Youth Ministry
Saint Edward the Confessor Parish develops and implements catechetical programs for grades 7-12 within the framework of a comprehensive youth ministry. In keeping with the framework for Catholic Youth Ministry developed by the Catholic Bishops of the United States and detailed in Renewing the Vision, the program at Saint Edward Parish seeks to be developmentally appropriate for particular grade levels, family friendly, intergenerational, multi-cultural, engaging a variety of leaders, and implementing flexible and adaptable programming.
The Youth Ministry effort for grades 7-12 strives to include the following components of comprehensive ministry:
· Through a variety of service projects, lectures, and activities young people in grades 7-12 gain a deeper understanding of the needs of the elderly, homeless, infirm, and others in need. The parish’s Respect Life committee is working with youth ministry to implement greater awareness of the challenges to the sanctity of human life. Confirmation students and Peer Ministers engage in extensive dialog on this issue during the academic year.
· Youth serve on the parish council, participate in all ministries of the Church, including the music ministry, lectors, Eucharistic ministry, and the ministry of religious education.
· A planning committee of young people and adult leaders meets weekly to develop and implement comprehensive youth ministry within the parish.
· Formal classes are offered in grades 7 through 10. Peer Ministry provides a venue for continuing catechisis in grades 11 and 12.
· Retreat experiences are offered in grades 7, 9 and 10 and serve as an important tool in deepening the meaning and effect of catechisis.
· Parents and other adults serve as the primary teachers of youth, working in teams at each grade level. Older adolescents also take an active role as part of these teams, including leading and staffing retreats.
· A curriculum framework guides the development, implementation, and progression of religious education classes from grades 7-10.
· Youth Group meetings take place once a month for grades 9-12. These meetings include an opportunity for prayer, reflection on the Gospel, socializing, and discussion of moral issues. On average over 100 youth attend these meetings.
· Peer Ministry meets weekly for young people in grades 10-12 who desire to go deeper into an examination of faith issues. An average of 50 youth attend these meetings.
· Young people are encouraged to take part in every aspect of the parish, including parish ministries and activities.
· Additional activities and youth group events are being planned and implemented for younger adolescents in grades 7 and 8. Some activities were piloted during 1999-2000 with great success.
· Peer ministers play a very important role in the work of the parish, speaking to classes of younger students, teaching religious education, providing witness talks, and leading retreats.
· Saint Edward Parish will host the National Evangelization Teams in April, 2001. This team will work with young people in grades 9-12 to bring greater awareness about the idea of evangelization and to help spread the Gospel message within the parish.
· The Youth Ministry approach within Saint Edward Parish includes several outreach efforts. In addition to an array of activities and meetings, support groups for young people with addictive problems are being formed during the current year.
· Young people in grades 7-10 participate in a range of activities and service projects aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of justice and service. Service days are planned twice a year for grade 8. Service projects are required for grades 9 and 10.
· Significantly, the Peer Ministry group is planning and implementing a variety of service projects during the coming year.
· Speakers and activities throughout all of the grade 7-10 programs include individuals and activities designed to bring greater awareness of and sensitivity to Catholic Social teaching, including issues pertaining to the dignity of human life.
· Peer Ministers are the primary leadership group for youth ministry. They plan and implement specific programs for youth ministry and are supported by an adult team trained in the basic principles of youth ministry.
· Teams of adults and youths comprise the teams that are responsible for leading classes for grades 7-10. Other adult volunteers support these ministries in a variety of functions and roles.
· A Youth Ministry Board meets throughout the year and includes parents and other adults who help guide and support youth ministry in the parish.
· Saint Edward Parish collaborates with other parishes, the public schools, police department, and social workers to better understand the needs of young people and to respond to youth issues in a holistic way.
· Particular ministries aimed at the pastoral care of young people include crisis intervention, support groups for addictive behaviors, and divorce or separation within the family.
· Parental awareness programs including workshops on the developmental needs of young people are offered during the year.
· In 1999 the parish introduced a 6:00 PM Mass that is open to the community and widely attended by young people. Youth are actively involved in planning and implementing this ministry. They are also actively involved in other parish liturgies.
· Peer Ministry is specifically intended to provide opportunities for young people to experience a wide range of prayer and liturgy. The purpose of the Peer Ministry program is to support young people who are already involved in a particular ministry of the church, and to nourish their faith and interest.
Grade 7-10 programs include a variety of prayer experiences and liturgies. In grade 7 young people visit the Cathedral of the Holy Cross during a liturgy celebrated by Cardinal Law. Also in grade 7 students participate in a retreat and penance service. In grades 9 and 10 students also take part in retreats which include the Sacrament of Reconciliation.