical leadership.

Youth-Friendly Leaders, Liturgies, Programs, and Ministries: 

Youth-friendly means that the faith community is intentional about welcoming young people into its life and activities.  Youth-friendly leaders, including pastor, staff and parish council, strive to understand and be responsive to the unique needs and culture of youth.  Youth-friendly liturgies have songs, music and homilies that are inclusive of the entire faith community, especially young people.  Youth-friendly parish programs intentionally welcome and include young people. Youth-friendly ministries utilize the abilities of young people at the service of the faith community and the broader community.

Active and Meaningful Youth Participation: 

In youth-friendly parishes, young people are visible everywhere.  They serve in liturgical ministries at Sunday Mass.  They are active and visible participants in parish renewal programs.  They sing in the choir and play instruments in music ministry.  Not only are they involved in helping to plan and lead youth ministry activities, they are warmly welcomed and mentored into appropriate parish leadership roles and may serve on a parish’s pastoral council, worship team, etc.  They are included in parish service and social activities.  Their presence is felt not only in youth ministry activities, but in every aspect of parish life.

Parish Leaders Committed to Comprehensive Youth Ministry: 

In developing youth-friendly faith communities, leadership is vital: as the leaders go, so goes the faith community.  If parish leaders, including pastor, staff and council, understand and are working towards the vision of youth ministry described in Renewing the Vision - A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry (NCCB, 1997), their commitment and efforts will bear fruit in terms of enhanced youth participation across the board.  This vision “provides a way for integrating ministry with adolescents and their families into the total life and mission of the Church, recognizing that the whole community is responsible for this ministry.  The comprehensive approach uses all of our resources as a faith community – people, ministries, programs – in a common effort to promote the three goals  of the Church’s ministry with adolescents.”  (Renewing the Vision, pp. 19, 20).

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