Collaboration within the Parish Community

Enriching Group Prayer

Youth Retreats

Social Interaction

Connecting with Parents

Collaboration within the Parish Community When we think of Moses, we often conjure up a portrait of a strong, unflinching leader who persisted in the midst of challenge. He was such a leader, but he also knew he could not do it alone. He asked for help, "I am not able to carry all this people alone, for they are too heavy for me.... So the Lord said to Moses, ‘Gather for me seventy of the elders of Israel...bring them to the tent of meeting...I will take some of the spirit that is on you and put it on them; and they shall bear the burden of the people along with you so that you will not bear it all by yourself." (Nm 11:14, 16-17) Moses obtained help, but then had to learn to share responsibility. Following this model, invite others within your parish to come together to talk about gifts they may have for ministry. Do not put out a general call for volunteers. Rather, seek specific people who appear gifted in areas of your need. Consider inviting two from groups such as youth, parents, parish community members, and church staff members to a meeting to discuss sharing the responsibility of youth ministry in your parish. Pray together; discuss individual gifts and specific needs to match those gifts. We are encouraged to cultivate potential for leadership - not just because it will help us, but because this action supports God's plan to bring people together to serve each other through community.

Links Our Sunday Visitor National Foundation Catholic Youth Ministry Books The Total Parish Manual - Everything You Need to Empower Your Faith Community by William J. Bausch In this practical "how-to" book for guiding a parish in fulfilling its mission, Fr. Bausch covers sacraments, the liturgical year, volunteers, organizations, ministries, evangelization, and other parish activities. Available through Twenty-Third Publications, 1994 What Do You Really Want? How to Set a Goal and Go for It! A Guide for Teens by Beverly K. Bachel In this book, Bachel puts goal setting in a language comfortable for teens. Readers learn how to articulate their goals and put them in writing, set priorities and deadlines, overcome obstacles, cope with roadblocks, build a support system, and more. This guidebook is recommended for teens, parents, youth ministers, and counselors. Available through Free Spirit Publishing, 2001 Doing the Truth in Love - Conversations about God, Relationships and Service by Michael J. Himesin collaboration withDon Mcneill, C.S.C., Andrea Smith Shappell, Jan Pilarski, Stacy Hennessy, Katie Bergin, and Sarah Keyes A basic and engaging theology of God/human relationships and service to assist readers in reflecting more faithfully and more theologically on their own lives. Available through Paulist Press, 1995 Music "We Are Called," "Jesus, Give Us Your Peace," "With Hope and Healing" [Meditation Track] BLEST ARE WE Music CD 7-8 Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36394-9 "I Say 'Yes," Lord/Digo 'Si,' Señor'" BLEST ARE WE Music CD 6 ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36382-5 BLEST ARE WE Song Book Words and melody for grades 1-8 ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36617-4 BLEST ARE WE Accompaniment Book Contains accompaniment music for grades 1-8 ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36618-2