YOUTH MINISTRY

A major component of total youth ministry is catechesis. A major component of catechesis is spiritual growth. A major part of spiritual growth is relationship. Jesus’ parable of the sower (Mark 4: 3-8) uses an agricultural image to tell a story of spiritual growth.

As spring takes hold in our lives, we find ourselves planting all sorts of seeds that will eventually bring us much beauty and food. We will be careful to sow the seeds, so that there is great potential for bounty. The sower in Jesus’ parable sows seed on the pathway, on rocky ground, with the weeds and finally on good soil. There is only one place where the seed can grow to fruition that is good ground, ground that will need to be cultivated throughout the growing season.

For the seed, the person of Jesus, to grow in the lives of our youth we need to be sure we work the soil, preparing it, trusting that God has already planted the seed. To keep the seed growing we must provide conditions for the seed to be in good relationship with the soil. If Jesus is the seed, and the lives of our youth, the soil, do we not need to help that relationship to blossom? With teamwork, discipline and coordination we can join Our Lord in the Body of Christ to bring Jesus’ life, mission and ministry alive and ever growing in the lives of our youth. Then the youth can establish their own relationship with him possessing knowledge and participating in activity that emphasizes building and sustaining relationships with God, others and self.

On the following pages you will find various opportunities for youth to become good soil. Parents can provide encouragement and support for their son/daughter to continually develop his/her own relationship with Jesus. Adult parishioners are needed to guide and assist the youth as catechists and youth workers in all the programs. God has give us the seed in Jesus, it is up to us to garden properly, so our youth can grow spiritually and tend to all their relationships through Christ, Our Lord.

Peace, 
Judy Deysach  

Judy Deysach  
Director  
Youth Ministry

Click to open the
2009-2010 Christian Formation Catalog
in a new window. (pdf, 200kb)

Archbishop Dolan's letter on Policies for Safe Environment
(pdf, 84kb)

Archdiocese of Milw. Home-based Catechetical Program Standards
(pdf, 50kb)

Related Forms:
Adult Hold Harmless form (pdf, 10kb)
Youth Permission form (pdf, 425kb)