St. Francis of Assisi - St. Blaise Parish

The terms “youth and young adults,” “young people,” and “the young” are used interchangeably. In the United States, the U.S. bishops recognize that “young people” include several age groups:

• Youth, are adolescents ages 12 to 18, often in junior high school and high school
• Young adults, are women and men ages 19 to 39: who are single or married, divorced or widowed, and in college, working, unemployed, incarcerated, or in the military.

Youth Ministry is the response of the Christian community to the needs of young people, and sharing of the unique gifts of youth with the larger community.

SIX ARGUMENTS FOR THE PARTICIPATION OF YOUTH / YOUNG PEOPLE IN YOUTH MINISTRY AND IN THE CHURCH

• Young people are essential members of the Body of Christ.
• They have a unique zeal for justice, faith, and love of the Gospel.
• They long for Truth, and they won’t rest until they find it.
• They challenge convention and inspire innovation.
• Young people inject a contagious energy into their communities and set hearts on fire.
• We cannot ignore young disciples for they are active witnesses to the love of Jesus Christ in our world today.

Sources:  

• http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/who-we-teach/youth-and-young-adult-ministry.cfm
• A Vision for Youth Ministry ( p. 6)

WHO IS A YOUTH IN CHRIST JESUS?

UNDERSTANDING Y – O – U – T – H

The “Y” implies that you should remember your Creator (God) in the days of your Youth. The world may say, “youthful time for pleasure, middle age for work, and old age for God.” However, the Holy Bible says “youthful time for your Creator, middle age for your Creator , and old age for your Creator.”

We find this in Ecclesiastes 12:1 which says : Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.”

The “O” means that as youth in Christ Jesus we should Organize ourselves for godly service. This is the relevance of the youth ministry, to help organize the youth of the church. As youth you can Serve God by participating in activities and in youth groups within the church. For example, members of the youth choir sing during mass, young altar servers serve with the priests on the altar, lectors proclaim the word of God etc. There are many other opportunities to serve God in the church. Serving God has the power to set you on the right path in life.

So Proverbs 22:6 states that we should “Start a youth out on his way by serving God and even when he grows old he will not depart from it”. 

The “U” admonishes us to Understand the word of God through daily reading of God’s word . He knows what is best for you, His thoughts and ways are not like ours (Isaiah 55:8-9) and will teach you through his Word how to live and what to do when things go wrong.

Jeremiah 29:11 says : For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

The “T” tells us to Teach Christ to others. We are Called as youth to be Christ to others by loving godliness and loving one another as Christ loved us. In turn Jesus Christ will work all things together for our good.

So Romans 8:28 says : And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are Called to do His will.

The “H” tells every Christian youth to Honor God through Honoring their parents, the people who care for them so that all may go well with them (Ephesians 6:1-3) ; and Honoring others : brothers and sisters, friends, and neighbors by respecting and loving them as they would do for themselves.

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI-ST. BLAISE YOUTH MINISTRY VISION

Theme: Be The Light of the World

Main Goal : Youth Participation

Goal 1. :To increase youth participation in the parish by ministering to them and with them through evangelization, encouraging participation at mass, encouraging participation in youth groups within the parish, encouraging participation in youth activities as well as engagement with other young people at the deanery, diocesan, national and international levels.

Sub-Goals : Empowerment, Participation, & Spiritual growth

Goal 1.1 : To empower young people in the parish to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today

Goal 1.2: To draw young people in the parish to responsible participation in life , mission , and work of the catholic faith community

Goal 1.3: To foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person in the parish

 Target Age Group

• Youth – 12 to 18 years
• Young Adults – 18 to 23 years

Core Values  of the Youth Ministry Program at St. Francis of Assisi-St. Blaise Parish

Becoming a Youth in Christ Jesus, Becoming a part of the youth ministry program at St. Francis of Assisi Parish will help our children, our youth, our young people, our present and our future church to:

Value 1: Remember and Acknowledge God, the Creator of all things

Value 2: Serve God through His church

Value 3: Understand the Word of God through reading the Holy Bible

Value 4: Show or be Christ to others for we are Called to fulfill this Purpose

 Value 5: Honor God through honoring others in Respect and Love

Strategy to Achieve Goals of the Youth Ministry

Strategy 1: Spiritual Development involves Bible Study; Time of Prayer, Praise, and Worship; and Retreat for Lent and Advent. 

Strategy 2: Creativity, Education and Sports involves Artwork, Religious Skits, Games and Retreat on Health and Academic Success.

Strategy 3: Teen leadership / Involvement involves the biannual election of teen leaders and active participation of youth as lectors, ushers, altar servers, and choristers during mass.

Strategy 4: Life Beyond the Parish involves youth evangelization and leadership conferences between July and August  and community service activities. 

Strategy 5: Entertainment involves Movie, Talent and Fashion nights. 

We hope that the youth of this parish will participate in all of the youth ministry’s programs and activities to ensure its success. We also ask you our parents and parishioners to support us in any way you can. Finally, we ask for God’s guidance and grace to achieve the vision of the youth ministry.