A short overview of the Confirmed in Action and Arise for Youth programs offered by the Diocese of Lubbock Office of Youth Ministry.

1. Office of Youth Ministry
Catholic Youth, Evangelization
& Arise for Youth
Parish visits 2013

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Study of Matthew Kelly:
1 million teens get confirmed each year.
15%
85%
Leave the Church
Before 30

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National Study of Youth and
Religion:
Catholic Teenagers and Their Parents
By Robert McCarty
Conclusions and Recommendations:
1.Religion is important to Catholic Youth
Recommendation: Faith communities
must provide Comprehensive Youth
Ministry drawing youth into the life, mission
and work of the church.

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2. Catholic Youth are severely incapable of
articulating their faith.
Recommendation: a practical blueprint for
developing effective catechetical programs
with varied formats, settings, approaches, and
opportunities for faith formation and spiritual
practices
Conclusions and Recommendations

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Conclusions and Recommendations
3.Young people faithfully “mirror” the
religious life of their parents and serve as a
“barometer” of the larger faith community.
Recommendation: Intentional outreach to
families, connecting families with the life of the
faith community, and renew efforts in adult
catechesis

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Conclusions and Recommendations
4. Moralistic Therapeutic Deism, a religious
“Whatever-ism” is present when
engagement and education are weak.
Recommendation: Commit ourselves to
“New Evangelization” that proclaims the
challenging Good News and emphasizes
worship, service, justice and participation in
the faith community.

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Conclusions and Recommendations
5.The Catholic Church lacks institutional
commitment to youth evangelization and
formation at the parish and diocesan level.
Recommendation: Parishes need to provide
the resources, trained personnel and financial
support to implement the Bishop’s vision of
comprehensive youth ministry.

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John Paul II: New
Evangelization
 I. Encounter with Christ
 2. Conversion to the
values of the Gospel
 3. Small Christian
Community Support
 4. Outreach to the needy
as a community

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Goals of Youth Ministry;
Catholic Bishops
1. EMPOWERMENT
2. PARTICIPATION
3. Growth – Personal
and Spiritual

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Diocesan Youth Office Proposal
CIA – “Confirmed in Action”
Leadership training program for youth
who are confirmed.
Change the CCE format to get them more
involved in being a disciple within parish life.

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A. STEP ONE: Strengthening the CIA as a
small Christian Community
B. STEP TWO: CIA touching members of
their families, parish, and community with
love
Parish CIA Plan
C. STEP THREE: CIA reaching out to their
peers in their schools and community

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CIA Committees
Suggested committees:
Faith Study Committee, Social Committee, Service Committee
 WEEK 1: PLANNING for the month; put on a calendar and make
copies
 WEEK 2: BIBLE STUDY: Suggested Studies: Arise, YOUCAT,
Chiara Badano Program, saints, guest speaker
 WEEK 3: SOCIAL: Game or movie Night, eating out, concerts,
day road trip, sports events, snack or cooking night
 WEEK 4: SERVICE: Lead Arise program for Jr. or Sr. High,
McDonald House, helping a needy family, cleaning up the parish,
helping with a diocesan or parish retreat, visiting the elderly,
making cards for the sick, teaching CCD classes, planning a Jr.
High lock-in, helping with the parish Jamaica

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Sample Calendar
when “Arise” is not being used
Social
Activity
Planning
Meeting
After Mass
Study
Session
Service
Project

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“Arise together in Christ” for Youth
All five elements need to be
present for the group to fulfill
its purpose.
“Mission” is moving outward
because that is what we are
called to do - to put our faith
into action.
Some elements may be more
present or discernible at times
or during a particular session.
What is a small Christian Community?
A group of six to 10 persons who
come together to share faith: to
reflect on ways God is at work in
their lives.

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Schedule of Arise Sessions
Small communities meet weekly for six weeks
twice a year.
Communities throughout the parish meet on the
same weeks.
October - Mid November, 2013
Lent – 2014
October – Mid November 2014
Lent – 2015
October – Mid November 2015

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Structure and Purpose of a session
Step 1: Checking in (7-15 minutes)
 Introduction/ Check in (5 minutes)
 Opening of Hearts (2-5 minutes)
 Suggested Song (3-5 minutes)
Purpose:
1. To set aside this time to show how we lived out our
faith since we last met.
2. To create a community “where two or three are
gathered in my name, I am there among them”.
(Matthew18:20)

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Step 2:Diving into Our story (27-30) Millie being left out
An open-ended story concerning a situation of a teen’s life
today is presented (9-13 minutes)
 Reflection (2-3 minutes)
 Sharing our Stories (7-8 minutes)
Questions on the story meant to being about thought and sharing
Purpose:
1. To introduce the main theme of the session and to allow each
participant to place themselves in the story.
2. Everyone is invited to share briefly on the questions
Structure and purpose of a Session

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Step 3: Diving into God’s Story (27-30 Minutes)
Parable of the Sower
 The Word of God (5 minutes)
 Echoing God’s Word (2-3 minutes)
 Reflection (5-7 minutes)
 Sharing Our Stories (15 minutes)
Purpose:
1. Explores a Scripture passage as a starting point for how
God is speaking to us today.
2. Reflection invites us to a deeper understanding of the
scripture.
3. Questions prompt sharing-helping scripture to come alive.
Structure and purpose of a Session

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Step 4: Walk the Talk (15 minutes)
 Suggestions and commitment to action
(10 minutes)
 Walking On (5 minutes)
Purpose:
1. An invitation to act makes the final connection to the
wider community
2. The session concludes in prayer; we are sent to live
out our faith in our everyday lives.
Structure and purpose of a Session

20. Challenge
 What will you do as an individual member of
your parish to keep the youth who have been
confirmed ( CIA) coming to your parish?
 How can you help them to be involved as
leaders in your parish?

21.  Office of Youth Ministry
Sr. Jane Venhaus, OSF
Director
(806) 792-3943 x. 230
catholiclubbock.org/Youth-Ministry.html