Highlights of this Issue

Continuing the Discussion on Adolescent Catechesis This second issue focusing on adolescent catechesis continues the discussion begun with the September 2009 issue. Additionally, this issue debuts a new section of the NACYML Newsletter. The Perspectives page is dedicated to highlighting editorials from a variety of authors/writers, on a wide variety of topics. This issue features another article from Tony Magliano, a NACYML member and prominent writer for the Catholic News Service. Additional articles by Tony are posted on the NACYML members’ website. Provide the opportunity for others to read Tony’s articles by urging your local diocesan publications to subscribe to Tony’s articles from the Catholic News Service.

Advocating for Adolescent Catechesis Advocates provide a voice for the voiceless, making known the unknown. Advocacy moves the conversation beyond those who are already committed, and includes the other stakeholders who are keys to the success of our catechetical and youth ministry programs. The National Initiative on Adolescent Catechesis (NIAC) also feels the urgency... Continue reading Ela's article... It Takes a Deanery The youth ministers of our deanery meet once a month to network, share ideas, and plan bimonthly deanery events for the high school students of our county. This tradition has been going for two decades and translates into a formidable youth ministry presence in the diocese. We also gather with other parish ministers for bimonthly deanery meetings, diocesan meetings, and social events... Read Anne's article here... Involving Parents in Catechesis I have heard so many youth ministers comment about how inactive parents are. They offer frustrating observations such as: they do not show up or volunteer to help, they do not attend Mass, and they do not seem to be catechized themselves! have you had similar observations? Read the rest of Stacy's article...		From the Chair New beginnings are exciting, yet at the same time can cause anxiety. I write to you for the first time as the Chair of the NACYML Leadership Team with both of those feelings. Excitement in serving in this capacity for the next two years and anxiety in hoping I can meet the expectations and challenges ahead... Read more of Glen's article... Whose Job Is It Anyway? As youth ministry leaders in the United States, our bishops have charged us with comprehensive ministry to, for, and with young people. One of the components of that ministry is catechesis. According to Renewing The Vision of Youth Ministry, we are to assist adolescents in developing their relationships with Jesus Christ and the Christian community, and to know the core teachings of our faith... Read Faye's article... Budgeting to Meet the Priorities When we talk about youth ministry budgets, we may think about buying resources such as DVDs, iTunes, books, etc. Perhaps our parish finance committee even expects to find requests to purchase basketballs, water balloons, and snacks... Continue reading Robbie's article here...

Important Information and Useful Resources Final Sessions: OnCourse Online Webinars There is still time to register for the remaining two sessions on April 8 and May 13. Download the brochure for more information. (30 KB) Coming Soon: Another OnCourse Offering NACYML is pleased to announce the OnCourse Youth Ministry Specialization Certificate beginning September 2010 and concluding in November 2011. The program, offered in conjunction with Ministry Training Source and Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, will consist of four courses addressing all of the specialized competencies for youth ministry leaders from the National Certification Standards for Lay Ecclesial Ministers. General information is available on the NACYML website; more information will be forthcoming in April. Advanced Conversations: Youth and Young Adults and Mental Illness Sponsored by the NCPD and the NFCYM, a webinar devoted to the topic of youth/young adults and mental illness will be offered on May 4. More information is available on the NACYML members' website, the NFCYM website, and the NCPD website. There is no charge for members of NFCYM, NACYML, and NCCL. Institute for New Youth Ministers - July 27-30, 2010 NACYML will once again partner with Cultivation Ministries for the Institute for New Youth Ministers. Youth Ministry Access—Programming from CMD The latest downloadable session is available from CMD and is located on the NACYML members' website. Check out the other great resources available from Youth Ministry Access. Impact73.org Seeking Youth Groups to Form Impact Zones Impact73.org/Pinckney Pro-Life empowers youth by providing them with effective programs to educate their peers. Also of Interest to Youth Ministers. . . The National Black Catholic Congress March/April Newsletter Spark the Wave Announces Wave Week 2010: July 18-23 Busted Halo Offers Free Widgets for YYAM Websites and Blogs Visit the NACYML members' website for more valuable information and resources!

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.

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