Introduction to Parish Youth Ministry
Parish based youth ministry
Young people have an energy and enthusiasm for life that is
contagious and can bring great life to the local parish
community. The parish community is the basic expression of the
local church and is an entry point for many young people into
the Christian community. The parish community is a holistic
environment from which a young person can develop in the faith.
The parish community is an intergenerational community that
allows everyone to share their gifts with young people as well
as benefit from the gifts of young people.
Young people should feel welcome in the parish, nurtured in
their faith and challenged to live out their relationship with
Jesus in community with other believers.
• “A parish is a definite community of the Christian faithful
established on a stable basis within a particular church; the
pastoral care of the parish is entrusted to a pastor as its own
shepherd under the authority of the diocesan bishop." It is the
place where all the faithful can be gathered together for the
Sunday celebration of the Eucharist. The parish initiates the
Christian people into the ordinary expression of the liturgical
life: it gathers them together in this celebration; it teaches
Christ's saving doctrine; it practices the charity of the Lord
in good works and love (Catholic Catechism 2179)
As part of the universal church, the parish needs to play its
part in the formation of young disciples. The parish should work
collaboratively with other Catholic agencies so as to engage
young people in the life of the local church.
Evangelisation
The starting point of any parish youth ministry is reaching out and welcoming new members. A parish introduces, or re-introduces young people to the saving power of a growing relationship with Jesus. Each member of a parish is encouraged to join this mission to “be my witness in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8.
Catechesis
The next phase in a parish youth ministry is to make disciples. “The name of catechesis is given to the whole of the efforts within the Church to make disciples, to help people to believe that Jesus is the Son of God, so that believing they might have life in His name, and to educate and instruct them in this life and thus build up the Body of Christ.” (Catechesi Tradendae, n 1)
Mission
Mission is a commitment by young people to ministry and service as a sign of their maturing relationship with Jesus. Mission may take the form of a ministry to the wider parish community or becoming involved in a justice project or discerning their life’s vocation or leadership development. "Above all, there is a new awareness that missionary activity is a matter for all Christians, for all dioceses and parishes, Church institutions and associations." (Redemptoris missio, n 2)
Fellowship and Community
Fellowship is incorporating God’s people into a parish where they can be known, cared for, held accountable and encouraged. A parish youth ministry is more than a safe place to “hang out and have fun”. Young people should experience a community of believers that loves them, challenges them and is life giving
Prayer and Worship
Prayer and worship is a vital part of everything in the youth ministry rather than being an actual program. Each activity or event should include a method of prayer in such a way that young people incorporate prayer into their discipleship journey. Young people should be encouraged to participate in formal prayer experiences so that they are drawn into the community of believers. Leaders should also witness to the power of prayer through spontaneous prayer and sharing their own struggles with prayer. Young people should also be challenged to be responsible for their own prayer life with a mentor and tools that sustain their personal prayer life outside formal programs and events.
Download a copy
More details are available about each of the above sections and how they fit together in our Parish Youth Ministry Framework. You can download a free copy of the Framework here.