Archdiocese of Portland

Youth Ministry Update

December 19, 2005

 

Contents

1. Christmas Greetings
2. How Prepared Are You to Tend To The Young Members Of Our Flock?
3. Archdiocese of Portland to Host NFCYM National Membership Meeting in January – Call for Volunteers
4. Bishops Approve Resource Guide for Lay Ministers
5. Safe Environment Training Available
6. Young Adult Retreat – Feb 3-5, 2006
7. National Vocation Awareness Week
8. C.S. Lewis and Chronicles of Narnia Lecture
9. Chronicles of Narnia Resources

 

1. Christmas Greetings

On behalf of the Office of Youth & Young Adult Ministry, Randy, Michal, and Emily, wish you and your family a joyful Christmas season and a joy-filled new year!

 

2. How Prepared Are Youth to Tend To The Young Members Of Our Flock?

Our January Youth Ministry Studies Class (YMSP) is one of our most popular workshops. The class, Fostering the Faith Growth of Adolescents through Pastoral Care, is one of the most valuable of the YMSP classes since it explores principles and methods of caring for young people. The course explores pastoral care of youth, of family systems and adolescent development, and the role that cultural identity plays in the development of adolescents. The goal is two-fold: (a) it aims to promote healthy adolescent development from a pastoral care perspective and (b) to develop preventative interventions for families with adolescents. Group rates are available so you can bring your DRE, pastor, and volunteers. This two-day workshop is set for Jan 7-8, 2006 at the Griffin Center in Milwaukie. Go to www.archdpdx.org/ym/ymsp.htm for a flyer and registration information.

3. Archdiocese of Portland to Host NFCYM National Membership Meeting in January – Call for Volunteers

The Archdiocese of Portland is proud to be hosting the annual gathering of diocesan youth ministry directors from across the country this January 24-28, 2006. The dioceses that the diocesan YM directors represent are members of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM). Dozens of youth-serving organizations are members of NFCYM as well including Portland-based OCP. The gathering will take place at the Hilton in Downtown Portland. As hosts, there is a need for lots of volunteer help. We’re looking for general volunteers who can spend the day (and evening, if possible) at the Hilton to assist Randy and Michal with the hosting duties. If you can volunteer a day or two, please contact us at youthministry@archdpdx.org.

4. Bishops Approve Resource Guide for Lay Ministers

The U.S. Catholic Bishops recently approved the document on lay ecclesial ministry called, Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord: A Resource for Guiding the Development of Lay Ecclesial Ministry. This document affirms the development of professional lay ministry and offers guidelines for the discernment, formation, and authorization of people who serve in these ministerial roles. Part of the introduction to the document states, "Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord expresses our strong desire for the fruitful collaboration of ordained and lay ministers who, in distinct but complementary ways, continue in the Church the saving mission of Christ for the world, his vineyard." You can find the full text of the document at: http://www.usccb.org/laity/laymin/co-workers.pdf. Coordinators of Youth Ministry are encouraged to read this important document from the U.S. bishops.

 

5. Safe Environment Training Available

Monica Tolentino, the Archdiocesan Child Protection Officer, is scheduling Safe Environment Trainings throughout the archdiocese and is contacting each of the area vicariates to schedule training sessions. These sessions would be available for any employee or volunteer who work with minors, as well as interested parents. The training would last approximately one hour, and can be done on either a weeknight or weekend. If you would be interested in hosting a Safe Environment training session or need any training material, contact Monica at mtolentino@archdpdx.org, (503)233-8375.

6. Young Adult Retreat – Feb 3-5, 2006

St. Pius X Church is sponsoring a Feb 3-5, 2006 spiritual retreat for young adults, ages 18-40, single or married. The retreat will be based on the book, The Life You’ve Always Wanted: Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People by John Ortberg and will take place at the Canby Grove Conference Center. Deadline to register is January 20. For more information, contact Janell Hoekstra at jhoekstra@stpiusx-pdx.org or 503-644-5264 x129.

7. National Vocation Awareness Week

This week, Rev. Kelly Vandehey, Director for Vocations for the Archdiocese of Portland, sent out materials to your pastor for National Vocation Awareness Week – January 9 – 14, 2006. The kit that your pastor is receiving contains: liturgy planning guide, homily helps, general intercessions, prayer service, prayer card master copy, bulletin announcements, clip art, a poster, lesson plans/activities/handouts for primary, intermediate, junior high, high school, young adults, and a family take-home page. It is hoped that you will take advantage of these materials. Fr. Kelly has informed your pastors that others would be receiving an invitation to request and use some of these materials, so you are encouraged to do just that. Your support in this effort is very much appreciated. For more info, contact gsambolin@archdpdx.org. Visit the Archdiocesan Vocations page at www.archdpdx.org/vocations.

8. C.S. Lewis and Chronicles of Narnia Lecture

A lecture entitled, “Joy and the Lion: C.S. Lewis and the Chronicles of Narnia” will take place on Wed, January 25, 2006, 4:30 pm at the University of Portland’s Buckley Center. The lecture, an introduction to the life of C.S. Lewis and his work in the Chronicles of Narnia, will be presented by Rev. Charles Gordon, C.S.C. Fr. Gordon is joining the University of Portland Theology Department in January and has already presented this lecture at Notre Dame. The lecture is free and open to the public. For further information, contact Mrs. Jamie Powell @ ext 7702 or by e-mail at powell@up.edu.

 

9. Chronicles of Narnia Resources

Catholic resources based on the movie, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, are available at www.narniaoutreach.com. Additional Christian resources are available at www.narniaresources.com.