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Discipleship #8
We encourage young people to look at the ways in which God may be calling them to serve His Church
Context
First articulated in A Vision of Youth Ministry, these ministry components describe the "essence" of ministry with young people and provide the Church with eight fundamental ways to minister effectively with them. Today, in light of our National Strategy on Vocations, we add vocational discernment to the "essence" of effective pastoral ministry. (Renewing the Vision)
Goal
Effective and comprehensive pastoral ministry with young people recognizes that an organization that is not capable of perpetuating itself has failed. An organization therefore has to provide today (those) who can run it tomorrow. It has to renew its human capital. (Peter Drucker)
Suggested Implementation
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Prayer Groups/Eucharistic Adoration: Develop a group or a consistent time where people might gather to pray for vocations.
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Chalice Program: Many parishes have a Chalice that travels from family to family to encourage prayer and discernment for vocations. Does yours?
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Discernment Programming: Bring small groups together with a priest or a religious woman or man to discuss vocations and then explore the lifestyle. This might include a “nun run” visitation to convents or visits to seminaries.
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Invite Vocations Directors: Hold a vocations night as part of your programming and invite vocations directors to participate as speakers and/or on a panel. See the Diocese of Wilmington Vocation Site for more information.
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Sharing “The Call” Stories: Create opportunities where young people might learn of other’s callings as well as share and discern to where they believe they are being called.
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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Is it the perception of those involved in pastoral ministry with young people programming that we have increased our efforts regarding encouraging vocations?