The Office of Youth Ministry - Resources

Religious Education Institute; In Hope We Are Saved

Amy Eschelbach — Wed, 21 May 2008 14:50:12 -0500

Start: Aug 11 2008 - 9:00am

End: Aug 11 2008 - 2:45pm

"In Hope We Are Saved!" is the theme of the 2008 Religious Education Institute. For several years, the Catholic Education Office has focused on the Catholic Identity of our schools and parish programs and ways to develop and deepen our personal relationship with the person of Jesus Christ. This year's theme, taken from the second encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI, will further strengthen and develop that effort as we continue to promote the New Evangelization throughout the Archdiocese in our Catholic schools and parish programs.

Keynote Speaker: Colleen Carroll Campbell

Catholic Education Office

Institute for New Youth Ministers

Sr. M. Consolata Crews FSGM — Wed, 21 May 2008 10:32:40 -0500

Start: Jul 29 2008 - 10:00am

End: Aug 1 2008 - 10:59am

"Designed by veteran youth ministers, the INYM is a preparation checklist and road map just for you! The four day conference will help new youth ministers (0-4 years experience) focus on developing the right vision, the right lifestyle, the right relationships, and the right practical methodologies for growing a disciple-making youth ministry."

Co-sponsored by: Cultivation Ministries and NACYML

Cost: $549 fee covers housing, all meals and evening receptions, workbook, and some essential youth ministry resources.

Location: Techny Towers near the Chicago North Shore

For more information or questions please contact Cultivation Ministries at 630.513.8222

FREE Narnia Resource

Sr. M. Consolata Crews FSGM — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 15:21:12 -0500

From Interlinc: "You are invited to become a Narnia "Insider" and we'll equip you with all the resources to use this special event in your ministry. As a Narnia "Insider" you will receive a 32 page "Behind The Scenes" Youthworker Guide, Resource DVD, and large Movie Poster. You'll also get the weekly electronic "Narnia Dispatch" with downloadable videos, interviews, youth group materials, and a ton of other "Behind The Scenes" resources - right as they come out! Best of all - it's totally FREE!

The movie is released on May 16th!

How to become on "Insider":

Go to www.interlinc-online.com/princecaspian or call 1.800.725.3300

Contemplative Outreach Seminar

Sr. M. Dolorosa — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 10:13:58 -0500

As a Youth Minister, you've probably had a student share with you more than once his or her worries about the future, concerns about what others think, and self-condemning feelings. With all of these thoughts running through your teen's heads, it can make expressing to them how much God loves them incredibly difficult.

Contemplative Outreach Ltd. and the Archdiocese of St. Louis will be hosting a seminar for those who work with youth on Thursday, January 10th, 7-9 pm and Saturday, January 12th, 9:30-11:30 am at the Cardinal Rigali Center. This seminar will provide an opportunity to learn more about Centering Prayer, our Christian contemplative tradition and ways that you can bring it to young people. This seminar is offered free of charge. If you would like to attend this seminar, please R.S.V.P. to coyouthandyoungadult@yahoo.com with the date of the seminar you would like to attend.

Free Resources

Sr. M. Dolorosa — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 15:29:15 -0500

Are you looking to find great resources for your youth ministry, but you don't know where to look? Maybe you are looking for a great night for your teens focusing on Advent. Here's a whole page of free resources just waiting to be downloaded. What are you waiting for?

Stirring it Up!

Sr. M. Dolorosa — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 15:13:43 -0500

Paul Masek, the coordinator of the REAP Team of our Office of Youth Ministry here in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, has just published Stirring It Up. This three-part book project, which was developed with Catholic teenagers in mind, includes a book "Stirring It Up" (practical tips for staying close to God), another book "All Bottled Up" (letters from teens answered) and an audio CD "Stirring It Up More" (which contains additional inspirational material).

Paul developed this book project out of a desire to share with teens everything he considers most important for growing closer to Jesus - but that he never has time to share on the retreats the REAP Team offers.

Information about this project, including reviews and ordering information, can be found at www.stirringitup.org

There is also an article in the St. Louis Review about Paul's book project.

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Sr. M. Dolorosa — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 12:09:43 -0500

If you are a youth minister and have ever wondered if what you were doing at your parish was really making a difference, you probably asked yourself at least once should I stay or should I go? Am I right? Duffy Robbins a member of the Youth Specialties Resource Seminar Team has provided some great insight into this topic. He speaks not only from his personal experience but also from the experiences of other youth ministers.

Adore Ministries

Sr. M. Dolorosa — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 10:35:50 -0500

If you're looking for a ministry that will lead people closer to the heart of Christ through Adoration, here's just the ministry for you- ADORE ministries.

"ADORE ministry dreams of a New Springtime igniting the Church - a revival where Christians bow their lives before God. They also dream of a generation completely free to worship God. ADORE is a ministry with a passion for leading people to God, as they blend the traditions of ancient worship with the penetrating freedom of modern worship. Through preaching that cuts to the heart and worship that leads to a deep encounter with God, the ministry of ADORE is captured in Psalm 86, "all nations shall come to ADORE you and glorify your name, O Lord." ~taken from Adoreworship.com~

"Pray on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
With this in mind, be alert and keep praying." Ephesians 6:18

For more information visit: Adore Worship

100 Things Every Catholic Teen Should Know

Sr. M. Dolorosa — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 09:52:57 -0500

Do you wonder why, as Catholics, we do some of the things we do? Do you ever find yourself wishing for short, simple answers as to what the Church teaches and why we claim it as truth?

Let 100 Things Every Catholic Teen Should Know bring to light a bunch of things you might already know and a ton of stuff you probably don't. Mark Hart and Todd Lemieux have an undeniably unique way to make the most controversial and complicated Church teachings, entertaining and effortless to follow. Let these two authors show you not only how great it is to be Catholic, but how fun it is to be Catholic, as well.

Beat the rush and allow us to pack up a gift for your teens this Christmas that will last more than a season. Purchase up a copy for your teens (and your Core) today!

Price Breakdown
$9.95 (1-25 copies)
$8.95 (26-50 copies)
$7.95 (51 or more copies)

Outreach that really reaches out!

Sr. M. Dolorosa — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 13:31:27 -0500

Are you looking for a way to reach out to those teens who don’t know Jesus, but you just simply haven’t found the means to? Do you have new teens come for a prayer night, but then never return and are looking for a way to keep them coming? The Source for youth ministry can provide you with some great examples of what actually works and what doesn’t in their latest article on effective outreach.

Popping into culture!

Sr. M. Dolorosa — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 13:27:57 -0500

Are you a parent who’s feeling out of touch with today’s culture? You want to feel more in touch with the youth culture today, but don’t know how. The Center for parent/youth understanding can help you in this. They can keep you updated on youth culture today so that you can understand youth culture in order to impact the lives of the teens you serve. Check out their latest article on parenting and teen distraction.

Pillars of Prayer

Sr. M. Dolorosa — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:54:10 -0500

Start: May 27 2008 - 5:30pm

End: May 27 2008 - 6:30pm

Pillars of Prayer meets every fourth Tuesday for adoration, the rosary and mass.

For more information check out www.stlyouth.org/pillarsofprayer

Please e-mail your prayer intentions to: pillar@stlyouth.org

Location

20 Archbishop May Drive

St. Louis, MO, 63119

See map: Google Maps, Yahoo! Maps, MapQuest

Pillars of Prayer

Sr. M. Dolorosa — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:52:35 -0500

Start: Apr 22 2008 - 5:30pm

End: Apr 22 2008 - 6:30pm

Pillars of Prayer meets every fourth Tuesday for adoration, the rosary and mass.

For more information check out www.stlyouth.org/pillarsofprayer

Please e-mail your prayer intentions to: pillar@stlyouth.org

Location

20 Archbishop May Drive

St. Louis, MO, 63119

See map: Google Maps, Yahoo! Maps, MapQuest

Pillars of Prayer

Sr. M. Dolorosa — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:48:20 -0500

Start: Feb 26 2008 - 5:30pm

End: Feb 26 2008 - 6:30pm

Pillars of Prayer

Pillars of Prayer meets every fourth Tuesday for adoration, the rosary and mass.

For more information check out www.stlyouth.org/pillarsofprayer

Please e-mail your prayer intentions to: pillar@stlyouth.org

Location

20 Archbishop May Drive

St. Louis, MO, 63119

See map: Google Maps, Yahoo! Maps, MapQuest

Pillars of Prayer

Amy Eschelbach — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 22:21:03 -0500

Start: Nov 27 2007 - 5:30pm

End: Nov 27 2007 - 6:30pm

Pillars of Prayer

Pillars of Prayer meets every fourth Tuesday for adoration, the rosary and mass.

For more information check out www.stlyouth.org/pillarsofprayer

Please e-mail your prayer intentions to: pillar@stlyouth.org

Location

Cardinal Rigali Center

20 Archbishop May Dr.

St. Louis, MO

See map: Google Maps, Yahoo! Maps, MapQuest

Pillars of Prayer

Amy Eschelbach — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 22:19:13 -0500

Start: Oct 23 2007 - 5:30pm

End: Oct 23 2007 - 6:30pm

Pillars of Prayer

Pillars of Prayer meets every fourth Tuesday for adoration, the rosary and mass.

For more information check out www.stlyouth.org/pillarsofprayer

Please e-mail your prayer intentions to: pillar@stlyouth.org

Location

Cardinal Rigali Center

20 Archbishop May Dr.

St. Louis, MO

See map: Google Maps, Yahoo! Maps, MapQuest

Pillars of Prayer

Amy Eschelbach — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 22:15:07 -0500

Start: Sep 25 2007 - 5:30pm

End: Sep 25 2007 - 6:30pm

Pillars of Prayer

Pillars of Prayer meets every fourth Tuesday for adoration, the rosary and mass.

For more information check out www.stlyouth.org/pillarsofprayer

Please e-mail your prayer intentions to: pillar@stlyouth.org

Location

Cardinal Rigali Center

20 Archbishop May Dr.

St. Louis, MO

See map: Google Maps, Yahoo! Maps, MapQuest

Pillars of Prayer

Amy Eschelbach — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 22:08:40 -0500

Start: Aug 28 2007 - 5:30pm

End: Aug 28 2007 - 6:30pm

Pillars of Prayer

Pillars of Prayer meets every fourth Tuesday for adoration, the rosary and mass.

For more information check out www.stlyouth.org/pillarsofprayer

Please e-mail your prayer intentions to: pillar@stlyouth.org

Location

Cardinal Rigali Center

20 Archbishop May

St. Louis, MO

See map: Google Maps, Yahoo! Maps, MapQuest

Pillars of Prayer

Amy Eschelbach — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 22:06:34 -0500

Start: Jul 24 2007 - 5:30pm

Pillars of Prayer

Pillars of Prayer meets every fourth Tuesday for adoration, the rosary and mass.

For more information check out www.stlyouth.org/pillarsofprayer

Please e-mail your prayer intentions to: pillar@stlyouth.org

Location

Cardinal Rigali Center

20 Archbishop May Dr.

St. Louis, MO

See map: Google Maps, Yahoo! Maps, MapQuest

Pillars of Prayer

Amy Eschelbach — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 22:03:47 -0500

Start: Jun 26 2007 - 5:30pm

End: Jun 26 2007 - 6:30pm

Pillars of Prayer

Pillars of Prayer meets every fourth Tuesday for adoration, the rosary and mass.

For more information check out www.stlyouth.org/pillarsofprayer

Please e-mail your prayer intentions to: pillar@stlyouth.org

Location

Cardinal Rigali Center

20 Archbishop May Dr.

St. Louis, MO

See map: Google Maps, Yahoo! Maps, MapQuest

VT Resources

Dan Thraen — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 15:40:20 -0500

For those who work in campus ministry, this past week has been one of great sadness, as they try to understand the carnage that left 33 people dead at Virginia Tech on April 16th.

The question that comes to mind is, “Why does God allow such evil to take place?” The answer: “In order for a greater good to come about.”

The greater good in the first few days was prayer. Many shaken college students across the country turned to prayer. That same day and in the following week, special Masses and vigils were planned at campuses across the country. Prayer has a way of healing those who are hurting.

This weekend may be the first opportunity for many youth ministers to talk about the VT tragedy with their teens. Life Teen has put together a Life Night to assist you in approaching this tragic event and difficult topic.

Virginia Tech Life Night (pdf)

VT Resources

Breaking the Ice!

stlyouth — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 09:44:34 -0500

From large groups to gross and messy to outdoor games, The Source for Youth Ministry will give you some ideas for your upcoming youth nights and gatherings. You'll find something fun to do with just a few or answer the questions to find a game that fits your needs. Whether it has a point to it or not, you'll find something to fit your group!

OCP Parish Grants

stlyouth — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 10:15:21 -0500

The OCP Parish Grants program provides direct financial assistance to parishes striving to enhance their worship experience!

Since its inception, the program has awarded nearly $700,000 of assistance
Large and small parishes in every diocese in the United States have received grants - over 350 in total
Grants are limited to Catholic parishes
All parishes are welcome to apply, even if they do not use an OCP worship program
The purpose of the grant request must be linked to liturgy and/or music

Downloadable and online applications are available on our website at www.ocp.org/grants and may be submitted between April 30 and June 30, 2007. Recipients will be announced in spring 2008.

Lenten Prayer Series - Conversion of the Heart

stlyouth — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 12:38:56 -0500

SEEKING a time to focus on your interior life?
IN NEED of a place to reflect on how God is present in your everyday experiences?
EAGERLY awaiting to grow in the awareness of God’s love for you?
COME to the CONVERSION OF THE HEART series

MEETINGS INCLUDE:
Spiritual reading on the topic
Catechism reference
Scripture passage
Sharing questions
Sharing guidelines

WHO:
This series is open for teens, young adults, youth ministers, core members, donors, and friends of the OYM! You will be in the same faith sharing group each week. Teens and adults will be in separate groups. See contact below to sign up for the series or for just the first week!

WHEN:
6 Weeks of Lent
February 27/28 to April 3/4

TIME:
Tuesday from 6:30-7:30pm
OR
Wednesday from 10:00-11:00am

WHERE:
Cardinal Rigali Center - in the Museum on the first floor

CONTACT:
Sign up by contacting Sr. M. Consolata at
314.633.2508 or srmconsolata@archstl.org

The CORE 2007

stlyouth — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 15:37:28 -0500

Start: Mar 31 2007 - 8:15am

End: Mar 31 2007 - 1:15pm

Youth Specialties is offering its Spring Traning: The CORE 2007

TOPIC: Helping Hurting Kids

Session 1: Understanding Their Hidden Hurts

Session 2: Critical Skills for Tackling the Tough Stuff

Session 3: Successful Response Strategies

This training is essential for anyone working with teenagers. The content was developed by Marv Penner and Rich Van Pelt, who have each spent several decades in youth ministry. Marv chairs the youth and family ministry department at Briercrest Bible College and Seminary in Saskatchewan, Canada. He’s the author of Help! My Kids are Hurting!, and is working on a new book on the topic of cutting. Rich was integral in the crisis response and healing after the Columbine shootings, and has spent more than ten years working with the juvenile corrections department in Colorado. He’s the co-author of The Youth Worker’s Guide to Helping Teenagers in Crisis.

Together, they have devoted a great deal of research and personal experience into this CORE training.

Don’t miss this important day of training! Come discover what is at the CORE of the students you work with and how anyone involved in their lives can respond to their pain.

Check out the website for more details!

Location

Concord Church

13775 Tesson Ferry Rd.

St. Louis, MO, 63128

See map: Google Maps, Yahoo! Maps, MapQuest

Audio Apologetics: Fr. Morris

stlyouth — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 11:53:55 -0500

Were you unable to make it to Resource and Renewal - Apologetics Without Apology this past week? Were you there, but wanted to listen again to Fr. Morris's responses to your questions about the faith. Check out this audio recording of the night!

Some of the topics covered:

How to address the topic of homosexuality with a teen
How should you explain male priesthood to a teenage girl?
What is Liberation Theology?
What do you say when someone says it doesn't matter what church you attend, i.e. baptist, lutheran, methodist?
What happened to the bishop in Poland?
Why does the protestant bible have fewer books than the Catholic bible?
Did Mary suffer birth pains?
How do you deal with altar calls from protestants?
If you had one thing to tell a teen about the faith, what would it be?

Fr Larry Richards

Dan Thraen — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 15:03:30 -0500

If you happened to be at “STL Steubenville One” this past summer you may have listened to a very funny and optimistic priest by the name of Fr Larry Richards. For those who may have never heard of Fr Larry, well here’s the scoop! Fr Larry is a very charismatic priest and preacher. His message is relevant to people of all ages. His presentations are enthusiastic and authentic to the teachings of the Catholic Church. His topics and materials will help to change a person’s life and challenge them to live a more authentic way of life in Christ. That is why he started The Reason For Our Hope Foundation in answer to 1 Peter 3:15: “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope.”

The purpose of The Reason For Our Hope Foundation is to fulfill the command of Christ to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 16:28). The mission of the Foundation is to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ and His Church through various multimedia resources and to make available Catholic speakers who are effective instruments of this evangelization. The Foundation also helps various charities that make real the Gospel of Jesus Christ. So what are you waiting for? Check out Fr Larry's website today!

Can you hear me now?

stlyouth — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 16:59:07 -0500

What would you say to a website that had Catholic music, Bible readings, information from the Vatican, a rosary, and apologetics? Pretty cool, huh?

Now, what if I told you that this was all available in podcast format, made available to you for listening from the comfort of your own iPod or computer? "Totally sweet" is what I'd say!

Your response might be something like, "That's great, but I need to check up on my over-ripe bananas." or "Holy cow, my cat just ate a basketball!" Well, unfortunately, the only response I can address is "Yes, that website does sound cool! How can I get there?"

Quite simply point your favorite web browser to Disciples with Microphones .

Also, don't forget about the fantastic podcasts provided by our very own REAP Team !

Group Magazine Live

stlyouth — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 14:44:50 -0500

Group Magazine Live is making it’s way to St. Louis again this year. This one day workshop is a great opportunity to reignite your youth program and rediscover your vision on life-changing youth ministry.

R&R is Back!

stlyouth — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 14:29:53 -0500

The OYM is happy to bring another semester of R&R. What is R&R you ask? Resource & Renewal. The learning is never done in youth ministry. Come to gather resources for your program, network with other youth ministers, and have an opportunity to renew your spirit through personal prayer. Core memebers are welcome!

Often times youth ministers ask: “Do I have to create my parishes youth program from scratch?” The answer is no. Our October R&R is “Why Reinvent the Wheel When You Can Customize It?” No, we are not talking about adding chrome and neon lights to your youth room, but sharing your favorite youth nights, retreat ideas, games ect. with other youth ministers and getting tons of new ideas for yourself. Bring your ideas to share October 10, 2006 7-9pm at the Cardinal Rigali Center.