Highlights

You Asked for It! Various members have asked for a streamlined process for printing the NACYML News—whether one article at a time or the whole online issue at once. With this issue that capability becomes a reality. You now have two print options: Use your browser's print function or click on the " Print this page" link at the bottom of the right-hand navigation column to print an individual page. Print the entire issue by using the link below. This will open a single PDF document made up of "printed pages" of each article in order. You can also download this PDF to your computer by right-clicking the link and selecting "Save Target As..." With the PDF file open, click the printer command in the Adobe Reader interface and the entire issue will be printed. Download the PDF print file for this entire issue. (344 KB)

Thinking about Summer Already? You Should Be… The clocks have been set back an hour, the nights and mornings are chilly. It is dark when going to and coming from work. Christmas and the new year are around the corner. It is time to have the fireplace checked, get out the warm sweaters and socks, and settle in for the winter. As you sit down to read this issue of NACYML News, brew a cup of tea or hot chocolate, grab a blanket and get ready for an issue all about summer programs! Yes, it is time to begin planning for summer, and here is an opportunity to hear from colleagues who have had positive experiences with mission trips, sports programs, summer education, and camp experiences. Take a few minutes to reflect on how you will rest and restore your spirit for ministry this coming summer. Think about how you might set aside time for continuing education as you continue to grow in your ministry. Think summer…and please pass the marshmallows.

From the Chair Living as the Body of Christ When I sat down to write this column, I could not gather my thoughts. My mind was not on summer programming, it was on southern California, specifically the Grass Valley Fire which was burning a short distance from my home. I was thinking of all the treasures I would lose if the fire reached my house: my father’s old St. Joseph Missal and his and my mother’s rosaries, the special birthday cards and Christmas cards they had sent me, letters and pictures from my sister, nieces, and friends, plus irreplaceable pictures and video. Nothing of real monetary value, but priceless to me nonetheless. I thought of the families I know who live almost across the street from the fire and wondered if they still had a home. Obviously writing a column for our NACYML newsletter had to wait. I busied myself with routine tasks while I awaited news on the fires. I was lucky; the fire was contained before it reached my home. Over four hundred others in our mountain community did not fare as well. Their homes were either lost or severely damaged. Continue reading Grace's article… NACYML Member Is Part of World Record Setting Team Ben Weisse, a NACYML member and past member of the Leadership Team, from Blessed Sacrament Parish in Madison, Wisconsin, along with his twelve siblings recently set a new Guinness Book Record! With only minutes to spare, the thirteen Weisse siblings completed the Community First Fox Cities Marathon on September 23, becoming the largest group of siblings to complete a marathon. Walking and running in memory of their brother, Peter, who died of cancer in 1968, the Weisse family raised money to be donated to the V Foundation for Cancer Research. To read or hear more about Ben’s accomplishment, visit the NPR website. Way to go and congratulations Ben! NACYML Website Discussion Forums Let Us Know What Resources You Need for Ministry Your assistance is needed in designing resources for your ministry! Please take a moment to respond to the Volunteer Competencies Survey and the Skills Database Survey. Both surveys are located in the Members' Site Discussion Forums on the NACYML website.		Other Feature Articles… Hispanic Teens arethe New Face of Catholic Youth Ministry Did you know that by the start of the fall semester next year, Latinos are expected to make up forty-six percent of the high school-age Catholic population in the United States, surpassing their Anglo counterparts as the largest segment for the first time? Pathways of Hope and Faith Among Hispanic Teens, a new book from Instituto Fe y Vida, sheds light on both the strengths and challenges this young generation presents to our parish youth ministry programs. Read more… Catholic Scouting Is Youth Ministry For the past several years, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), through the National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS), has been promoting a program which is, and should be, of great benefit to those associated with youth ministry. The NCCS, through its connection with BSA promotes Catholic values through the Boy Scout, Cub Scout and Venturing Programs. Scouting Is Youth Ministry is a national initiative which promotes the goals of Renewing the Vision through scouting and its varied age appropriate activities. Read more… Youth Ministry and Sports: Seeing the Connection As a youth minister, imagine facing these challenges… Having more than fifty percent of youth involved year round in parish youth ministry programs. Having a parent volunteer for every five youth and other parents ready and willing to attend and support the program. Having registration fees for the program that are paid up front, on time, and thereby having the financial resources to pay for the majority of the program. Having mandatory parent/volunteer training that makes a direct connection to the vision and goals of comprehensive youth ministry from Renewing the Vision. Read more…

Share Your Bread Sharing Your Bread—What Is It All About? This column has appeared in every issue of NACYML News since the first issue, in spring of 2005. Read Mary's article and learn more about this column and how you can contirbute!

A Picture Is Worth... Articles in this newsletter correspond to the Core Competencies detailed in the National Certification Standards for Lay Ecclesial Ministers. Look for the symbol in the article that indicates which core competency the article addresses. To learn more about the standards, see the resource page which is always accessible from the newsletter navigation bar. It provides a summary of the core competencies and the specialized competencies for youth ministry leaders.

Special Offers for NACYML Members PATHWAYS OF HOPE AND FAITH AMONG HISPANIC TEENS Discounted Price for NACYML Members Pathways of Hope and Faith Among Hispanic Teens, a new book from Instituto Fe y Vida, sheds light on both the strengths and challenges this young Hispanic generation presents to our parish youth ministry programs (see included article for further information). Fe y Vida is pleased to offer a special discount available only to NACYML members. To take advantage of the discounted price, download the order form . YOUTH MINISTRY ACCESS One Free Month The Center for Ministry Development is offering a 13-month subscription to Youth Ministry Access for the cost of a 12-month subscription. For more information, visit the Center for Ministry Development website.