Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Saskatoon

So 2011 has come, and we're ready to keep on rolling with awesome events!

To kick off the New Year we're inviting all High School Students to come out this Friday to DIG: I will follow you into the dark at St. Francis Xavier from 7-10:30 PM.

Come out dressed with your toboggans ready for some games in the dark, fun in the snow at Diefenbaker park, and sharing after! We will be talking about the darkness in our lives - clinical and spiritual. What is the truth? What are the myths? What are signs to look for in ourselves and our friends and how does our faith speak to this?

DIG is a monthly gathering for High School students sponsored by the YMO and supported by parish youth ministry leaders throughout Saskatoon. This year's theme is WHYtune, as we dive into moral issues and learn to form our conscience in faith to speak into the hard realities youth face.

DIG's yet to come are:

All DIG's are 7-11 unless otherwise advertized. Hope to see you there! 

peace

By Anne-Marie Hughes 

SASKATOON – The importance of using new media to reach out to youth was one of the issues addressed during a training session for youth leaders and volunteers held Nov. 20 in Saskatoon.

"Use the power of new media resources to meet youth where they are.  If you do not use the mediums these kids are experiencing you will not reach them, " advised presenter Laurie Friesen at “Youth Night 101: How to Develop and Lead a Youth Night.” 

Youth ministers and volunteers from the Saskatoon area and Prince Albert attended the daylong SaskCath Youth Ministry Training (YMT) session held at St. Anne’s parish in Saskatoon.

Discussion about new media resources – such as podcasts, websites and YouTube – was a prominent part of the day.  "While we might think youth should be more reflective and contemplative, they are bombarded with sensory information more than ever before and that is what they are used to.  Meet them there, " said Friesen, who is coordinator of Youth and Campus Ministry for the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon.  

While encouraging the use of exciting new media, Friesen also reminded planners to take time for quiet once youth have been engaged. "Often we have to teach young people how to be silent, " said Friesen stressing the importance of introducing silence as part of prayer at youth events.  "If you can't listen to yourself, you can't listen for God.  You can't hear your vocation."

SaskCath YMT is a new initiative of the youth ministry offices of the province. "We will be hosting semi-annual training days on various youth ministry topics to equip youth coordinators, volunteers, parents, priests – anyone involved or interested in youth ministry in a parish, school, diocese, or movement," said Colm Leyne, Youth Coordinator of the Saskatoon Diocese, "If you have a desire to get involved in youth ministry, or are struggling or need a refresher, these days are for you."

Youth Night 101 explored how to create, implement and facilitate a comprehensive youth night that could be adapted for use for the specific needs of a faith community. The program began with more general ideas like deciding on whether a youth event is lectionary based, seasonal, or topical in nature; or maybe a “hot issue” night. Participants also took part in small group planning for a specific event or evening.  The day was set up so participants would come away with a detailed plan that could be implemented at their particular parish.

Connecting youth ministers with useful resources was also part of the training session.  More traditional print materials were available for detailed examination, along with new ideas like inflatable prayer balls for tossing and stimulating group conversation.

Reaction to the training day was positive. "This is something I think all youth ministers should take time for, " said Elishah Stillborn from Holy Family parish in Saskatoon, adding that the day was about "brainstorming and coming back to the roots of what youth ministry is."

The next SaskCath YMT Workshop is to be held April 9th, so stay tuned for details!