Hello Dear Friends! 

It was so wonderful to spend Saturday morning with you in formation. Thank you for your attention, insightful questions, and Spirit driven conversation. I really appreciate you taking the time to learn about the lives of youth and young adults. 

I know we went through a lot and yet we only touched the surface on these topics. If you would like to go deeper into any of the topics we talked about today or if you wanted to bring some training or formation to your parish, let me know! I’m here to walk with anyone who walks with young people in any capacity, and that includes you! You can reach me at [email protected] or at 219-769-9292 ext. 229.

This page has the slides from the presentation as well as other links and resources I mentioned in the presentation. Let me know if you are looking for something specific! I’m happy to help. 

Also, you are invited to our Ministry Mondays, a monthly gathering for people who are engaging in ministry with youth or young adults. The next one will be on Monday, March 25, 7:00 PM at the Pastoral Center. This will be for anyone interested in ministry with young adults (out of high school, 18-39 years old).

Peace and all Goodness,

Vicky Hathaway
Coordinator for Youth and Young Adults

Click the image for the presentation slides.

Formation and Training

Websites and Resources

Books and Documents

  • Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry
    • To respond to the challenges and opportunities of the present age, the Catholic bishops of the United States have given the Church this pastoral framework as a blueprint for the continued development of effective ministry with youth and adolescents in local communities of faith.
  • Sons and Daughters of the Light: A Pastoral Plan for Ministry with Young Adults
    • “Young adults, who range from 18-39 years of age, make up a large part of the Church and have the potential to contribute greatly toward the Christian mission. Noting that outreach to young adults has been largely neglected in the past, and that young adults provide a valuable and unique perspective to and for ministry that must be seriously considered, the U.S. bishops aimed to create a strategic plan to integrate young adults into the life of the Church in America, by taking into careful consideration the various stages of life and circumstances in which young adults find themselves.”
    • “Connecting Young Adults to Catholic Parishes: Best Practices in Catholic Young Adult Ministry“: A resource with ideas to help you engage with young adults in your parish.
  • Christus Vivit
    • Pope Francis shares his insights on the accompaniment, engagement, and vocational mission of youth and young adults* in Christus Vivit, his 2019 post-synodal apostolic exhortation written “to young people and to the entire people of God.”
    • Vatican Website
    • USCCB Website
    • NFCYM Website
  • Proceedings and Conclusions of the V National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry
    • The V Encuentro was the Fifth National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry in the Catholic Church, a process aimed at enhancing the participation and leadership of Hispanic/Latino Catholics in the United States. Beginning in 2013 and culminating in a national gathering in 2018, it involved grassroots consultations and discernment at various levels of the Church. Through four stages, it sought to address pastoral challenges and opportunities faced by Hispanic/Latino Catholics, resulting in a national report guiding ongoing pastoral efforts.
    • V Encuentro resources for Jóvenes/Young People
  • Missionary Disciples Going Forth with Joy: National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry
    • In 2023, the US bishops approved a National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry. The Plan refers to Hispanics/Latinos as a blessing from God, as a missionary and prophetic presence that revitalizes the church in the United States. A few of these graces include an abiding love for family and community, a rich practice of Catholic traditions, an authentic Marian devotion, and vibrant ecclesial movements. There is an emphasis on engaging young Hispanic and Latino Catholics. The Plan is designed to further strengthen ministries among our Hispanic/Latino brothers and sisters over the next ten years. It also strives to redouble the church’s efforts to mentor, form, and embrace a new generation of Hispanic/Latino leaders as missionary disciples ready to serve the entire church and the society.
    • USCCB Website
    • V Encuentro Website
  • National Dialogue
    • The National Dialogue is a tool to engage young people in conversation. Young adult Catholics, parents, and ministry leaders are encouraged to have a conversation about faith, what brings you joy, and how the church can serve them. It is a tool to help the Church listen to young people. The National Dialogue Final Report is an eye opening read into the minds and hearts of young Catholics.
  • Journeying Together

 

Getting Started in Ministry with Young Catholics

Online trainings from Revive Parishes

NFCYM-The National Federation for Catholic Youth MinistryProfessional Organization for Catholic Youth Ministry Leaders

The National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM) is an organization dedicated to supporting and promoting Catholic youth ministry in the United States. NFCYM serves as a resource and advocate for those involved in Catholic youth ministry, including youth ministers, parish leaders, and volunteers. NFCYM aims to provide guidance, training, and resources to empower individuals working with young people in the context of the Catholic faith. The organization collaborates with dioceses, parishes, and other Catholic institutions to strengthen youth ministry programs and foster the spiritual development of young Catholics. NFCYM is the host of NCYC.

  • First Things in Youth Ministry First Things in Youth Ministry is a seven-session online formation program for anyone new to youth ministry (YM). Whether volunteer or paid, this training provides direction for the first six months of taking on a new leadership role. Think of it as Basic Training in Comprehensive Youth Ministry.
  • NFCYM Ministry Networks NFCYM sponsors ministry networks to support the development of the field of youth and young adult ministry through ongoing conversations centering around current issues, struggles, strategies, and best practices. Think of it as a message board for ministers. There is no cost to be involved in a ministry network, just a commitment to be responsive to others in the network. You may join as many networks as you wish. You do not have to be a member of NFCYM to join a Ministry Network and it’s free!
  • Library of Resources NFCYM has collected a large library of topics pertaining to youth ministry. 

National Institute for Ministry with Young Adults National Catholic Organization

National Institute on Ministry with Young Adults focuses on formation of those who currently or will do ministry with young adults, including solid catechesis and kerygmatic evangelization, accompaniment of ministry leaders working with young adults and their ministries on the local level, research and development in the expanding field of ministry with young adults, and serving ministry leaders at the national level, co-responsibly with our bishops.

 

Building Relationships with Young People

  • The Developmental Assets Framework: Search Institute has identified 40 positive supports and strengths that young people need to succeed. Half of the assets focus on the relationships and opportunities they need in their families, schools, and communities (external assets). The remaining assets focus on the social-emotional strengths, values, and commitments that are nurtured within young people (internal assets).
  • The Developmental Relationships Framework: Search Institute has identified five elements—expressed in 20 specific actions—that make relationships powerful in young people’s lives. We refer to this as the developmental relationships framework.

 

Helpful Websites and Organizations

Axis Nondenominational resource

“Axis bridges the gap between generations so that kids and adults can have sincere, open, and honest conversations about their day-to-day lives. Because the best way to understand each other is to talk and keep talking. That’s where our model, the One Conversation Model, comes into play. The One Conversation Model is about using what your kid loves to keep the door open — and seizing moments to talk about deeper issues whenever they arise.”

 

 

Springtide Research Institute Multireligious research organization

“Compelled by the urgent desire to listen and attend to the lives of young people (ages 13 to 25), Springtide Research Institute is committed to understanding the distinct ways new generations experience and express community, identity, and meaning. We combine quantitative and qualitative research to reflect and amplify the lived realities of young people as they navigate shifting social, cultural, and religious landscapes. Delivering fresh data and actionable insights, we equip those who care about young people to care better.”

 

 

TENx10 Ecumenical resource

The mission of TenX10 is profound: helping make faith matter for over ten million young people in the next ten years. Their website has resources has tool and trainings to help build young disciples. 

More online resources

Young People and Mental Health
More mental health resources can be found here: www.garyoyya.org/mentalhealth

Crisis Numbers

  • 911 (note: some people have had negative experiences with law enforcement. This might not be the best resource for that person.)
  • National Suicide Lifeline: 988
  • Indiana’s Be Well Crisis Helpline: Speak with a trained counselor 24/7 regarding stress, anxiety, loneliness or mental health strains. Service is free and confidential.
    • 211, enter Zip Code and Press 3
  • Crisis Text Line: Free, 24/7 support from a trained crisis counselor.
    • Chat: Text HOME to 741741
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline: Help for if you or someone you know is experiencing violence.
    • Call: (800) 799-SAFE (7233)
    • TTY: (800) 787-3224
    • Text: Text START to 88788
    • Chat online
  • National Addiction & Recovery Helpline: Free, confidential treatment referral and information for individuals and families.
    • Call: 800-662-HELP (4357)
    • TTY: 800-487-4889
  • Veterans’ Crisis Line: Confidential, 24/7 support for veterans experiencing emotional distress or considering hurting themselves.

A printable flyer of these phone numbers can be found here. 

What to do with these numbers?

  • Post them around your worship or fellowship space, like bulletin boards or in the bathroom, so people can see them
  • Have them on hand if you receive a phone call from someone in need of crisis support
  • Share with staff and volunteers so they know what is available as they minister to others.

 

Trainings for those working with young people

  • Mental Health First Aid ($; grants are available in 39 states)
    • Understand risk factors and warning signs for common mental health challenges, review typical adolescent development and learn a 5-step mental health action plan to help youth in both crisis and non-crisis situations.
  • LivingWorks Start and LivingWorks Faith ($)
    • In just 90 minutes online, LivingWorks Start teaches trainees to recognize when someone is thinking about suicide and connect them to help and support. LivingWorks Faith is 5-6 hour online learning program featuring information, simulations, and stories from over a dozen faith leaders and suicide survivors.
  • QPR Suicide Gatekeeper training ($)
    • Recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis. Learn how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. Online or inperson. 1-2 hours
  • Talk Saves Lives ($)
    • An introduction to Suicide Prevention is a community-based presentation that covers the general scope of suicide, the research on prevention, and what people can do to fight suicide. From the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Tools for those working with young people

  • Toolkit for mental health promotion and suicide prevention
    • K-12 Toolkit for mental health promotion and suicide prevention
    • This Toolkit has drawn on evidence based national and state youth suicide prevention guidelines, including those issued by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC),and the states of California and Maine, among others.
    • Includes resources for mental health promotion, intervention, and postvention.
  • Know the signs suicide prevention website
    • On-line tool to help with understanding signs of suicide or crisis
  • Mental Health in Parish Ministry by Formed
    • When someone is struggling with their mental health, do you know how to minister to them? From the elderly to the youth, families, and singles, wealthy and impoverished, people face more mental health concerns than ever. As a minister, what is your role? What should you do? What is helpful? What is harmful? Sister Josephine Garrett, a licensed Catholic counselor and therapist will provide answers to these questions. Embrace your parishioners, family, self, and colleagues with love, compassion, and truth. You will walk away from this course with a plan of action to best receive God’s people in the most challenging moments of their life.
  • Coming Soon: Sanctuary Youth Series
    • Their youth resource will be centered on the pressing questions that young people are asking about faith and mental health. It will provide space to engage these questions and start important conversations in youth groups and church communities.

Tools for Youth

  • Crisis Text Line
    • A free, 24/7 support for those in crisis, connecting people in crisis to trained crisis counselors. Text “hello” to 741741
    • A “crisis” doesn’t just mean suicide: it’s any painful emotion for which you need support
      • bullying, school stress, depression, anxiety, suicide, relationships, friendships, family problems, self-harm
  • GritX.org
    • Free online intervention to increase student resiliency. Provides adolescents and young adults with the very highest levels of mental health care, so they can become their very finest selves, with a deep love of life and an abiding connection to others and the world around them.

Other Websites