Diocesan Youth Ministry Training

CERTIFICATE OF COMPREHESIVE YOUTH MINISTRY TRAINING COURSES
(30 Hours total)

If you would like to host one of the 2 hour workshops in your parish, call the Diocesan Youth Office.

Open to: Pastors/Associate Pastors, Deacons, Youth Ministers Coordinators, Prospective Youth Minister Leaders, Directors of Religious Education, 7-12^th grade catechists, Youth Ministry Teams (Volunteers) and Youth Ministry Leaders (Quinceañera, RCIA, Liturgy etc.)

REGISTRATION: Call the Diocesan Youth Office eight (8) days prior to the training to rsvp.
MUST CALLL 806-383--2243 EXT 118 IF PLANNING ON ATTENDING THE TRAINING!

Cost: NONE

Dates: Certification training dates can be found on the following page: http://www.amarillodiocese.org/certification-training-dates

Overview of Youth Ministry (Comprehensive Youth Ministry 101)
This workshop helps parish leaders come to fuller understanding of comprehensive youth ministry as outlined in Renewing the Vision:  A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry (USCCB, 1997).  The workshop explores the ways that a parish can effectively minister to young people within the context of the parish, including the family and wider community.

General Guidelines of Youth Ministry (Diocese of Amarillo) - hand out on your own
The guidelines stated are meant to answer general questions for youth ministers pertaining to proper care of minors.  This training focuses on Policy and Procedures, Code of Ethics, Parish Crisis Plan and all Forms Overview of Parish Diocesan National and World Events.

Advocacy
Interpreting the needs of youth and their families, especially the social problems facing them and acting with or on behalf of youth and their families for a change in the systems (policies, procedures, programs) which create or contribute to the social problems; inviting them to address the social problems that they face.

Catechesis
Sponsoring youth toward maturity in Catholic Christian faith as a living reality through the kind of teaching and learning that emphasizes understanding, reflection, and transformation; fostering in youth a communal identity as Catholic Christians within the intergenerational community of faith and helping them to develop their own personal faith identity (the Challenge of Adolescent Catechesis).

Community Life
Creating an environment which nurtures meaningful relationships among youth and between youth and adults characterized by gospel values (e.g. acceptance of all people, trust, respect, cooperation, honesty, taking responsibility, willingness to serve); helping young people feel like a valued part of the church community; providing opportunities for social interaction and meaningful participation in the life of the church and civic community.

Evangelization
Proclaiming through word and witness the good News of the Gospel to youth who have not yet heard or seen it and inviting them into a relationship with Jesus Christ and the community of believers; ongoing witness of the faith community as it attempts to live out the Gospel with such authenticity that the faith of all the members is sustained and nourished. Evangelization is the energizing core of all the components of youth ministry (the Challenge of Catholic Youth Evangelization).

Justice and Service
Guiding young people in the development of a social consciousness and a commitment to a life of justice and service grounded in their faith in Jesus Christ, in the scriptures and in Catholic social teaching; empowering young people (and their families) to work for justice by concrete efforts to address the causes of human suffering, to serve those in need, to pursue peace, and to defend the life, dignity, and rights of all people; infusing the concepts of justice and peace into all youth ministry efforts.

Leadership Development/Enablement
Recruiting, training, and supporting youth and adult leaders in youth ministry; empowering youth for leadership and ministry with their peers, in their schools, and in their church and civic community; developing a leadership team of youth and adults to organize and coordinate a ministry with youth; partnering with parents and families in promoting positive youth development and faith growth.

Pastoral Care
Promoting positive youth and family development through a variety of preventive strategies (e.g., developing life skills and parenting skills); caring for youth and families in crisis through support, counselling, and referral to appropriate community agencies; and providing guidance as youth face life decisions and make moral choices.

Prayer and Worship
Assisting young people in deepening their relationship with Jesus through spiritual development and a personal prayer life; providing a variety of communal prayer and worship experiences with youth to deepen and celebrate their relationship with Jesus in a caring Christian community; involving young people in the sacramental life of the Church.