Team Youth News
A resource for Youth Ministers and Leaders
November 2018
The Beat on the Street
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Diocesan Wide Events
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Eastern and Western Region NET Ministries
November 17th - Seton Catholic, Plattsburgh New York
November 18th - Norfolk New York
Click Photo to view a video about NET Ministries
NET Ministries is a wonderful program brought to our Diocese through the Faith Formation office. It is totally booked at both locations with a waiting list!!
I ask that you please keep all the kids, the NET team and the department heads in your prayers as they grow closer to God in this wonderful opportunity!
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Track Course training in Carthage went great!
We had a nice turnout Saturday, November 3rd in Carthage for Track Course training.
We covered "Talking about Faith and Morality in a Secular Culture" and, "Youth Minister as a Model of Mission and Apologetics". We had some great conversations during and after the presentations and it was great to exchange ideas and thoughts on two prevalent topics in youth life. If you are interested, there is still another opportunity to attend these two courses. The next offering will be in Lake Placid at St. Agnes school on November 10th, 9am to noon. Let me know if you are interested. There is no fee to attend.
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PLANNING CHRISTMAS AND ADVENT RETREATS.
I know, I know....it's not even Thanksgiving yet but, I thought I'd share some great retreat ideas with you and as many of you know, it takes time to plan, invite parents and youth to join in and then implement an event.
Here are a couple of downloadable PDF files which give you everything you would need for a great way to prepare and celebrate the birth of Christ.
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YOUTH ACTIVITIY IDEA CORNER
Here are a few ideas I've come across that I'd like to share with you for the Fall season. If you have any ideas and activities you would like to share please, feel free to email them to me and I will post them.
"The more we share, the more we care"
Focus on "Fellowship" and Community
Thanksgiving is a great time of year to begin teaching "Habits of Fellowship".
A great way to learn and grow in your community is to get to know it!
How about asking your pastor if it would be OK to have your teens act as door greeters and ushers for a few masses in November and December. You or the adult ushers may need to give them a bit of support with regard to engaging and communicating but, nothing too difficult. A simple handshake and smile go a long way.
Another idea if you don't already have this in your parish is to offer an opportunity for parishioners to gather a bit after mass. Maybe offer coffee and snacks in the back of the church or in a parish center; Made available after mass. You will need to assist the youth with the setup and gathering of food items but, they should be the primary operators and have ample opportunities to engage others.
Ecology Awareness Project
Pope Francis reminds us of our need to take care of our “common home—the earth”.
This year Sisters of St. Joseph Faith and Ecology Groups are inviting you to submit an application to receive the Pope Francis Green Apple Award for your school/ class/ or individual student. This is a collaborative endeavor to:
(1) encourage action steps to ‘care for God’s Creation’
(2) share these activities among the schools in our Diocese.
· Some project suggestions are:
Lunch in reusable containers
Eliminating trays in the cafeteria
Going strawless in the cafeteria
Composting at school
Organic gardening
A school-wide gardening project
Studying the water cycle and the importance of clean water
Learning about one endangered species and how to protect it
Whatever creative idea you/your class/individual come up with
It’s easy to apply. Send in name, school and your email address to: Sr. Bethany Fitzgerald, SSJ srbethssj@gmal.com by Monday, Nov. 19. Mailing address is: 1425 Washington Street, Watertown, N.Y. 13601
Submission is due by March 25, 2019. Describe in a brief paragraph your Project on how it has helped to “care for our common home – the earth” You may include any posters, narratives, videos, etc. that can be shared electronically.
Everyone can receive the Pope Francis Green Apple Award. Awards will be given during the week of Earth Day (April 22, 2019).
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Name_____________________________________________________________________
Grade __________
Email address_______________________________________________________________
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Tom Semeraro
Email: tsemeraro@rcdony.org
Website: www.rcdony.org
Phone: 1-393-2920 1415
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Diocese-of-Ogdensburg-Youth-Ministry-137024036346228/
Twitter: @OburgYM