Youth Ministry 202
Whether you’ve been associated with youth
ministry for a couple of years or a couple of decades, this
course will help you deepen your understanding of ministry
to youth and your role in this most important mission of
the Church. The course is designed for those dedicated to
mentoring youth into adult faith in the Roman Catholic Church
– whether you are a dedicated youth minister, coordinator
of youth ministry or diocesan staff person. It builds on
the principles articulated in the U.S. Bishops’ document
"Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry"
(discussed in the STEP course YM 101). While YM 101 is not
a prerequisite for this course, a thorough understanding
of Renewing the Vision is assumed in this course. This course
uses Dr. Robert McCarty’s The Vision of Catholic Youth
Ministry: Fundamentals, Theory and Practice as our primary
guide. Participants are required to have a copy of this
book to participate in the course.
Unit 1:
- The theological underpinnings of Catholic
Youth Ministry
- Christian Discipleship in Youth Ministry
Unit 2:
- The state of Catholic adolescents
today: myths and trends
Unit 3:
- The places and dimensions of youth
ministry - Family, Catholic Schools and Cultural Dimensions
Unit 4:
- Organization and Leadership considerations
for youth ministry.
All participants will be required to have
their own copy of The Vision of Catholic Youth Ministry:
Fundamentals, Theory, and Practice (edited by Robert
J. McCarty; St. Mary’s Press 2005). A copy of “The National
Study of Youth and Religion: Analysis of the Population
of Catholic Teenagers and Their Parents” will be sent to
each participant when the course begins. All other course
content will be available online in the course.
- Created by an experienced youth minister.
- Five weeks in duration, with one week
for orientation.
- Typically 15-20 students in each course.
- Supplemental readings are provided
to encourage further exploration of topic, internet links
provided for all readings.
- Weekly written assignments (150-200
words) required.
- Facilitator moderated chat sessions
with students in course.
Requirements for course include:
- Weekly reading of assigned texts.
- Participation in class discussion using
discussion area (minimum 2 comments, questions or responses
weekly.)
- Weekly written assignment (150-200
words.)
- Weekly chat session with other students
in course (3 required throughout course.)
- Course evaluation.
- 3 to 5 hours a week (time varies from
student to student depending on your learning style and
schedule.)
A Certificate of Completion awarding 20
Contact Hours will be sent upon completion of all course
requirements.
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Chris Culver completed
his Masters of Divinity in 2000 from the University
of Notre Dame. He has over ten years experience as
a catechist, and five years experience as associate
director in the Fort Wayne/South Bend Diocesan Office
of Youth Ministry. He has completed a national certificate
in youth ministry. He currently teaches at St. Joseph's
Catholic High School in South Bend. He loves the work
and challenges that come with youth ministry. He is
married and has three children, Ben, Sophie and Joshua.
Chris is also an officer in the United State's Naval
Reserve.
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Greg Sweeney is completing his 11th
year as a professional youth minister, serving parishes
in Phoenix, Arizona and South Bend, Indiana, as well
as spending seven years as a youth ministry volunteer
in Denver, Colorado and Phoenix. He earned a Master
of Arts degree in Pastoral Ministry from St. Mary's
University of Minnesota in Winona. Greg serves the youth
of Christ the King Parish and St. Joseph Parish, both
in South Bend, IN, where he lives and plays with his
wife, Tish and son, Patrick. |
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