Compassionate God, You call us to respond with open hearts, open minds and open hands. Be with us in our ministry as we seek to Invite young people to connect with the Gospel message; to Form them in their growing faith; to Challenge them as disciples of Christ; and to Send them out to make a difference in our world. We make this prayer through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Gospel: Luke 6: Love your enemies and do good, and lend without any hope of return. You will have a great reward, and you will be sons and daughters of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. ‘Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge, and you will not be judged yourselves; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned yourselves; grant pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap; because the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given back.’

Holy Spirit, We ask for a renewed outpouring of your power, energy and gifts upon our Archdiocese so that our efforts to embrace the person and vision of Jesus; to build Communion with God and others; and to engage in Christ’s Mission in our world will touch the hearts of young people throughout southeast Queensland and make a difference in our world. Amen

Archdiocesan Commission for Ministry with Young People Emerged from the Synod process Priority of Archdiocesan Vision - “young people are helped by a set of faith development opportunities to integrate their faith with everyday experience.” Membership of young people and those who are engaged in ministry. acmyp

Ministry with Young People: a dynamic framework Result of consultation over many years A common understanding; a common focus; a common direction Some defining principles about Ministry with Young People A framework for ministry with young people Its effectiveness will only be realised through its implementation by groups

Launched in July 2006 at the Archdiocesan launch for WYD 2008 and the Archdiocesan Strategic Focus on Ministry with Young People Framework needs to be underpinning all initiatives around WYD2008 Provides us with building blocks for the shape and feel of ministry with young people beyond WYD Ministry with Young People: a dynamic framework

The Goal of Ministry with Young People The goal of ministry with young people in this Archdiocese is that young people – Embrace the person and vision of Jesus Build Communion with God and others Engage in Jesus’ Mission in our world.

Four steps in Ministry with Young People

INVITE: helping young people to Connect with the message of Jesus (evangelisation) FORM: helping young people to Grow in their knowledge and faith (catechesis) CHALLENGE : helping young people to Choose to respond to the call of the Gospel (life discernment) SEND: helping young people to Go out to others with a sense of purpose and mission (mission) Four Steps

This step within the framework challenges those engaged in ministry with young people to move outside existing comfort zones and seek opportunities to actively engage with young people in new and creative ways as well as in ordinary, welcoming ways. For young people this is the invitation to connect with the Gospel message of Jesus, to connect with one another in supportive and positive relationships, and to connect with the community of faith. Invite (evangelisation)

This step calls for a process of ongoing formation which extends itself to the development of a healthy spirituality and prayer life. Opportunities should be created to assist young people in their growing awareness that to be a disciple means to be growing in one’s faith and exploring how that is made manifest in everyday life. This formation can take the form of direct catechesis, or training, but it can also come through the witness and role modelling of others. Form (catechesis)

In Ecclesia in Oceania, the term ‘maturing disciples’ indicates that young people are not ‘disciples in waiting’ but rather full and active members of the community who are deserving of our best efforts to form and nurture their growing faith. Form (catechesis)

This step calls for creative opportunities that challenge young people to make decisions about their lives, informed by the Gospel and the faith community. It is a call to take up the challenge of becoming full and active members of their faith and civic communities. We are called to find appropriate ways to assist young people in their discernment of the many options with which they are continually presented. All the while we are constantly inviting them to come to a fuller appreciation of what it means to be a disciple - a follower of Christ. Challenge (life discernment)

Whether through the proclamation of the Gospel, witness, through compassionate action or active participation in the local faith community, young people should be provided with avenues for the expression of their response to God’s call. It is imperative that any ministry with young people has as a key element a commissioning of young people for action in the world. Young people need to hear the challenge of the Gospel and identify ways in which they can respond to that challenge through their lives. Send (mission)

Does this Framework ring true to your experience of ministry with young people? Which areas of the Framework have been your focus? What are you challenged by in the 4 step Framework? Take time during the break to write down strategies you believe will assist communities to utilise the Framework. Reflection Q’s

Principles for Conducting Ministry with Young People

1.A priority of the Archdiocese. One of 9 Archdiocesan Priorities. However, the challenge to respond to, engage with and animate the spiritual life of young people touches each of the other eight priorities, covering the breadth and depth of the Jesus Communion Mission Vision. Ministry with Young people is:

2.Grounded in the life experience of young people. Need to integrate faith with everyday experience. Youth ministry should begin with and be centred in the normal activities of the daily lives of young people. Youth ministry should affirm that which is healthy and life-affirming within the experience of young people and challenge that which is not. Ministry with Young people is:

3.Integrated within the community. Young people are a vital and life-giving part of the faith community. Ministry with young people in any given context is part of the woven fabric of church and local communities and does not happen in isolation. While some individuals will have a particular role and responsibility in youth ministry, a healthy ministry flourishes in the midst of an engaged and welcoming community. It is imperative that ministry with young people participates in an active dialogue with the broader Church community. Ministry with Young people is:

4.Inclusive of all. The social and cultural contexts that are a reality within the Archdiocese will have a significant impact on the style and approach of ministry that is used with young people. Ministry is inclusive of the wide diversity of cultural backgrounds and ethnicity that characterise the Archdiocese. It is also inclusive of young people with disabilities and welcomes a variety of expressions of spirituality consistent with the Jesus Communion Mission Vision. Ministry with Young people is:

5.Part of an ongoing journey. The time of adolescence and early adulthood are important times in the formation of identity, relationships and faith. It is part of a lifelong journey of evangelisation, catechesis, life discernment and mission. Ministry with young people builds on the foundations laid in childhood through various forms of children’s ministry and helps prepare young people for full, adult participation in the life of the Church and community. Ministry with Young people is:

6.Aware of the needs of others. An essential component of nurturing and forming the faith of young people is to seek out and provide opportunities for outreach within and beyond the faith community. Ministry encourages young people to look beyond themselves and to respond to the needs of others, particularly the marginalised. Those engaged in ministry with young people should also seek to identify opportunities for collaboration and partnership beyond their own ministry. Ministry with Young people is:

7.Conducted to, with, for and by young people. Young people are not only the focus of ministry but are also essential participants in the ministry, sharing in decision-making, ownership and leadership. Ministry ‘to’ focuses on the provision of leadership and direction by adults to meet the needs of young people. In ministry ‘with’ adults stand in solidarity with young people and share their journey. Ministry ‘for’ is advocacy on behalf of young people that may be conducted by adults or young people. Ministry ‘by’ sees young people taking responsibility for all elements of their involvement in the life of the faith community, including peer to peer youth ministry. Ministry with Young people is:

8.Supported by adults. The primary responsibility for introducing and nurturing the faith of young people lies with their parents and families. Ministry with young people seeks to support and build upon this role of family. Other significant adults play an important role in ministry with young people through providing leadership, mentoring, role modelling, Christian witness and teaching. Ministry with Young people is:

9.Occurs within a safe environment. The safety and well-being of young people is an important consideration in any element of ministry with young people. The Church conducts its ministry within relevant statutory and legislative frameworks (e.g. Working with Children and Young People legislation, Workplace Health and Safety requirements, Privacy legislation, etc). Ministry with Young people is:

Which of these Principles are being addressed in your community? Which need to be better addressed? Which principles does your community need more information on and in-service around? How does the Archdiocesan Framework document impact your community’s ministry with young people? Reflection Q’s