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NEWS & RESOURCES
RECOMMENDED
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.
Categories: CDOW Resource | CYM in General | Display on home page
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
Categories: Young Adult Groups
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
Categories: Young Adult Groups
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
Categories: Pilgrimage
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
Categories: Pastoral Cross
Bishop David L. Ricken of Green Bay, Wisconsin, former chairman of the Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), offers “10 Things to Remember for Lent”
View Journey to the Foot of the Cross - 10 Things to Remember for Lent
Categories: CDOW Resource | Lent
Ave Maria Press provides a engaging way to teach social justice by slightly altering the rules of Monopoly.
Download Catholic Social Teaching and Monopoly
Categories: CDOW Resource
During Lent, when your friends or co-workers express curiosity about Catholic customs and symbolism, use those moments as opportunities to evangelize!
View Six Ways to Evangelize During Lent
Categories: CDOW Resource | Lent
This article, from "U.S. Catholic," breaks down what social justice is, and how it differs from acts of charity.
Download Social Justice for Dummies
Categories: CDOW Resource | Suggested Reading
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.
Categories: CDOW Resource | CYM in General
The Bible Timeline is a fascinating study that takes participants on a journey through the entire Bible. They will go deep into each period of salvation history and discover the amazing story woven throughout all of Scripture. Using a unique color-coded system, they will learn the major people, places, and events of the Bible and see how they all come together to reveal the remarkable story of our faith. The Bible Timeline has been granted the Imprimatur.
View The Bible Timeline: The Story of Salvation
Categories: CDOW Resource
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.
View USCCB's 10 points of fruitful Scripture reading
Categories: CDOW Resource | CYM in General
Endorsed by the Pope, the YOUCAT is a great resource to assist one in passing on the truth of what the Church believes and teaches. Created for the young person in mind, the YOUCAT provides an accessible means to pass on the Catholic faith to highschoolers. The YOUCAT, and other publications that can be utilized in conjuction with the YOUCAT, can be found on the YOUCAT foundation site (link below).
Categories: CDOW Resource | For Parents | CYM in General | Suggested Reading
Just 5 Days is an opportunity for middle school youth to encounter Christ through meaningful service, faith building, fellowship and fun. For $290 a person, middle school aged youth can participate in this hands on program. There are a variety of locations available, and CMD (Center for Ministry Development) can provide you with promotional materials and assistance to help you make this event a successful endeavor. For additional information access their website through the link provided below. You will also find their promotional brochure attached.
Categories: CDOW Resource | Display on home page
Young Neighbors in Action provides youth with an opportunity to encounter Christ through meaningful service and prayer. For $395 a person, high school aged youth can participate in this wonderful program. There are numerous locations available, and CMD (Center for Ministry Development) will provide you with promotional materials to assist you with advertising, and preparing, for this faith filled service opportunity. For additional information access their website through the link provided below. You will also find their promotional brochure attached.
View Young Neighbors In Action
Download Young Neighbors in Action Brochure
Categories: CDOW Resource | Display on home page
All for God, a website that provides youth ministry resources, has great preconstructed youth sessions on numerous different topics. Along with these sessions, this site also offers other resources and fundraising ideas. Take a look, adapt them, and utilize them with your youth.
View All for God Resource Page
Categories: CDOW Resource | CYM in General | Display on home page
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.
Categories: CDOW Resource | CYM in General | Catholic Links
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.
Categories: CDOW Resource | Lent | CYM in General
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.
Categories: CDOW Resource
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.
Categories: Games and Ideas
Theology on Tap Eastern Shore provides young adults (ages 18-39) with an event to attend in which they are invited to think more deeply about their Catholic faith while being in a relaxing environment with other young adults. The group meets once a month at a local brewery. In 2017 our general plan is to meet the second Sunday of each month at Ocean City Brewing Company at 6:30. More information can be obtained from their Facebook page by clicking here.
Categories: Young Adult Groups
This helpful one page guide for parents can assit them in developing responsible smart phone use.
Download Parents' Guide to Smart Phone Safety
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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.
View USCCB Young Adult Resources and Information
Categories: Suggested Reading
Youth Ministry Access utilizes three movements to prepare young people for the sacrament of Confirmation: Encounter with Christ, Formation in Discipleship, and Equipped to Respond. In your subscription, you gain access to retreats, service projects, gathered youth sessions, and more. For more information and to subscribe please visit the Youth Ministry Access webpage.
Categories: CYM in General | Display on home page
Here's Project YM's Most Popular PowerPoint Game
Use it with high schoolers, adult leaders, middle schoolers, parish staff, parents or anyone else who likes to laugh!
The game works right out of the box wherever you'd normally stick a game, but here's how I use it:
As a small group conversation starter. If your students are like most teenagers, there not always eager to talk or share when you throw them into a new small group. Using this game is a great way to get them talking. Play each round and let the group leaders facilitate the "What's Next?" portion of the round within their own groups.
Categories: Games and Ideas
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.
Download Eucharistic Adoration
Categories: Pilgrimage
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).
View Family As Domestic Church
Categories: CYM in General | Display on home page
Being good stewards of all that we have received from the Lord—individual gifts and talents as well as the earth and its resources—is a fundamental Catholic value. As a Catholic community, we have been challenged by the U.S. Catholic Bishops to embrace three core principles: prudence, poverty, and the common good in relationship to the ongoing concern of climate change. This resource challenges young people and adults alike to connect their actions to the well being of others, especially the poor.
This planning guide provides tools for teaching the young church that care for creation is also care for the poor. The guide provides a practical small-group planning and training process resulting in a parish/school-wide learning experience that focuses on climate change and the role of Catholics to care for all of creation. Purchase the book through the NFCYM online store.
View Caring for Creation: Caring for the Poor
Categories: CYM in General
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
Categories: Suggested Reading
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.
Categories: Suggested Reading
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.
Categories: Suggested Reading
Sign up to receive CYM's tips to Take the Readings and Bring It Home, emphasizing the parents' role as the "first teachers" in a child's life. Tips are liturgically oriented and respond to each week's readings. They are a great and simple way to incorporate what your family has learned in church into your everday life.
Categories: For Parents
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.
View Strong Catholic Family Faith
Categories: For Parents
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.
Categories: Girl Scouts
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.
Categories: Suggested Reading
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.
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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.
Categories: Games and Ideas
Campus ministry offers a variety of programming for undergrads and graduate students. For more information, visit the St. Thomas More Oratory website.
Categories: Young Adult Groups
Recent winners of a Telly award for their movie, Palm Sunday, NFCYM collaborating members Spirit Juice Studios and outside da box offer many videos for youth ministry, many of which may be used as prayer resources. Visit their websites to find free and paid resources.
Categories: CYM in General
Any Given Sunday endeavors to bring the richness and beauty of the weekly Sunday readings alive for the young church. Reflections are written by some of the best-known Catholic youth speakers, musicians and comedians in the country.
Categories: Catholic Links
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.
Categories: Pilgrimage
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.
Categories: Pastoral Cross
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.
Categories: For Coaches
Concussions seem to be on the rise in youth sports. To help parents be prepared, CYM offers tips on symptoms and treatments.
Categories: For Coaches | For Parents
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.
Categories: For Coaches | For Parents | Display on home page
Playing sports this year? Try some of these tactics off the court to make for a better experience on the court.
Download Ten Ways to Encourage Good Sportsmanship
Categories: For Parents
Please use these forms to ensure a safe environment, as required by FSGC guidelines.
Form B: Event Specific Consent (PDF)
Form C: Prescription Medication Form (PDF)
Form D: Attendance Records (PDF)
Form E: Emergency Contact Sheet (PDF)
Categories: FSGC
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
Ensuring a Safe Environment (PDF)
Developing an Emergency Plan (PDF)
Sending a Young Person Home (PDF)
Guidelines for Overnight Accommodations (PDF)
Transportation by Automobile (PDF)
Recreational Activities (games and prohibited activities) (PDF)
Categories: FSGC
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.
Categories: CDOW Resource | CYM in General
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.
View Positive Coaching Alliance
Categories: For Coaches
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.
Download Dealing with the Death of a Young Person
Categories: Pastoral Cross
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
Categories: Pastoral Cross
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.
Categories: Pastoral Cross
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.
Categories: Catholic Links
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.
Categories: Catholic Links
A diocesan website that contains information for young people who are interested in vocational studies, religious life and/or seminaries.
View Office of Priestly and Religious Vocations
Categories: Catholic Links
The official website of the Holy See, the episcopal jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Church in Rome.
Categories: Catholic Links
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.
Categories: Catholic Links
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.
Categories: Girl Scouts
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.
Categories: Boy Scouts
This document contains information on how to manage rashes and skin lesions in sporting events in the diocese.
Download DIAA First State Ortho Rash Illness
Categories: For Coaches
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.
Categories: Boy Scouts
Access a great list of background information and resources regarding the foundations of ministry to and with young adults.
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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.
Categories: Catholic Links
This link sends you to different publications on young adult ministry from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
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1st State Sports Club is another league similar to Delaware Sports League for young adults in Delaware.
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The official site for the NFCYM, which serves those who serve the young Catholic Church.
Categories: Catholic Links
