What is Youth Ministry in the Catholic Church and Christ by the Sea Catholic Collaborative?

This past year, we offered various events for high school and middle school students with limited success such as Christian Service Projects, Cook-outs, Red Sox Game, Six Flags, and a game night).  Families and young people have expressed that they liked the ideas, but often it came down to scheduling conflicts or the classic question “WHO ELSE IS GOING?”  However, we are not giving up! Rather we are learning from these experiences to improve. 

In the coming weeks and months – the Christ by the Sea Catholic Collaborative will be laying out plans to offer a comprehensive youth ministry program for both middle school youth and high school young people.   

You may be asking yourself – what is our guide to offering a comprehensive youth ministry program in our two parishes?  The guide coming from the US Bishops’ document called Renewing the Vision – A Framework of Catholic Youth Ministry approved in June 1997.  This document is just as important and relevant in 2023 as it was when it came out in 1997.  How we approach youth ministry might be different now, but the goals and components of youth ministry are the same. 

The three goals of youth ministry are: 

• “to empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today.” 

• “to draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic faith community.” 

• “to foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person.”   

Youth ministry is more than programs and events. It is “the response of the Christian community to the needs of young people, and the sharing of the unique gifts of youth with the larger community.” To be most effective, this is a ministry to, with, by, and for young people that involves their families, their parish community, and the larger community. At the heart of ministry with young people is the presence of caring, supportive relationships where youth experience the Good News in the flesh. 

A comprehensive approach to youth ministry utilizes the eight components identified in Renewing the Vision as a framework: advocacy, catechesis, community life, evangelization, justice and service, leadership development, pastoral care, and prayer and worship. These components guide our efforts in proclaiming the Good News, connecting young people with the faith community, and calling our young people to the challenge of discipleship. 

Our middle school youth ministry will be open to all youth in middle school regardless of if they attend Faith Formation or are from Cohasset or Hull.  That same invitation is also open to the high school program.  A young person does not need to be confirmed or to go through the Confirmation Preparation Program to come to an event.  All young people are part of the program because they are young people.  Young people are welcome to attend one event or many. 

We will be offering opportunities for young people to be part of the Church and to have an encounter with Jesus.  In the fall, some of those opportunities may include apple picking and pie baking, Celtics game, snowtubing, Christian Service occasions, movie night, game night, scripture study during Advent, fundraiser for youth ministry, participating in ministries at Mass (altar server, lector, Eucharistic Minister, music minister), Christmas in the City, a mystery all-nighter, mission trips for mode school youth, high school and college aged college ages young people and many other prospects that haven’t been brought up here. 

For these two programs to exist – we need middle school youth and high school young people to get involved.  We are looking for student leaders that are willing to help develop, advertise and assist in running the prospects that are offered.  We will gather monthly to plan upcoming programs. 

It is essential that we have strong young adults and adult leaders to make youth ministry possible.  There are so many different roles to be part of within our youth ministry team – event coordinators, administrative support, food and supplies coordinators, fundraisers, and a ministry of presence.  You do not need to be a parent of a young person to be a leader.  We are looking for leaders that have a love and respect for youth and young people, of the Church and of Jesus. 

If you are interested in being involved or if you would like more information on how your family attends an event – reach out to Jim Flanagan at [email protected] or come by the collaborative offices for a cup of tea! 

Please pray for our ministry, leaders and most importantly – our young people.