The Diocese of Wilmington's Response to COVID-19.
Keep up-to-date on local, national, and international news during this challenging time. Visit www.TheDialog.org
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Wilmington provides essential services to the community.
Spiritual, Social and service events for those 18-35 whether you are single, dating, married or divorced; with or without children…this is for you. You do not have to belong to SMM - All are welcome! Email the contact to receive the events newsletter or follow us on Facebook.
E-Mail: smmyouth@smmchurch.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yamsmm
Webpage: https://www.smmchurch.org/yam
Holy Cross ACTS offers young adult Catholics in Central Delaware an environment to meet and develop friendship through prayer, fellowship, and service; to deepen our relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ; and to explore traditions, theology, and history of the Church.
For more information:
email: acts@holycrossdover.org
Facebook: facebook.com/holycrossacts
Webpage: http://holycrossdover.org/connecting-to-our-parish/young-adult
A young adult ministry serving the greater Wilmington-Newark area, Wilmington Catholic Adults (WilCYA) strives to connect young adults in their 20s and 30s with the Catholic Church through spiritual, social, and services activites. Please join us!
E-Mail: WilCYA.info@gmail.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/SMYPP/
Webpage: www.WilCYA.com
Parishes and schools are encouraged to have young people carry the cross into parish or school liturgies as a witness to our responsibility to share this symbol of Christ’s love. You may also wish to have the cross present during retreats as a part of prayer space, to use it as part of a prepared prayer service, or to be creative and think of your own ways to utilize the cross in your ministry. Remember that it is a diocesan cross, so in time, thousands of young people will have carried it, prayed before it, and been inspired by it.
Use the Hosting the Cross resource to plan your experience with the cross and to answer any questions you might have. Use the Resource Packet for suggested prayers and activities.
Download Hosting the Cross Resource Packet
In times of grief or crisis, most of us find consolation in doing some activity, something that ritualizes our feelings of sadness. The Pastoral Cross can be a powerful tool to help young people cope. It can help them focus on their loss and/or the disruption in their lives. Of course, the act of placing one’s prayers and notes in this beautifully crafted symbol of the Resurrection is a humbling reminder that Jesus is our source for all our healing and hope.
Use of the Pastoral Cross is reserved for the death of a young person or the death of adult who plays a significant role in the lives of young people. The Pastoral Cross is not intended for use to commemorate the anniversary of death, be used during an extended illness of a young person, or to hold vigil when someone is injured (even seriously). Put more simply, the Diocesan Pastoral Cross is reserved for use in a faith community for those sad times when a young person or adult who is active in that community can no longer be physically present. They are rare exceptions.
View Requesting the Pastoral Cross
For more than 90 years, Saint Francis Hospital has served the Wilmington community and Northern New Castle County by providing compassionate health care of the highest quality. Founded by the Sisters of Saint Francis of Philadelphia in 1924, Saint Francis heeds a particular call to serve those in need. Our ministry is to serve all who require expert medical care regardless of religion, race, color, creed or economic status.
Sunday offerings are critical to the ongoing vitality and sustainability of parishes to carry out the Mission of Jesus Christ. Parish offerings can be made online for those who are able to continue supporting our parishes.
This is the official YouTube channel of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington. Here you will find live-streamed Sunday Masses from the diocesan cathedral, video messages from our bishop, seasonal videos of interest to the Catholic community of Delaware and Maryland's Eastern Shore, and more. The Diocese of Wilmington Office of Communications is responsible for the content on this channel. Thank you for tuning in.
Ascension Press is offering live events and webinars each day.
Ave Maria Press has meet the growing demain for video content and connected them to their most popular textbooks. Access text books with YouTube videos and other rescources.
Loyola Press offers Catholic resources and faith formation programs.
Resources from Oregon Catholic Press.
OSV to serve the church provides resources.
Pflaum offers Pflaum Gospel Weeklies to help parents participate in their important role as the first educators of their children.
RCL Benziger has free downloadable resources, prayers, activities, and more for home, school, and parish.
Boys' Life has 25 fun projects to do with stuff from around the house.
Boys' Life is offering to download their app to read a whole year of Boy's Life for free. Click Here for more information. Find projects you can create from home and stories that will take your mind on adventures all over the world. This is being offered for a limited time.
Scouting at Home shows just how awesome Scouting at home can be. Visit their YouTube page as well. Join Scouts to watch Scouting Wire TV.
Catholic Stuff You Should Know weekly podcast is described as lighthearted exporations into various prominent and obscure Catholic topics.
Blogs, websites, books, and more for young adults through USSCB.
Get connected, inspired, and challenged through Br. Anthony Freeman's Blog
Catholic.net has different sections that young adults may relate to on dating, virtues, and values and many other topics.
Dr. Josh Packard, Executive Director of Springtide Research Institute discusses research on loneliness and isolation among young adults, and how social distancing has been agitating those feelings.
Solidarity on Tap - Socializing meets Social Justice on a Screen Near You on Wednesdays at 9:00pm.
CCMA is a source of hope for America's colleges and universities - connect, equip, and inspire.
The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston is proud to introduce the Video Catechism for Teens that includes monthly videos and discussion guides.
Each week's Gospel is explained to help better understand the Gospel at Mass through Sunday Connection. Saints Stories explore the lives of the men and women who have become models to follow.
Free youth ministry resources on behalf Katherine Bogner.
The Kids' Bulletin is a fun way for Catholic kids to learn about the Faith every week.
This article, from "U.S. Catholic," breaks down what social justice is, and how it differs from acts of charity.
The following resource will assist one in organizing, and running, a Bible study. It provides background information about the Bible, how-to guides that teach you skills, and Catholic Bible study guides. The study of Sacred Scripture is a valuable way to deepen our knowledge and understanding of our faith. Organizing, and running, a Bible study is a great way to fellowship, and build relationships, with others through a spiritually enriching activity.
The United Sates Conference of Catholic Bishops offers numerous resources for Catholics to enrich their journey with Christ. One means in which to grow deeper in the Lord is through the reading, and study of the Bible. The ten points offered by the USCCB is a great starting off point for anyone wanting to develop and begin a Bible study.
The Catholic Apostolate Center has valuable information on the New Evangelization. For more information and numerous resources on the New Evangelization visit their website here.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has numerous resources that can be useful in relaying the value and importance of attending Confession. Many times fear, trepidation, and anxiety prevents us from experiencing this wonderful Sacrament and the healing that it provides. Take a moment to visit their webpage at, http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/sacraments-and-sacramentals/penance/index.cfm you will find numerous articles and other material that I know will be useful when speaking about this Sacrament. Additionally there are a few documents below that I believe you might find useful. These can be printed and use to spark small group discussions.
Just about a hour and twenty minutes from Wilmington, DE situated in Barto, PA is the National Center for Padre Pio. Recognized by the Holy See for its spiritual work this is a great place to pilgrimage or for a retreat. This center to Padre Pio has touched and moved many who have visited it and there is numerous testimonies about the wonderful healing nature of this holy place. To learn more about the history of the National Center for Padre Pio and what it may offer you and those you serve visit their website by clicking here.
This game is a great icebreaker and a wonderful way to get to know individuals.
How to Play
- Each person will get a chance to participate.
- When it is your turn relay three statements to the group, two must be true and one is a lie. (Avoid telling both truths first and then the lie because this can make it too easy, especially if you can't think of a lie. It becomes obvious when you have to pause too long debating what to lie about.)
- The group gets an opportunity to guess which statement is the lie.
- Once everyone guesses the individual reveals which one is a lie.
- Go around the room until everyone gets a chance to participate.
- The goal is to trick people so if you want you can make it a competition and keep track of how many people you fooled or how many you guessed right.
You will be amazed by the truths that are revealed and the interesting facts that you discover. This is a wonderful way to spark conversations and discover shared interests.
Fr. Mike Schmitz does an excelent job revealing our faith in a loving and joyful manner. These 5 - 10 minute videos cover many topics and are a great way to spark conversation with your youth.
This helpful one page guide for parents can assit them in developing responsible smart phone use.
By connecting with dioceses and Catholic youth and young adult ministry organizations across the United States, the USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) offers a network of resources and information that can foster growth in the Church's outreach and ministry with youth and young adults.
Have you ever been over at a good friend’s house for supper, someone that you really enjoy being with, and when you finish eating, you want to spend more time with that friend, so you talked in the living room, or went outside on the porch? Eating a meal with your friend was satisfying, but you still wanted to relax and just hang around for just a little while longer.
Well, since the Mass is the source and summit of our Christian life, it means a lot to us; it is a holy meal where we partake of the Body and Blood of Jesus. But like any friend, we need some extra time together to develop our friendship with Jesus even more. We can do this with Jesus in our adoration of Him before the tabernacle or by worshiping Jesus exposed in the monstrance for adoration.
So be a good friend to Jesus, and stick around a while longer.
In the Catholic tradition, the family holds a special place - especially in the formation of faith. So important, in fact, that it is called "the domestic church." This video invites parents to reflect on being the church in the world and what that might look like within their family. Use the reflection questions at the end with a group of parents to share and discuss. This video is funded by the ACTA Foundation and is part of the Strong Catholic Family National Initiative (www.strongcatholicfamilies.org).
CRS University connects college and university communities to the work and mission of CRS around the world, which is to promote human development and global solidarity. Some of the main areas in which CRS works are: emergency response, hunger and agriculture, global health, water, human trafficking, migration, HIV and AIDS, and education
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, through its National Pastoral Initiative on Marriage, has worked to explain church teaching on divorce in the hope of correcting misunderstandings and keeping people connected with the church. Read a recent article posted by Catholic News Service. Find more information online visit foryourmarriage.com.
In this recently translated book, Father Antonio Spadaro, SJ, suggests that since the Internet has changed, and is changing, the ways in which we think and act, it must also be changing the ways in which we think Christianity and its theology. To develop this theme, he uses the term “Cybertheology.” Father Spadaro, the editor of La Civiltà Cattolica, is known for interviewing Pope Francis. Learn more, or buy a copy of the book at Amazon.com.
From the Dioceses of Jefferson City, San Jose, and St. Petersburg comes Strong Catholic Family, faith, which posts resources, news, and opportunities for sharing your Catholic faith with your family.
The Archdiocese of Cincinnati has just published a great resource, including a guide and a downloadable PDF, on transforming scouting into youth ministry. You can view the guide here and download the printable PDF here.
Actively serving the Church can sometimes fall into the category of being a "Little Old Church Lady" So how does a young person begin or continue to participate and serve the Church without becoming or being seen as a "Little Old Church Lady?" Explore this article in which Busted Halo answers this question.
Read the article here.
90-minute lesson plan designed to teach media literacy to high school and middle school students, grounded in the Church's wisdom on media.
Teens will watch clips from popular films and discuss what messages or world views are coming through, and whether they are positive or negative. The free resource includes everything youth ministers need including the movie clips, icebreakers, discussion questions, etc.
The Catechetical Lesson Plan can be found here.
Going to camp? A concert? A mission trip? Sometimes youth ministry events involve long car rides. Click below to see some of our favorite games for passing the time.
Campus ministry offers a variety of programming for undergrads and graduate students. For more information, visit the St. Thomas More Oratory website.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a celebration of the merciful love of God. Through the gift of this sacrament, we are brought back together with the Father (reconciled) through the saving action of Jesus Christ, His Son, by the power of the Holy Spirit. This gift, given to the Church by Jesus himself on the evening of the Resurrection (see John 20:21-23), brings the sinner into the embrace of the Father, Who seeks us out and forgives. No one is beyond that embrace; no one is too far gone. Now, we who approach this sacrament with faith in God’s love and mercy and an honest awareness of our sins, with a sincere heart to try and live better, experience the depth of God’s love.
This guide can help you and your teens make the most of this powerful experience of God.
It is crucial to acknowledge that every death brings with it our own personal grief – from the very first death we experienced, even that of our family pet, to the death of a sibling, parent, grandparent, or close friend. However, there are some who have traveled the course of life with minimal personal encounters with death.
This resource will help you understand more about what teenagers might be feeling when faced with a loss.
The Official Youth Basketball Website of USA Basketball is sponsored by NCAA and NBA and provides community youth basketball programs training tools and articles that will assist players, coaches and parents.
Concussions seem to be on the rise in youth sports. To help parents be prepared, CYM offers tips on symptoms and treatments.
This prayer, written by CYM staff and promulgated by the late Bishop Saltarelli, should be prayed by coaches, parents, and young people before games and practices.
Playing sports this year? Try some of these tactics off the court to make for a better experience on the court.
Please use these forms to ensure a safe environment, as required by FSGC guidelines.
Please use the following forms when planning youth ministry events. If there is a form not listed here that should be, please email CYM.
Download FSGC Section Three, Introduction
The complete document - all ten sections - of Empowering Disciples: A Work in Progress is now online. This wiki site is itself a work in progress and plans are underway to make the document more in keeping with this new site. In the meantime, you can find the policies and guidelines for ministry, FSGC commentary, and an explanation of forms used in ministry.
The sections are down one side and the sub-sections are listed alphabetically, the only way wikispaces will let you create a table of contents. Its not perfect, but its updated and its online. Policies, as always, are in red.
Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) is transforming youth sports so sports can transform youth. Through partnership with more than 1,100 youth sports organizations, leagues, schools and cities nationwide, PCA has conducted 6,000-plus workshops for youth sports coaches, parents, organizational leaders and athletes.
This powerful resource, published by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, provides prayer service suggestions, Scripture readings, and songs to be used when helping young people deal with the death of one of their peers.
A helpful tool when using the Pastoral Cross in your parish or school.
Every young person grieves in his or her own way. This resource gives you what the experts have discovered about the way young people grieve, broken down by ages and stages of development.
A useful tool as you prepare to help your young people deal with loss.
Download Developmental Stages of Grief
Between suicide, homicide, deaths as a result of military conflict, and even car accidents, young people can sometimes find themselves facing complicated grief.
These resources include commentary on these areas as well as tips on what you can say, what you should avoid saying, and how to get professional help when necessary.
This website reports the current headlines of the day and helps relate it to Gospel readings and how we can improve our faith in our everyday lives.
Catholic Youth Foundation USA (CYFUSA) is building a faithful future by financially supporting the Catholic Church's pastoral ministry to, with, by, and for young people. CYFUSA partners with the Catholic faith community to underwrite resources for youth leadership development, adult ministry formation, creative programs in catechesis, service and pastoral care, and development of youth ministry programs for culturally diverse communities.
A diocesan website that contains information for young people who are interested in vocational studies, religious life and/or seminaries.
The official website of the Holy See, the episcopal jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Church in Rome.
The mission of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is to support the ministry of bishops with an emphasis on evangelization, by which the bishops exercise in a communal and collegial manner certain pastoral functions entrusted to them by the Lord Jesus of sanctifying, teaching, and governing.
Girl Scouts invites young ladies to join in one of the many opportunities they provide. There are also several ways adults can be involved. To locate the counsel closest to you or for more information, please contact Joan Przywara, Chair of the Girl Scouts Committee for the Diocese of Wilmington.
The Diocese of Wilmington has a rich tradition of involving young people in scouting programs and now is a great time to get involved!
Boy Scouts invites young men between the ages of 7 and 20 to join in one of the Scouting programs. If you're a parent, you might be interested in being selected a Scout leader. Scouting offers a time-tested set of activities that have produced fine citizens, strong family members, and community leaders for more than 90 years. For more information, email Bob Murray, Chair of the Boy Scouts Committee for the Diocese of Wilmington.
This document contains information on how to manage rashes and skin lesions in sporting events in the diocese.
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over four million youth members in its age-related divisions. Since its founding in 1910 as part of the international Scout Movement, more than 110 million Americans have been members of the BSA.
Access a great list of background information and resources regarding the foundations of ministry to and with young adults.
Find out more about the "best kept secret of the Catholic faith"...Catholic Social Teaching, and the Church's active part in spreading the gospel and proclaiming justice in the world.
This link sends you to different publications on young adult ministry from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
1st State Sports Club is another league similar to Delaware Sports League for young adults in Delaware.
The official site for the NFCYM, which serves those who serve the young Catholic Church.