Youth Ministry Leaders Monthly Gathering Agenda August 1, 2017 St. Thomas More, Coralville Present: Online: 9:45 Gathering 10:15 Welcome, Introductions, & Summer Highlights 10:30 Opening Prayer One Lord, One Body, One Mission - The Power of Story An explanation of our prayer process for the coming months Prayer Preparation for next month s Opening Prayer 10:50 Convocation of Catholic Leaders Report Initial Insights Video: Opening Mass Homily Timothy Cardinal Dolan What s Next? 11:20 Updates/Reports/Planning NCYC Update o Chaperone Sessions o Thursday dinner at hotel o Registration Process o Paperwork deadline: September 1 CIA o Family Style cancelled no registrations o Report on Youth CIA (see attachment) DYMC o 13 youth (5 returning, 7 new), 5 adults (2 returning, 3 new) o From St. Thomas More, Coralville: Riley Brunk, Grace Christopher, Noah O Connell, Shirley Schneider (A) o From St. Mary, Grinnell: Rebecca Crawford, Theresa Crawford, Dallas DeNeve, Riley Osborne, Mary Kate Shaver, Crystal DeNeve (A) o From Our Lady of Victory, Davenport: Donna Diggs o From St. Mary, West Point: Joe Hummel o From Holy Family, Ft. Madison: Claire Graham o From St. Ann, Long Grove: Kyrnan Liske-Rochholz o From St. Alphonsus, Mt. Pleasant: Diane Tone (A), Jasmin Tone (A) o From O.F.F.: Don Boucher (A) Board of Education Re-Structuring (see attachment) Junior High Rally o Promo materials, participant and registration forms are up on website Holy Fire o October 20 (primarily for Catholic Schools); October 21 (primarily for all others) o University of Illinois-Chicago Pavillion o http://www.nfcym.org/holyfirechicago
o OFF will coordinate bus transportation (approximate cost $30-$35/person) o Parishes register on their own. Registration is $35/person until October 2, higher after. Ministry Leaders Retreat o April 2 (evening) April 3 (end by 5), Prairiewoods Retreat Center o Evening will be social time, after morning prayer will be silent time for reflection and private prayer going through lunch, afternoon will be opportunities for small and large group sharing ending with Mass. o Tentative cost: $110 (double), $130 (single). Exact cost to come soon Updated 2017-2018 Diocesan Youth Ministry Calendar (see attachment) o Locations for Monthly Meetings during odd-numbered months o Re-Visioning Process Workshop on GEN Z with implications for Confirmation Prep with Tom East November 7 (in place of our November meeting). NOTE: workshop begins with check-in at 8:30 and finishes at 2:30. This will be followed by an NCYC Group Leaders Meeting from 2:45-3:45. Workshop on Evangelization and Catechesis with Gen Z, with Robert Feduccia Friday, March, 9, 9-2:30 (primarily for parish and catholic school staffs), Saturday, March 10, 10-2 (primarily for catechists and youth ministry volunteer leaders) FORUM for Catholic Youth Leaders (see attachment) 12:20 Announcements from the group Announcements: Next meeting: September 5 at 12:25 Closing Prayer
2017 Catholics in Action Report No formal written evaluation was done this year. Mike s reflections: 1. Overall, program went well. The topic of mental health seemed to fit well and was a great way to bring an important topic such as this to light and explore it. Deanna Barr gave a personal witness on depression and dealing with difficulties in her life. Christ McCormick-Pries talked about how to personally deal with mental health issues. Fr. Thom presented about the two Catholic Social Teachings for this CIA: Life & Dignity of the Human Person and Option for the Poor. Legislators from both sides of the aisle shared the legislative issues being dealt with. 2. Work sites were good: River clean-up for everyone, Habitat House (Trevor s) in Keokuk, St. Peggy s mom s house in West Burlington, State Park work, and??? 3. There was a decline in numbers again this year (around 38 with staff 6 from Grinnell deanery, 3 from Iowa City deanery, the rest from Keokuk deanery). The experience worked well even with the smaller numbers, and kids could really interact better and connect on a deeper level, better converastiosa, all of which was a benefit with the topic of mental health. Why? Is it because more YMs doing other experiences with their kids (NDVision, One Bread One Cup, Steubenville, Manus Christi, David KY, Young Neighbors in Action, their own service or leadership weeks, VBS, and CIA). All of these are great experiences, but they don t do much to build up the diocesan identity, community and solidarity. Did the extension to 4 days have anything to do with the lower numbers this year? Is it because another experience was too much for some YMs on top of the other things they had going on? Is it because if the YM wasn t going it didn t get promoted? Is it because it s not in Iowa City anymore? Is it because of the move of some YMs to hourly pay? 4. Looking ahead to next year, Mike has questions and concerns. Putting the experience together was more challenging because there were fewer YMs to involve in the planning and execution of the various parts of the program. It all fell on him. He could do the same next year and focus that CIA just for Keokuk deanery and it would still work and possibly get more long-term impact for the parishes of his deanery. Why do it for the diocese when fewer beyond the deanery participant? If he does CIA next year, he d prefer to keep it limited in size easier to plan and execute overall. And he d need to have a firm commitment in the Fall from YMs to participate in CIA. 5. One more question: Since we re having fewer high school youth participate in CIA, should we consider making this a middle school experience?
DIOCESAN BOARD OF EDUCATION RESTRUCTURING BISHOP DIOCESAN BOARD OF EDUCATION Focus: Leadership, vision and policies for Catholic Schools Meets: 5/year Members: 9 with 1 nonvoting member from DFFB Superintendent; Coodinator of LifeLong Faith Formation LIFELONG FAITH FORMATION ADVISORY Focus: Lifelong Faith Formation Director of O.F.F.; Coordinator of LifeLong Faith Formation DIOCESAN FAITH FORMATION BOARD Focus: Ensure integration/collaboration in and establish/affirm policies for all aspects of faith formation. Meets: Three times each year Members: 2 members from each Committee and 1 non-voting member from DBOE O.F.F. staff serve as ex-offico members Commission members have dual responsibilities: report on the work of the Board/Committee they represent, and report back to their Board/Committee on the work of others. YOUTH MINISTRY ADVISORY Focus: Youth Ministry Coordinator of Youth/Young Adult Ministry MARRIAGE & FAMILY LIFE ADVISORY Focus: Support for Healthy Marriages & Families Coordinator of Marriage & Family Life LAY MINISTRY ADVISORY Focus: Lay Ecclesial Ministry Formation Coordinator of Lay Ministry Formation YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY ADVISORY Focus: Ministry to Young Adults Coordinator of Youth/Young Adult Ministry
2017-2018 Youth Ministry Diocesan Calendar (NOTE: Dates marked with an * are not sponsored or directly supported by the O.F.F.) updated 7/28/2017 JULY 30 DEADLINE: NCYC 3 rd payment due AUGUST 1 Monthly Youth Ministry Leaders Gathering 1 Junior High Rally Promo & Registration Materials available 12* Hispanic Festival (Ottumwa) 19-20 DYMC overnight 22 Retreat Panel Meeting 30* MORE Catechist In-Service with Jared Dees SEPTEMBER 1 DEADLINE: NCYC Conference registration Safe Environment compliance for all young adults/adults All forms (NFCYM/NCYC Release, Diocesan Medical/Permission) 5 Monthly Youth Ministry Leaders Gathering 18 DEADLINE: NCYC T-shirt order form Rooming List 23 DYMC Meeting 26 DEADLINE: Junior High Rally Early-Bird Registration 30 DEADLINE: NCYC 4 th payment due OCTOBER 2-10 NET in diocese TENTATIVE schedule: 3 (day) St. Paul the Apostle school, Davenport 4 (afternoon-evening) JFK School, Davenport 5 (afternoon-evening) JFK School, Davenport 6 Holy Trinity School, Fr. Madison 7 St. Alphonsus/St. Anthony, Davenport & St. Andrew, Bluegrass 8 St. Mary, Oxford 3 Monthly Youth Ministry Leaders Gathering 6 DEADLINE: Junior High Rally Registration 15 Junior High Rally, Regina Educational Center, Iowa City 20* Holy Fire, Chicago 21* Holy Fire, Chicago 24 New Parish Faith Formation/Youth Ministry Leader Diocesan Orientation Day 26-28* Re-Imagining Faith Formation with Children and Youth, Bloomington, MN 28-29 Quest, Our Lady of Lourdes, Bettendorf (tentative) NOVEMBER 4-5 Quest, Our Lady of Lourdes, Bettendorf (tentative) 7 Workshop Day with Tom East
16-19 NCYC, Indianapolis. 28 Retreat Panel Meeting DECEMBER 1 FORUM 2018 Promo & Registration Materials available 2 DYMC Meeting 5 Monthly Youth Ministry Leaders Gathering JANUARY 2 Monthly Youth Ministry Leaders Gathering 2 Diocese of Davenport Cohort begins for Vibrant Faith University (pending approval by Bishop Zinkula) 6-7 Quest, St. Thomas More, Coralville 20-21 DYMC Overnight 16-20 Trip to March for Life, Washington, D.C., sponsored by St. Mary s, Oskaloosa 27-28 Certificate in Ministry Studies: Principles & Vision for Lifelong Catechesis, Principles of Youth Ministry, St. Ambrose University (pending approval by Bishop Zinkula) 27-28 Quest, St. James, St. Paul 30 DEADLINE: FORUM 2018 Early-Bird Registration FEBRUARY 4 Bishop s Mass for Scouting, Sacred Heart Cathedral (tentative) 5-9* NFCYM Annual Membership Meeting, Spokane WA 9 DEADLINE: FORUM 2018 Registration 13 Monthly Youth Ministry Leaders Gathering 14* Ash Wednesday 17-18 FORUM 2018, St. Ann, Long Grove 27 Retreat Panel Meeting MARCH 6 Monthly Youth Ministry Leaders Gathering 9 Workshop Day with Robert Feduccia parish/school staffs 10 Workshop Day with Robert Feduccia catechists/youth ministry volunteers 9-11 COR, St. Joseph, DeWitt 24 DYMC Meeting 25-31* Holy Week APRIL 1* Easter 2-3 Retreat for Adult Ministry Leaders, Prairiewoods, Hiawatha 14-15 Certificate in Ministry Studies: Practices for Ministry, St. Ambrose University (pending approval by Bishop Zinkula) MAY 1 Monthly Youth Ministry Leaders Gathering 22 Retreat Panel Meeting JUNE 5 Monthly Youth Ministry Leaders Gathering
FORUM 2018 Who FORUM is targeted to: 1. High school youth who are actively engaged in and committed to their faith, parish/school, and faith formation programs. 2. Parents who are actively engaged in and committed to their faith and parish/school, and who are dedicated to making faith central to their family life. 3. Adult leaders in their parish/school youth ministry, religious education, and/or faith formation. Keynote presenter and chief motivator for FORUM is Mike Patin, nationally-known speaker and presenter, from Louisiana. What A weekend experience for high school youth, parents, and faith formation leaders designed to: 1. Provide participants with an opportunity to encounter Jesus. 2. Inspire, motivate and empower participants to live as a missionary disciple of Christ. 3. Discover what young people and parents desire and need most from the Church. 4. Develop recommendations for parishes and the diocese on transforming faith formation for adolescents and families. When Begins Friday evening, February 16, and concludes Sunday afternoon, February 18. Where St. Ann s parish, Long Grove. Why The Preparatory Document for the 2018 XV Ordinary General Assembly states: Through every phase of this Synod, the Church wants again to state her desire to encounter, accompany and care for every young person, without exception. The Church cannot, nor does she wish to, abandon them to the isolation and exclusion to which the world exposes them. That young people s lives might be a good experience; that they do not lose themselves in violence or death; and that disappointment does not imprison and alienate them, all of this has to be of great concern to one who has received life, been baptized in the faith and is aware that these are great gifts. The impetus for entering into our diocesan journey to re-visioning faith formation for adolescents was the realization that many of our current programs and efforts are, in some ways, leading us to doing exactly what this quote indicates we (Church) cannot do, i.e., abandon on young people. Increasing numbers of our youth are leaving the church as they move into their young adult years. Indeed, more of our youth are exiting the practice of their faith right after Confirmation. A recent CARA study found that many of those who have abandoned their faith made a conscious decision to do so by age 13. Despite our good intentions and hard work, our present efforts are yielding less results. Something has to change. FORUM 2018 is being held to take seriously Pope Francis call to live as missionary disciples and to move towards accompaniment as a regular practice of ministry. One cannot live as a disciple of Jesus if one has not encountered him. One cannot answer the call to be a missionary disciple if one is not equipped with skills, practices, attitudes, and a strong faith. And the Church cannot truly
transform how she forms young people in faith unless she listens to their needs, hungers, and deep desires for meaning and purpose in their lives. How There are four distinct phases to FORUM 2018: 1. Naming the Delegation. Parishes will be invited to send a delegation of 2-4 high school youth, one parent and one adult leader involved in the parish youth ministry and/or religious education/faith formation. These delegations are to be identified by October 20. 2. Preparation for FORUM 2018. Delegations will be asked to: a. Read a document or two. b. Reflect on specific Scripture passages. c. Pray. d. Engage in conversations with peers, especially those not engaged in their faith or church, and summarize those conversations. e. Prepare a report of the results of their conversations to bring to the table discussions during FORUM. 3. The Event. Participate in the experience, which will include: a. Prayer experiences and Mass b. Plenary sessions c. Workshops focused on skill building d. Breakouts focused on i. Identifying the key needs, hungers and desires of youth. ii. Proposing recommendations for transforming faith formation in parishes, schools, and the diocese. iii. Exploring implications and planning for next steps back in their parishes or schools. e. Community building f. A call to action 4. Follow-Up: Delegations will be expected to: a. Act on their plans for their parishes or schools upon their return. b. Report on their progress in actualizing their plan. Diocesan Follow-Up A reporting of the FORUM proceedings will be developed and promulgated throughout the diocese to FORUM participants, and clergy and ministry leaders in parishes and schools. This report can include any or all of the following: A written report highlighting the key findings of the needs, hungers and desires of youth, recommendations and action plans developed by participants for transforming faith formation. Videos of the event s proceedings, reflections and insights of participants, etc. A progress report on the actions taken by participants in their back-home setting. A series of articles in the Catholic Messenger.