August Youth Ministry Updates

Summer winding down! As you enjoy the last bits of warm weather and undergo planning and preparations for youth events in the upcoming academic year, know that you're in my prayers.

Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help or support you and your ministries at any point!

Pax et Bonum,

Kelly Donnelly

Save the date for the 2018 Youth Rally!! It is open to students in grades 6-12, and will be held in Canton. Details to follow!

If you're interested in being a part of the Youth Rally planning committee, please email Kelly at kdonnelly@rcdony.org.

Courses 3 & 4 of the Youth Minister Certification program will be offered this fall! The courses will be available in Watertown on November 4 and in Plattsburgh on November 18.

Email Andi at apage@rcdony.org to register.

A conference for Catholic school principals, teachers, staff, catechetical leaders, catechists, lay ministers, and all involved in parish ministry. At the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Lake Placid.

Keynote address: "Leadership Lessons from Pope Francis: Doing the Laundry, Dusty Shoes, and the Monastery Bell" presented by Chris Lowney.

Friday, October 20: For pastors, Catholic school principals, teachers, and school personnel.

Saturday, October 21: For pastors, parish catechetical leaders, catechists, youth minister, RCIA directors, adult faith formation, lay ministers, and all interested in parish ministry.

Register & pay online at: www.rcdony.org/celebrate

Share your thoughts about the role of youth in the Church!! This survey is being used for the preparatory document for the 2018 Synod of Bishops!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XLS5HW7

Discipleship: With the start of the new academic year, many youth ministry programs have some sort of "kick-off event." If you don't already have a kick-off event, consider hosting a simple youth gathering where new participants can have a chance to meet the other teens involved, pray, and have fun! If you already have a kick-off event, encourage youth who are already involved to invite at least one new friend to the event.

If you have a list of incoming youth from catechetical classes who are now old enough to participate in youth ministry events, guide the older youth who are already involved in reaching out to them. For instance, they can create individualized post-cards inviting the younger youth to youth ministry events or come to a catechetical class to describe youth ministry in your parish and invite the students to attend events.

Service: As the nation is gripped with watching footage of the impact of Hurricane Harvey, many youth will naturally want to do something to help. Keep your eyes peeled for ways to offer assistance and see if there is a way that your youth can get involved. For instance, perhaps youth can sponsor a can or bottle drive with proceeds going to Catholic Charities earmarked to help hurricane victims. They could also organize a drop-off for donations of needed items at your parish and then mail them to a church/school/outreach program accepting donations

https://catholiccharitiesusa.org/efforts/disaster-operations

Knowledge: Pope Prancis' talk "The the only future worth building includes everyone" is full of beautiful statements that can be a wonderful starting point for growing in knowledge about many topics. The transcript of the entire talk, along with the video, makes it easy to determine which section of the talk you would like to focus on and can be paired with a workshop focused on some of the Scripture references, Catholic social teaching, Mother Teresa, etc.

https://www.ted.com/talks/pope_francis_why_the_only_future_worth_building_includes_everyone/transcript

September 1: Hearts on Fire. Praise & Worship Holy Hour at Notre Dame in Malone. 7:00-8:00 every first Friday. Get more information from office@standres.org.

September 15: Diocesan Youth Council Applications due for ’17-’18 Academic Year. This is a wonderful opportunity for students in grades 10-12 to grow in faith and leadership. Find details and applications at www.rcdony.org/youth.

September 29-October 1: YOUth Lead, Leadership Weekend Retreat. Held at Guggenheim, this weekend-long retreat is an opportunity to grow in leadership, faith, and fellowship. Registrations are limited. Open to grades 9-12. Register at www.rcdony.org/youth/leadership.

October 1: Registration Opens for Youth Buses for Life. Go to rcdony.org/prolife for registration and more information.

October 6: Hearts on Fire. Praise & Worship Holy Hour at Notre Dame in Malone. 7:00-8:00 every first Friday. Get more information from office@standres.org.

October 4: Work the Work: Living the Works of Mercy. 6:30-8:00 at St. Peter's Church in Plattsburgh. Plattsburgh Lifeteen event. Email plattsburghlifeteen@gmail.com for more information.

October 13: Call & Mission. A free day-long retreat at Camp Guggenheim focused on vocations. Open to students in grades 6-8. Email kdonnelly@rcdony.org or crussell@rcdony.org for more information or a registration packet.

October 20-21: Celebrate Christ - - "Called to Lead." Come for an inspiring presentation by renowned speaker Chris Lowney, who will share his thoughts on how to revitalize the Catholic Church. October 20 is for pastors and teachers/administrators at Catholic schools. October 21 is for youth ministers/catechists/anyone involved in parish ministry.

October 29: Drive of Your Life! 6:00-8:00 at St. Peter's Church in Plattsburgh. Plattsburgh Lifeteen event. Email plattsburghlifeteen@gmail.com for more information.

November 4: Youth Minister Certification Courses 3 & 4 in Watertown. Course 3 (Communicating with Youth & Parents) and Course 4 (Discussing Faith & Morals with Youth in a Secular Culture) will be offered in Watertown from 9:00-12:00 on November 4. Email Andi at apage@rcdony.org to register.

November 10-16: NET Ministries offering various youth retreats in the diocese. There are still some openings - - contact Kelly at kdonnelly@rcdony.org to get more information in booking a NET retreat.

November 18: Youth Minister Certification Courses 3 & 4 in Plattsburgh. Course 3 (Communicating with Youth & Parents) and Course 4 (Discussing Faith & Morals with Youth in a Secular Culture) will be offered in Plattsburgh from 9:00-12:00 on November 18. Email Andi at apage@rcdony.org to register.

March 10: Lenten Retreat in Lowville, 10:00-5:00 (grades 6-12). Mark your calendars - - details to follow!

March 11: Lenten Retreat in Saranac Lake, 10:00-5:00 (grades 6-12). Mark your calendars -- details to follow!

April 28: Youth Rally in Canton (grades 6-12). Mark your calendars - - details to follow!

There are a lot of webinars sponsored by NFCYM coming up that look very interesting and relate to many of the issues that many of you have shown interest in. I encourage you to check out the schedule and watch any that you think would be helpful in your ministry!

http://www.nfcym.org/webinars/

God of wisdom and might,

we praise you for the wonder of our being,
for mind, body and spirit.
Be with our children as they begin
a new school year.
Bless them and their teachers and staff.
Give the strength and grace as their bodies grow;
wisdom and knowledge to their minds
as they search for understanding;
and peace and zeal to their hearts.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

http://thecatholiccatalogue.com/prayers-to-begin-a-school-year/

If you have an upcoming event that you would like promoted in an upcoming newsletter, email Kelly at kdonnelly@rcdony.org.

If you are working on any youth ministry programming and would like help/resources, feel free to email Kelly at kdonnelly@rcdony.org. The Youth Department is here to help you with whatever you most need!

Email: kdonnelly@rcdony.org
Website: www.rcdony.org/youth
Location: 100 Elizabeth Street, Ogdensburg, NY, United States
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Diocese-of-Ogdensburg-Youth-Ministry-137024036346228/