Support From Sanctus

August 2010

(a free resource from Totally Catholic Fundraising)

Been There...Done That?

The teens in your group span a range from first-timers this fall, to six or even seven year veterans of your ministry to youth. The newcomers probably have both an expectant hope for something new and fun and a fear of the unknown. Your regulars from previous years however, may be bored!

It is a challenge to keep a ministry feeling "fresh" when it spans several years of young peoples lives. As youth ministers we fall too easily into the routine of what seems to work best for us - or what is easiest if we're short on time (and who isn't?).

Really put some thought into this as you put the finishing touches on your fall calendar. How can you switch a few things up to give it all a new look in some way? Where can you add a few minutes of fun or bursts of energy? How can you break the rigid feel of a slow part of your nights? Can you add some music ministry? When would it be appropriate to have teens do some sharing with the group about their own journey?

Kick-off night, the first meeting of the fall, should absolutely be something that says, "Look at this! You really haven't seen it all yet...". Make it fast-paced, social (in a controlled way), and fun. Let it be a night that by its very nature tells the teens that what's coming this fall will be new and improved.

You don't have to change the entire program. Just your perspective. See your ministry through the eyes of the teens. Literally. Have some of them work with you on how to "take it up a notch." Our message is life-giving. How about our methodology?  -Jim

...to New Orleans, where Catholic tradition is as essential to the experience of the city as its rich cultural diversity and indomitable spirit. United in prayer and community, we march with renewed joie de vivre and rekindled mission, in celebration and solidarity with Saints past and present who have responded to the call of Christ in their lives.

If you haven't already registered for the NCCYM, check out all of the information at nccym.nfcym.org

We'll be there, and we look forward to meeting you and showing you some of our wares in person.

In your goodness, Lord Jesus Christ, take our faith to a new level so that our prayer—our capacity to commune with you—may itself rise to a new level. Help us, Jesus, to surrender more to your power and love and the impulses of your Spirit, that we may serve you on a new, more courageous level. We ask this in your holy name.

Amen.

This prayer is taken from A Retreat with Pope John Paul II

Those who say you can't take it with you never saw a car packed for a vacation trip.  ~Author Unknown

Youth Ministry Tips

Tip #85

If you have students who play musical instruments, let them play during youth prayer/worship times. It will build their confidence and leadership abilities, and possibly improve your singing.

Tip #102

Use icebreakers and other short, fun things to break up the “usual” flow and feel of the youth nights. Don’t let it be a routine week-in and week-out. Keep the teens guessing instead of having them say how boring it’s become.

I CHOOSE 

"It’s quiet. It’s early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming. In a few moments the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of solitude will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met. For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day’s demands. It is now that I must make a choice. Because of Calvary, I’m free to choose. And so I choose......

I CHOOSE LOVE...No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.

I CHOOSE JOY...I will invite my God to be the God of circumstances. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical...the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I CHOOSE PEACE...I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

I CHOOSE PATIENCE .....I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I’ll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clenching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I CHOOSE KINDNESS...I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

I CHOOSE GOODNESS...I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse.

I CHOOSE FAITHFULNESS...Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My wife will not question my love. And my children will never fear that their father will not come home.

I CHOOSE GENTLENESS...Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.

I CHOOSE SELF-CONTROL...I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will not, rule the eternal. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ.

LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS AND SELF CONTROL Gal.5:22,23

To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek His grace. And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest with the peace that passes all understanding."

-- Author Unknown

Try This Icebreaker: Sardines

I also like to call it "seek & go hide"! Have everyone assemble in one room. The first player leaves the room and hides away somewhere. The remaining players follow after giving enough time to hide. Once someone finds the first player's hiding-place they join him or her there. The third has to find the first two and join them…and so on.

The game ends when all the players are packed in the same hiding spot.  Yes, it gets ridiculously impossible to hide everyone. That's part of the fun. The first finder will be "it" next so there's no incentive to linger. If people are around you when you spy the hider(s), you can pretend not to see them and come back when there's no one else around to see you join them.

This game can be done with any number of people. It's a blast and the teens won't want to stop.

No man needs a vacation so much as the person who has just had one.  ~Elbert Hubbard

Two teen boys were standing on the sidewalk discussing the two teen girls across the street. They were approached by a young man who said, "Hey, can you tell me where the post office is?"

One teen replied, "Sure, just go straight down the street two blocks and it's on your right."

The man thanked the boy and then said, "I'm the new youth minister at St. Mary’s Church up the street, and I'd like you to come to check out our youth group on Sunday night. We'll tell you how to get to Heaven."

The second teen replied with a chuckle, "I don't think so. You don't even know the way to the post office!"