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Advocacy #6
We recognize that all parishioners have an essential role to play in pastoral ministry with young people
Context
The challenge of being transformed into a holy person is not undertaken alone but within a faith community… The longing for community touches each of us at the very core of our being. It is basic to being human. (Sons and Daughter of the Light: A Pastoral Pan for Ministry with Young Adults Washington, DC. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. 1997, pp. 19-20)
Goal
Effective and comprehensive pastoral ministry with young people calls for the investment of time, as well as prayer and attention, in order to strengthen a parish’s “web of relationships” – youth with youth, youth with adults, ministry leaders with parents, parish community with parish staff and leadership, and so on.
Suggested Implementation
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Prayer: Consistently request that the community engage in prayer (possibility in the Prayers of the Faithful) on behalf of young people and their various activities in and on behalf of the community. Consider engaging prayer sponsors for young people in sacramental preparation. Encourage parish committees to include young people in their prayer petitions
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Welcome the Generations: At parish worship, make a point to acknowledge various generations present and/or engaged in liturgical ministries. This does not need to be limited to young people alone, but can include parents on Mother’s / Father’s Day, college students returning for the summer or holidays, elementary school-aged young people, etc. Make a point of “catching young people being good” and celebrating those occasions.
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Time and Talent: Develop an annual time and talent survey to encourage adult participation in the mission of pastoral ministry within the family community. For an example, visit this link.
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Curator: Be willing to serve and/or delegate responsibility to someone who serves as a curator of the latest news regarding young people (spiritually, developmentally, culture, and media) and call the attention of the adult community to this information. Be aware of positive information and potential solutions when there is negative information. Consider including this information in homilies, bulletin announcements, and website/social networking updates.
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Cheerleader: Be willing to serve and/or delegate responsibility to celebrate both church accomplishments as well as secular achievements of young people within the faith community. Take care towards not mentioning the same families regularly. Encourage parishioners to celebrate these accomplishments with the young people.
Methods for Evaluation
Within the same calendar year as you attempt to address this concern, delegate individuals, both young and old, to ask:
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Has the parish’s sense of “ownership” in pastoral ministry with young people increased in the past year? If all ministries with young people ceased, would it be missed? Why? Why not?
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Do young people recognize the involvement of the parish community in the ministry efforts of the parish community? If the parish closed, would it be missed? Why? Why not?