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Closing Discussion

-What have been your experiences of engaging YA in parish life?

-Questions/Reflections?

What Parishes Can Do Tomorrow

to Open Wide the Doors

to Young Adults

YA Ministry Resources

Books:

-Sons and Daughers of the Light, USCCB

-Conneting Young Adults to Catholic Parishes, USCCB

-The Basic Guide to Young Adult Ministry, Fr. John Cusick and Kate DeVries

Online Resources:

-YAM in a Box, (Busted Halo.com)

-The Center for Ministry Development (cmdnet.org)

-National Catholic Young Adult Ministry Association, NCYAMA.org

Jonathan Lewis

Faith Formation Conference 2012

Collaborate

Not every parish has the population, resources, or personnel needed to do comprehensive ministry with young adults. But every parish can be more responsive to the needs and gifts that young adults bring”

-Joan Weber, Connecting YA to Catholic Parishes

-Recruit a YA team at your parish

-Talk with other parishes or your local deanery about how they are currently engaging YA and how you can work together

-Use Diocesan and National resources

Where are the YA? in your parish?

Communicate

-Invest in a modern and highly functional parish website

-Create a parish FB page and Twitter handle (secondary),

invite a YA to assist/update

-Publicize service opportunities within your parish specifically to YA (link to Catholic Charities or local non profits)

-Have a button or tab on your website that says: "Young Adults"

-Create a list of YA (ages 18-39)

-Places to look for YA..in the pews, Catechists and Catholic school teachers, YM leaders, past Confirmation teens, RCIA candidates, Marriage Preparation, Baptismal Preparation, parents of young children, CYO coaches, college students, seminaries, AA, volunteer orgainizations (TFA, JVC, etc.), ethnic-specific ministires (Pastoral Juvanil, Jovenes Para Cristos, Singles for Christ, Couples for Christ, etc.)

-Where else?... (24% of 20-34 year olds live at home!)

Advocate

-Formally assess current programs and ministries through the eyes of a YA

-Identify a volunteer liason/primary contact for YA parishioners

-Promote a preferential option for YA in every aspect of parish life

-Set aside ministry opportunities for YA participation (apprenticing new leaders is at the heart of all ministries)

-Empower parish staff, ministry leaders and council/committee leaders to include YA in leadership or at least talk with YA regularly including before and after programs and events

-Purchase YA resources for parish office and talk with your pastor, parish staff, ministry leaders and council and committee members about the shocking statistics about YA leaving the church

Gift and Challenges

What are YA looking for?

What challenges does ministry with YA offer?

-don’t register, highly mobile (psychic mobility, physical mobility, relationship mobility), don’t always commit, not long-range planners, many stages of YA life, limited resources, busy, need for critical mass

Build Relationships and Community

What gifts/opportunities does a ministry with YA offer?

-energetic, creative, well educated, active, knowledge of contemporary culture, technological and media skills, ability to relate to younger generations and peers, highly spiritual, desire for intimacy and community, don't carry baggage of older generations, highly tolerent of different beliefs and faiths

Faith communities that understand young adults form relationships with them before extending an invitation to attend programs”

1. Community and Belonging (a faith community where everybody knows your name)

2. Dynamic Liturgies

3. Spiritual Growth and Enrichment

4. Religious education and Catholic identity

5. Guidance and direction in life

6. Acceptance and support

7. Opportunities for service and leadership

8. Social activities

9. A community that shares common values

10. Inspiration and rejuvenation

3 Invitations

1. Holiness

2. Community

3. Service

-Joan Weber, Connecting YA to Catholic Parishes

-In existing programs: marriage preparation, baptismal preparation, RCIA, Religious Education parents, etc.

-In new programs or activities:Theology on Tap, small faith communities, college care packages, professional networking, etc.

-By inviting YA to mentor others: YM, CYO, RE, tuoring, etc.

-"The Jesus Method"

-Sidewalk Theory

(From Connecting YA to Catholic Parishes)

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