Grades 6 - 12

Contact: Tena Jelinek   633-8711 (ext. 15)

To, with, by, and for youth -- Youth Ministry 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. It is the Church's mission of reaching into the daily lives of its young people -- showing them the presence of God and empowering them to become disciples of God.

Comprehensive Ministry to Adolescents: It Takes A Whole Church....The Tri-Community Youth Ministry Program, in keeping with the American Catholic Bishops' Renewing the Vision and the Tri-Community Vision, serves Tri-Community youth in 6th-12th grades.

YOUTH MINISTRY:

• Is a ministry of compassionate presence -- relational in essence.

• Is comprehensive and multi-dimensional.

• Involves youth and adult leadership development and community building.

• Encompasses evangelization, catechesis, service, worship, sacramental prep, (Confirmation, First Eucharist and Reconciliation for this age group), RCIA for youth, guidance and advocacy.

• Involves National, Diocesan and Regional activities.

• Is holistic and developmental. 

Our Catholic identity and formation are integrated into all that we do in this ministry. The program year runs from September through May; summer activities and mission trips run from June through August. Youth Ministry, including First & Second year Confirmation sessions, will be held weekly during the school year on Wednesday evenings, 6:45-8:45 p.m. in the Tri-Community Parish Center (locations may vary). Our gatherings begin with large group community building activities and opening prayer, followed by small group sessions that include Formation, Music, Hot Topics, Social Activities, Community Service and Leadership activities. Small groups are interactive, experiential, and age and developmentally appropriate.

THE YOUTH MINISTRY TEAM

The Tri-Community Youth Ministry is multicultural and intergenerational. All members of our Tri-Community parish, young and old, are responsible for the success of this ministry. The primary focus for team members in this ministry is to offer programs, activities and events that empower and foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person, drawing them to responsible participation in the life, mission and work of our Catholic faith and community. There are many opportunities to minister to the youth in our parish. The team includes the following:

• Director of Tri-Community Youth Ministry -- The facilitator, servant leader and steward of this ministry. Identifies the resources of the faith community and connects the ministry  with the other ministries and programs of the faith community.

• Tri-Community Adult Advisor Commission -- Volunteers needed: 35. This group of lay leaders is the core planning team for youth ministry. In keeping with the Vision of Youth Ministry, this formation team assists the DYM in planning, development, preparation and execution of overall Youth Ministry programming and organization. Members of this group are primary catechists for Wednesday evening sessions and chaperones for diocesan, Regional and Tri-Community off-site events.

• Tri-Community Peer Council -- Volunteers needed: 18. Utilizing the gifts and talents of Tri-Community youth, this is the youth leadership team that assists the DYM in developing programs, service projects and social activities. This group is called forth as a voice for the Tri-Community youth and members serve as peer advocates on a variety of diocesan or parish councils and committees. Leadership development is also emphasized here.

• Youth Confirmation Team -- First and Second Year -- Volunteers needed: 12 (6 for first year and 6 for second year). The two-year Confirmation formation process seeks to develop and strengthen a Confirmation candidate's faith, prayer life and sense of community. Lay leaders in this area assist in Confirmation program development and teach candidates various topics of the Catholic Christian faith. Confirmation is normally celebrated as a regional event in the late spring.

• Youth Sacramental Preparation Team -- Volunteers needed: 4-6. This formation process augments and strengthens the prayer, faith and sacramental life of youth. Catechesis for youth who have not yet received their First Reconciliation or First Eucharist is done in ten- to twelve-week blocks. This team assists with program development and implementation.

• Rite of Christian Initiation Adapted for Youth -- Volunteers needed: 6-8. The Rite of Christian Initiation is designed for youth seeking to enter the community of the faithful through the rites of Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist and the catechumenate. The team assisting the DYM with this process develops and implements the classes. Serving as companions, team members journey with these young people through the various periods and liturgical rites.

• Tri-Community Youth Ministry Retreat Team -- Volunteers needed: 25. The retreat process seeks to deepen and challenge the faith of middle and high school youth while creating a sense of community. This team is focused on assisting the DYM with the development of a Retreat Plan; choosing the retreat theme, location, activities, schedule, break-out sessions, prayer services, music and liturgy. Team members should also be able to facilitate small group discussion and love the outdoors.

• Special Projects Team(s) -- Volunteers needed: varied. In order to effectively minister to the youth of our parish, a variety of services are needed, some on-call, some on a regular basis. Teams are needed for: Communications, Refreshments, Outreach, Service, Summer Mission trips, Summer Programs, Chaperones, Drivers, Speakers, Fundraising, Prison Ministry and Social and Sports Activities.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR ADULT TEAMS

• A love of young people and a desire to share your faith with youth, especially at a time when many are exploring, and perhaps questioning, their faith.

• A willingness to initiate and develop trusting relationships with adolescents so that they may be invited to a greater awareness of and commitment to their personal Catholic Christian faith.

• Ability to advocate for youth and work in a collaborative, consensus building team environment.

• Willingness to attend the various training opportunities and meetings that will provide necessary skills for handling specific volunteer areas.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR YOUTH TEAMS OR PEER MINISTERS

• Youth who are willing to come forward with diverse gifts, talents and abilities to be used  for various leadership roles within the diocese, region and parish.

• Ability to attend various meetings and training opportunities that will provide necessary skills to handle service, leadership and project responsibilities.