It's a Difficult Job But...

Every two years (odd numbered calendar years) the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM) hosts the National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry (NCCYM).  Yes, my friends, there are A LOT of acronyms in Ministry...alphabet soup anyone?

But putting the spoon aside, this conference offers anyone who ministers to youth and young adults the opportunity to grown in their knowledge of the ministry.  Unfortunately, I was unable to make it to this year's conference in New Orleans and I hear I missed quite the conference.  There were a couple of people present at the conference from our diocese and I hope they will share their experiences with you on this blog.  However, until that occurs, I'd like to share an article with you that was posted on the U.S. Catholic website just yesterday by Christine Bordelon of the Catholic News Service.

You can read the full article here Youth Ministers Told They Have a Difficult Job...

After reading her article, I'd like to invite you to post your comments and/or reactions.  Let's open it up for discussion.

Welcome!

Welcome to the official blog for Youth & Young Adult Ministry in the Diocese of Fall River.  It is with great pleasure and a little trepidation that the Office of Faith Formation step "out of the box" known as our emails and mailings and step into the realm of a growing cyberworld.  As the Assistant Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministry, it is my hope that this blog will become a useful tool in keeping people informed of the latest news, trends and resources available to help people (particularly adolescents and young adults) grow in their Catholic Faith.  I would also like this blog to a be a place where an exchange of ideas and fruitful discussion can take place.

So let's jump right in shall we?

It is hard to imagine that Christmas is only ten days away.  Yet plans for 2011 are already underway and not just within the walls of our office either.  Earlier this year, Pope Benedict XVI issued his Message for the 26th World Youth Day.  In actuality, his message is for the Celebration of the 2011 World Youth Day, "Planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith" (cf. Col 2:7).  This will be the theme used for the International Celebration of World Youth Day in Madrid, Spain this coming in August.  But is also the theme that the Office of Faith Formation will use as the theme for the Annual Diocesan Youth Convention and Middle School Rally to be held this coming October.

After reading Pope Benedict's message, I was struck by the imagery he used.  It was this imagery that became the inspiration for our Diocesan Logo for the 2011 Convention.  Our Holy Father writes:

"We can distinguish three images:  "planted" calls to mind a tree and the roots that feed it; "built up" refers to the construction of a house; "firm" indicates growth in physical or moral strength.  These images are very eloquent.  Before commenting on them, I would like to point out that grammatically all three terms in the original text are in the passive voice.  This means that it is Christ himself who takes the initiative to plant, build up and confirm the faithful."   

Although a physical structure of the house is absent from this year's logo, I focused on what makes a house a home and it is the family!  Through continuing formation of the entire family, not just youth or young adults, Christ's Gospel message will continue to take root, grow and flourish in the hearts, heads and hands of all the faithful.

(NOTE:  The official World Youth Day logo for Madrid is vastly different.  You can visit the official World Youth Day website at http://www.madrid11.com/)

There are so many more things to include in this blog, but that will be food for additional posts.  In the meantime, have a blessed advent and check back soon!