This Issue

• The Future Is in the Hands of the Young
• For Principals and School Boards
• For Educators
• For Parents
• Forming Adult Faith
• Compendium Corner

The Future Is in the Hands of the Young

As we hit the height of the summer season, it is a good juncture to examine the past, present, and future of the world in which we lead and guide young people. In 1997, the bishops published Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry in which they wrote:

The Church and world need the faith, gifts, energy, and fresh ideas of young people. The entire Church, and in a special way ministry with adolescents, must empower young people for their mission in the world. We must ensure that young people are well equipped for their special mission in the world. All of our efforts to promote an active Christian discipleship and growth in Catholic identity must lead toward mission. This is our special responsibility to the young generation. We pray with the whole Church that we can meet the challenge of Gaudium et Spes; ". . . the future of humanity lies in the hands of those who are strong enough to provide coming generations with reasons for living and hoping" (no. 31).

To that end, the bishops identified three goals for ministry with adolescents.

1. To empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today.
T
2. o draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic faith community.
3. To foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person

In this issue of To Teach, we offer some questions and resources for reflection on the past, present, and future for and with our young people.

Back to Top

For Principals and School Boards

• Provide each school board member with a copy of Renewing the Vision:  A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry.
• Plan a school board workshop for late summer to develop an overall plan for the school to incorporate the goals, based on a comprehensive model of ministry with young people.
• Research other Catholic schools who may have done something similar to benchmark some of their most effective practices.
• Invite diocesan directors of youth ministry to facilitate the board workshop.
• Research other catholic schools who have full time youth ministers and visit with them regarding the benefits of a campus youth minister and suggestions for funding the position.
• Plan a follow-up workshop/workday for staff/educators on incorporating the goals for ministry with adolescents into their classroom.

Back to Top

For Educators

• Read the document Renewing the Vision:  A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry.
• To prepare for a staff/educators workday, reflect on ways you personally can incorporate the goals for ministry with young people into daily interactions with students and parents.
• Reflect on opportunities you have to affirm, support and promote the work of other staff members/educators in your school.
• Develop a theme for the year of inviting, empowering and enabling students to be the best that they can be.
• Reflect back on a significant teacher during your own life whose influence remains with you today.  What is it about that person that you remember the most?  How did that person invite, empower and enable you to be the best that you could be?

Back to Top

For Parents

• Read the document Renewing the Vision:  A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry.
• Based on the three goals for ministry with adolescents, how do I see their school and our parish empowering young people to live as disciples of Jesus in the world today?  How are young people drawn into participation in the life, mission and work of our Catholic faith community?  How does our school and our parish foster the total personal and spiritual growth of our children?
• Based on the themes and components for a comprehensive ministry with adolescents, how do I answer the following questions?
  • Is our parish family friendly?  How do we show this?
  • Does our parish celebrate the intergenerational make up of its members?
  • How does our parish celebrate its cultural diversity?
  • How does our parish and school form its young leaders?
  • How adaptable are the school’s and parish’s programs?
  • How is our parish and school involved with the larger community?
  • How does our parish and school advocate for young people in the larger community?
• How am I involved in the empowerment and enablement of young people in our parish?
• What are 2-3 things that I can do during the coming year to be a voice for young people in our community?

Back to Top

Forming Adult Faith

"Forming Adult Faith" is a new feature of To Teach. It includes suggestions from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults (USCCA) on how to promote ongoing faith formation among the adults in your school community.

These chapters from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults unpack the beliefs of the Church, especially the themes of redemption and Resurrection that we celebrate during Easter.

• Chapter 28. The Fourth Commandment: Strengthen Your Family

Both individuals and groups—a full staff or a grade level gathering—can use the following suggestions. Most suggestions can be completed in 10-15 minutes.

• In a journal, write the three discussion questions on a separate page. During the week, read one section of one chapter each day, then reread and respond to the discussion questions each day, noting any new insights or reflections. At the end of the week, review your overall reflection. Share your insights with a colleague, your spouse, or a close friend.
• Begin your reflection with the prayer. After reading one section of chapter, reflect on and jot down any new insights you have gained regarding the prayer and the paschal mystery of Jesus' death and Resurrection.

Back to Top

Compendium Corner

"Compendium Corner" provides a list of questions and answers in the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church that are related to this month’s topic. (The number before the question is the question number in the Compendium.)

• Review the questions and answers in preparation for your class.
• Consider how to use appropriate questions and answers as part of your lesson plan.
• Develop learning activities that help youths and young adults learn this information by heart (memorization).
  

401.  In what does the social dimension of man consist?
402.  What is the relationship between the person and society?
403.  What is the principle of subsidiarity?
404.  What else is required for an authentic human society?
455.  What does the fourth commandment require?
456.  What is the nature of the family in the plan of God?
457.  What place does the family occupy in society?
458.  What are the duties that society has toward the family?
459.  What are the duties of children toward their parents?
460.  What are the duties of parents toward their children?
461.  How are parents to educate their children in the Christian faith?

To obtain a copy of the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, visit www.usccbpublishing.org or call 800-235-8722.

Back to Top

Past Issues