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Parish Youth Ministry Leadership Committee

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Parish Youth Ministry Leadership Committee

Last Revised on October 07, 2013

The Parish Youth Ministry Leadership Committee will oversee the parish's response to the needs of its young people. The committee serves as a subcommittee of the Christian Formation Committee. Its membership includes representatives from multiple youth-serving entities within the parish as well as parish leadership. Their primary goal is to be the "keeper of the vision" for a parish’s ministry to its young. For a full outlined of this committee's membership and responsibility, please click here.

Comprehensive Youth Ministry is the response the of the parish community to the needs of all young people. Adult leaders in ministry must always remember that the parish community is nothing more than a group of people drawn together by a common faith. If ministry with young people does not constantly draw these youth into the life, mission, and ministry of the parish community, it is not effective. With every activity, adult leaders must ask, "How have I integrated young people into the greater community?"

To do this, adult leaders themselves must be converted and they must continue to be converted. Adult communities whose faith is well formed will more effectively pass on that faith (Our Hearts Were Burning, #40).

Many young people today are experience rich and language poor. Adult leaders in ministry must provide more than experiences of faith. Young people must be provided with opportunities to understand the experiences through theological reflection and thoughtful discussions. Adult leaders must remember that it is a privilege to share our faith.

To that end, adult leaders in ministry must know well who they are as children of God, they must know what they believe and they must have the courage to share that belief with young people. Like the Good Shepherd whose sheep understand to whom they belong, we must help young people understand that they belong to God. This starts by helping young people understand that they belong to a family, namely, a parish. In the end, we do not have parishes with youth ministry and those without. Rather, we have parishes in relationship with young people and those who are not.

Related Policies:

Every parish is to have a Youth Ministry Leadership Committee. 456