January: Youth Ministry Updates
Diocese of Ogdensburg
Happy New Year!
Register for Camp Guggenheim!
2017 Schedule
12 - 15 year-olds
Week 1: July 2nd - July 7th
Week 2: July 9th – July 14th
Week 3: July 16th – July 21st
Week 4: July 23rd – July 28th
Week 5: July 30th – Aug. 4th
16 - 18 year-olds
Week 6: Aug. 6th – Aug. 11th
Encourage youth to register today!
Random Tips
Discipleship:
Helping youth to feel welcomed at youth events is necessary for them to build authentic relationships with other youth and youth leaders and for them to feel confident in inviting friends to come to youth events. In addition to youth knowing that they are individually valued, a warm atmosphere will help youth learn how to welcome others from your example. A few simple ideas to do this:
-Have a youth leader at the door greeting each child as they enter the event
-Send out a "thanks for coming" postcard after a child's first event or a "we've missed you" postcard after a child has missed several events
-Go to youths' athletic games/musical performances/etc.
-Try to learn something new about two youth participants during each session through informal conversation
-Send birthday cards
Service:
Many groups try to focus on the Works of Mercy to guide their service projects, which is an excellent idea! Visiting the Imprisoned is a Corporal Work of Mercy that many groups struggle to incorporate. One idea for a service project that youth can participate in to minister to those in prison is a magazine drive. Youth can advertise and organize drop-off points for parishioners/community members to donate unwanted magazines. The youth can then make sure that all address labels have been ripped off of the magazines, before boxing up the magazines for area prisons (make sure you check with the prison you intend to donate to first to make sure they're accepting magazine donations).
As Lent approaches, many youth ministry programs try to plan sessions that help youth develop a fuller understanding of Lent and prepare themselves for a fruitful Lent.
These are a few resources that may be helpful:
A brief video that gives an overview of Ash Wednesday and Lent: http://bustedhalo.com/video/ash-wednesday-in-two-minutes.
Six separate plans that include prayer, an activity, and a video that focus on a theme of Catholic Social Teaching and a country/diocese (The website begins with some younger lesson plans, but if you scroll down, there is a youth ministry section). This correlates with Catholic Relief Services' Operation Rice Bowl: http://www.crsricebowl.org/schools
Some "True/False" questions about Lent that can be used in a simple game, prayer materials, and discussion questions (The PowerPoint for the fourth activity doesn't work, but 1-3 have some helpful ideas): http://www.rethinkingyouthministry.com/2008/02/ideas-for-lent-3-youth-bible-study.html
Register for the High School Youth Rally
This full-day youth rally open to grades 9-12 will feature keynote speaker Paul J. Kim, prayer, games, workshops, and Mass celebrated by Bishop LaValley.
Each group attending needs to have one Virtus-trained and background-checked adult for each eight students. The youth leader must initially register all students, and then students' parents will be complete the waiver forms, etc. Youth leaders can register themselves and youth at www.rcdony.org/youthrally/rally.
The registration fee is $25 for those registered before April 1, and $30 after April 1.
If there is a teen interested in attending who does not have a group going from his/her parish, please contact Kelly at kdonnelly@rcdony.org.
Register for Lenten Retreats
March 25 in Malone.
March 26 in Canton.
Teens can register at www.rcdony.org/lentenretreat
Adult volunteers are needed. Please consider helping out at one of the retreats as an adult leader - - email Kelly at kdonnelly@rcdony.org for more information and/or to volunteer.
Register for Catholic Heart Work Camp
Teens spend an unforgettable week putting their faith into action through service. The week also includes many opportunities for dynamic prayer experiences and fellowship.
Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity! Students in grades 9-12 can register by emailing chwc.ogdensburg@gmail.com.
National Catholic Youth Conference
Upcoming Events
January 22: Lifeteen. "Unexpected Gifts." Food, prayer, games. 6:00-8:00 at St. Peter's Church in Plattsburgh. Email plattsburghlifeteen@gmail.com
January 26-28: Youth Buses for Life. Please keep all the youth and adults attending this pilgrimage in your prayers!
February 12: Lifeteen. "Lost Ark." Food, prayer, games. 6:00-8:00 in Plattsburgh. Email plattsburghlifeteen@gmail.com
If there is an upcoming event in your parish/region that you would like shared, please email Kelly at kdonnelly@rcdony.org.
A Prayer for the New Year
We pray that this New Year will bring us closer to You.
May we take the time to get to know You.
Help us to truly celebrate the gifts You have graciously given us and use them to serve You and spread Your word.
May we also see and love You in all the people we meet,
so that in turn, they can see You in us.
We know that all human relations take time if they are to grow and deepen. This is also true of our relations with You, which must continue to grow over the course of our lives.
In this new year, let us realize that every action of ours, no matter how great or small, enables us to be in touch with You.
Let us accept You in our lives, in the way it pleases You,
as Truth, to be spoken,
as Life, to be lived,
as Light, to be lighted,
as Love, to be followed,
as Joy, to be given,
as Peace, to be spread about,
as Sacrifice, to be offered among our relatives, friends, neighbors, and all people.
Modified from catholicdoors.com