Reaching Youth for Christ
"In my father's house, there are many rooms." - John 4:2
As coordinators of ministry, we work to get people to the door and through the door of our father's house!
By creating opportunities, building community, and challenging people, we work to help young people recognize the doors in their lives. We meet youth where they are in their own lives, to more fully and truly be able to walk with them as they seek the door that the Lord has in mind for them. Meeting people where they are on the road is what we're hoping to do well. From there, we can walk with them and offer all those on the journey the tools to deepen their faith experience and their relationship with Jesus Christ, who walks with them.
Our ministry runs the gamut. In coordinating ministry, we need to both reach out to people who may not be active in their faith and offer continued support and opportunities to those who are active.
What a gift to have the opportunity to serve in ministry! We are privileged to walk with you and are here to serve you as resource, advocate and companion on the road.
Competent and Confident Role Models on the Road...
Our goal is simple: to offer formational opportunities that will add to the depth of how we walk the road of our faith with young people, both for their well-being as well as for our own growth in faith.
COMPREHENSIVE...to provide opportunities for adults to gain both knowledge and skill to effectively and creatively walk with young people as they more generously share their gifts and talents with parish communities.
CREATIVE...to offer a variety of learning experiences: workshops, formational experiences, diocesan-wide events to gather as the larger Church, networking opportunities, and more.
COLLABORATIVE... to reinforce and affirm our younger generations as vital components of vibrant parish life, empowering young people to own their faith and to more deeply live the "Yes!" of their Confirmation.
Youth Ministry Specialization Training for Adults
Open to all adults who walk with youth
The sessions run monthly from September through March and focus on the basic components of starting a vibrant youth ministry. Centered on Renewing the Vision, the US Bishops' document on youth ministry, our program offers a solid foundation in comprehensive youth ministry. We have based the majority of our program on the eight components of comprehensive youth ministry provided to us by the USCCB in Renewing the Vision. Using the expertise of veteran talent in our diocese, our presenters facilitate engaging discussions to delve into some of youth ministry's basics.
Please contact Rudy Gomez at 609-406-7440 for more information.
Servant Leadership in the 21st century
A day to inspire all parish ministers who walk with youth
Great ministry doesn’t just happen. Today’s ministry challenges require an approach that maximizes our gifts and talents as ministers, and gives us the courage to teach the Gospel in a way that grows disciples. Following in Jesus’ footsteps, we heed the call to serve others with joy and faithfulness. Join us as we find ways to sharpen our skills and formulate an effective game plan for the New Evangelization!
For more information on the next event, contact Rudy Gomez at 609-406-7440 or rgomez@dioceseoftrenton.org
National Conference for Catholic Youth Ministry, NCCYM 2014
Get recharged for your service to the young Catholic Church! NCCYM will fill you—heart, mind, and soul—so that you can return refreshed, renewed, and recommitted to the unique ministry and mission into which God has called you.
This offering happens every two years. CLICK HERE for more information and to register! NCCYM is a worthwhile experience for all adults who walk with youth.
Resources for Adults Who Walk with Youth
Social Media Guidelines
We need to meet young people where they are. These days, that means we need to enter into the virtual community of the internet. Please CLICK HERE for the Guidelines for Ministry and Social Media for the Diocese of Trenton.
Safe Environments
Policies ensuring the safety of our young people are also there to protect the adults walking with youth. All adults who walk with youth in our schools and parishes need to stay updated with Virtus through their continuing education readings. Please CLICK HERE for the Virtus website. For help troubleshooting the website, feel free to contact Margaret Dziminski of the Department of Administrative Services at 609-403-7170 or Rudy Gomez, coordinator of Youth Ministry at 609-406-7440.
Creative Links for "Borrowing" and for Support!
tripthroughthewires.com The blog for youth ministry from the Diocese of Trenton
nfcym.org The National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry
wingclips.com A source for movie clips and themes for youth gatherings
http://www.thesource4ym.com/ A cache of ice-breakers and materials for all who walk with youth