Youth Ministries
Helping youth navigate through their teen years is quite a challenge. Navigating through all the youth ministry resources is also quite a challenge. This site will provide resources to help you navigate through all the clutter and find solid youth ministry resources and help you connect with other youth ministers through the diocese. Just like it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a village of successful youth ministers to advocate for our teens in their Church, our Church! The more we work together the better our ministry will be for all teens of our diocese!
We also recognize that Youth Ministry is much more than “youth group” or a “teen mass.” It involves providing opportunities for ALL teens to interact with and experience God in ways that are meaningful for them. We will provide resources to help you create gatherings of youth, for youth, including and looking further than the traditional “youth group.”
FOR all Youth and Youth Ministers: Diocese of Tucson YouthFest, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011. Tucson Convention Center. We welcome Jesse Manibusan as our Keynote presenter and the Ike Ndolo Band as our House Music. Registration Packet | Poster
FOR Adults involved or interested in Youth Ministry: National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry – ORLANDO!! A conference you won’t want to miss – Nov 29 - Dec. 2, 2012. Mark your calendars NOW!
Ministries and Organizations
Diocese of Tucson YOUTH MINISTRY Yahoo Group
For all youth ministers, paid or volunteer positions, as well as anyone who works with teens including Parish youth groups, Movements, Retreats, etc. This is a group, that once you subscribe, you can receive updates on events at the parish, diocesan, regional, national level, and you can post your events, questions, and comments.
National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM)
The NFCYM is a great site for resources, such as the Training In-Services newest offering to engage parents fully in the faith formation of teens and children. Strong Catholic Families: Strong Catholic Teens is a unique two-part training program available fall 2009
The mission of the NFCYM is to serve those who serve the young church.
Vision Statement: We, the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, participate in the mission of the Catholic Church by advocating for and supporting Catholic youth ministry on the national, diocesan, and local level…
National Association of Catholic Youth Ministry Leaders (NACYML)
The National Association of Catholic Youth Ministry Leaders is a professional organization of ordained and lay ecclesial ministers dedicated to the field of youth ministry open to adults who:
--view their role in youth ministry as a vocation
--are committed to ongoing professional development and ministry formation
--are connected to a Catholic parish, school, diocese, or youth serving agency
--dedicated to strengthening and supporting its members in their ministerial practice and professional development
--a member-driven organization
The Diocese of Tucson Catholic Committee on Scouting serves the Catalina and Grand Canyon Councils of the Boy Scouts of America, Sahuaro Council of Girl Scouts USA and the Campfire Boys and Girls of America. The Committee is dedicated to promoting Duty to God at each level of Scouting. We are affiliated with the National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS), an advisory to the Boy Scouts of America, National Catholic Committee on Girl Scouts and Camp Fire, and Region 13 of the NCCS (and NFCYM).
Each year the Committee holds several events to promote Catholic Scouting. These events include a Boy Scout Religious Retreat, a Bishop's Mass and Youth Religious Emblem Recognition Ceremony, Scouter Development, Religious Emblems Counselor Training, and Bishop's Adult Recognition Dinner.
The National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS) is a committee of concerned Catholic lay people and clergy who see as their mission the constructive use of the program of the Boy Scouts of America as a great form of comprehensive youth ministry with the Catholic youth in our diocese, inline with Renewing the Vision. Scouting IS youth ministry!
Venturing (another option) is a youth development program of the Boy Scouts of America for young men and women who are 14 (and have completed the eighth grade) through 20 years of age. Venturing's purpose is to provide positive experiences to help young people mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults
The Columbian Squires, the official youth organization of the Knights of Columbus, is a leadership development program for young Catholic men, 10-18 years old. Your parish Knights of Columbus will help you organize your Squires. If you are interested in starting a Squires Circle at your parish, talk to your Knights of Columbus, or if you do not have a council at your parish, find one at a neighboring parish.
St. Joseph’s Youth Camp is proudly sponsored by the Arizona Knights of Columbus. It is a non-profit camp for all children between 8 -15 years old. Situated outside of Flagstaff in the Coconino National Forest near Mormon Lake, the Camp offers a refreshing change form Arizona’s hot summers. For more information, talk to your local Knights of Columbus council or visit the Camp's Website.
Publishers and Resources
(Listing of the publishers and resources below does not constitute endorsement by the Diocese of Tucson.)
NFCYM Online Store
St. Mary's Press
Lifeteen
Center for Ministry Development
Group
YM Central
Harcourt Religion Publishers
Key Documents Available
Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry
This is the document which guides comprehensive youth ministry in the United States. It outlines the three goals and eight objectives of successful youth ministry. http://www.nccbuscc.org/laity/youth/rtvcontents.shtml
Has Our Vision Been Renewed – article by Bob McCarty, Exec. Dir. for NFCYM
In this article, Bob looks at where comprehensive ministry is today compared to the vision that was outlined in Renewing the Vision.
The State of Adolescent Catechesis
This report was done in late 2005 and outlines the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats to adolescent catechesis. This document will open you your eyes to the great potential our youth have and pitfalls we need to watch out for as we minister with them. http://www.nfcym.org/resources/components/adocatechesis/documents/MonographTwoOctober2005.pdf
40 Developmental Assets of Teenagers
Take a look at this to see what teenagers need as they grow.
Scouting is Youth Ministry
Scouting is comprehensive youth ministry. There are great parallels between scouting programs and Renewing the Vision. This document will show you how scouting might enhance your comprehensive parish youth ministry. http://www.nccs-bsa.org/pdf/16-451ScoutingisYouthMinistry.pdf