Highlights of this Issue

Seasons of the Liturgical Year and Ministry As this issue focuses on the liturgical year, we are reminded that the church seasons sometimes mimic the seasons of the year, and the seasons of our ministry. As the author of Ecclesiastes reminds us, "For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven…”. How does this translate into our ministry with young people? Is our ministry reflective of the rich heritage and tradition contained in the observance of the liturgical seasons? Hopefully, the articles and resources in this edition of the NACYML News will help each of us reflect on the liturgical year and the influence of the seasons in our lives and ministry. As we come to the close of the Advent season, the NACYML Leadership Team, Publications and Newsletter Committees, and the NFCYM/NACYML Staff extend prayerful good wishes to each of you for a blessed and joyous Christmas season!

Seasons of Change A great way to reflect on our vocation as ministers is to consider our ministries through the lens of the seasons. Does our ministry look more like summer, fall, winter, or spring? What characteristics of your ministry are similar to each of the seasons? Read more of Jenn's article... Year-Round Liturgical Year As ministers do we bring young people into a deeper understanding of the liturgical year and our tradition by the example of our actions and rituals depending on the particular liturgical season? During Advent are we giddy with anticipation of the coming of the Lord? Do we proclaim ‘Emmanuel’ and ‘prepare ye the way’ or do we race right to Christmas? Read more of Rich's article... The Not So Ordinary Time Do not get me wrong, I love the holidays and the liturgical seasons that provide a time of preparation for each. For the most part though, I am glad when they are over. There is a craziness and energy around the distinctive seasons of the liturgical year that, as a youth worker, I am grateful when they are past. Read more of Dean's article...		From the Chair During Advent, I am planning for the Lent and Easter season. When Ash Wednesday arrives, summer ministries and programming are on my desktop. The quiet patterns of Ordinary Time are anything but quiet as I recruit volunteers, plot a calendar for the school year, and weave ministries, programs, and family into what looks on paper to be a manageable response to a full and fulfilling life. Read more of Mary's article... Inviting the Hungry to the Feast If you have enough food to eat today, consider yourself very blessed, because over one billion people are not so fortunate. According to the United Nations World Food Programme, one out of every six fellow human beings is suffering the pain of hunger. Every six seconds a child dies because of hunger and hunger related diseases. Read Tony's article... Living the Paschal Mystery Our faith is centered on the Paschal Mystery. This is not something that happened 2000 years ago; it is a message for us right now. It is a message youth ministers should incorporate into life and ministry. Read the entire article...

Important Information and Useful Resources Announcing the 2009-2010 OnCourse Webinar Program NACYML once again offers online ministry formation for both its membership and all those working in the field of youth ministry. These are provided in conjunction with Ministry Training Source (MTS) through six online webinar sessions. Download the brochure for more information. (30 KB) PEW Research Study on Latino Youth in America This report takes an in-depth look at Hispanics who are ages 16 to 25, a phase of life when young people make choices that-for better and worse-set their path to adulthood. For this particular ethnic group, it is also a time when they navigate the intricate, often porous borders between the two cultures they inhabit-American and Latin American. Visit the PEW Hispanic Center website to download/read the report. Purchase NACYML Polo Shirts Wear your pride and membership in the only professional association for Catholic youth ministers! NACYML polo shirts are perfect for any occasion. Made of a comfortable 50/50 blend, and sporting the NACYML logo, the shirts offer a classy compliment to jeans, dress pants, or shorts. The black, short sleeved shirts are available in small, medium, large, and extra large sizes. Order yours today at the NFCYM Online Store. Mark Your Calendar for the Biennial NACYML Membership Meeting The NACYML Membership Meeting, held in conjunction with the National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry, will take place on Thursday, December 9, 2010 in New Orleans. On Wednesday, NACYML will also be sponsoring a pre-conference focused on using the Strength Finders 2.0 tools for ministry. More information will be forthcoming during the early part of 2010. NACYML Members' Website Check out the NACYML Members' website for more important updates, resources, and information.

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.

Print the Newsletter! 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 (PDF) by using the link below. Or, download this PDF to your computer by right-clicking the link and selecting "Save Target As..." Download the PDF print file for this entire issue. (575 KB)