Resources for Ministry with Young People
(Young Adolescent Ministry, Youth Ministry, Confirmation Preparation)
Websites
Archdiocese of Los Angeles: www.la-archdiocese.org
Office of Religious Education: www.archla.org/ore
Youth Ministry Division: www.archla.org/youth
Administrative Handbook: http://handbook.la-archdiocese.org
Fingerprinting: http://www.la-archdiocese.org/org/hr/Pages/fingerprinting.aspx
United States Conference for Catholic Bishops (USCCB): www.usccb.org
California Catholic Conference: www.cacatholic.org
Vatican: www.vatican.va
National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry: www.nfcym.org
National Conference for Catholic Youth Ministry: www.nccym.info
National Catholic Youth Conference: www.ncyc.info
National Association of Catholic Youth Ministry Leaders (NACYML): www.nacyml.org
Catholic Relief Service: www.crs.org
Center for Ministry Development: www.cmdnet.org
Ministry Training Source: www.ministrytrainingsource.org
LifeTeen: www.lifeteen.com
St. Mary’s Press: www.smp.org
Youth Specialties: www.youthspecialties.com
Group Publishing: www.grouppublishing.com
Franciscan Media: www.franciscanmedia.org
Archdiocesan Resources
Administrative Handbook for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles
An online handbook that offers a comprehensive source of information on Archdiocesan administrative policies and procedures. (http://handbook.la-archdiocese.org)
Archdiocese of Los Angeles Guidelines for Ministry to & with Young People
Archdiocesan guidelines for ministry serving young people in the areas of Young Adolescent Ministry, Youth Ministry, and Confirmation Preparation. (Download from Youth Ministry Division website: www.archla.org/youth)
Confirmation Preparation Process Resources
A resource produced by the Youth Ministry Division that gives ideas, suggestions and resources for people who coordinate the confirmation preparation process at a parish. The latest edition was published in 2001. (Download from Youth Ministry Division website: www.archla.org/youth)
Archdiocese of Los Angeles Confirmation Rite Guidelines
A resource that contains guidelines and instructions for celebrating the Rite of Confirmation in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. These suggestions and resources are intended to assist priests, catechists, confirmation candidates, liturgical planning teams, and the entire parish community in fulfilling their pastoral responsibility in celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation. (Download from Youth Ministry Division website: www.archla.org/youth)
Office of Religious Education Guidelines
A resource produced by the Office of Religious Education that has guidelines for employment, different divisions of ministry (including confirmation, youth ministry, jr. high ministry, etc…) and other important information. (Download from the Office of Religious Education website: www.archla.org/ore)
Archdiocese of Los Angeles Catholic Directory
Annual directory produced by the Archdiocese listing parishes, priests, retreat centers, and other resources to help anyone in ministry. (Contact 213-637-7360 to order a copy)
Archdiocese Handbook for Sacramental Records
A document with the Archdiocesan policies for creating and maintaining Sacramental records. (Download from section 2.3.3 of the Administrative Handbook)
Church Documents
Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry
A document from the United States Conference for Catholic Bishops that is a blueprint for all ministry with adolescents. A must-have for anyone who works with young people. To purchase visit: www.usccb.org or call 800-235-8722.
General Directory of Catechesis [ISBN: 978-1-57455-225-6]
The General Directory for Catechesis (GDC) provides religious educators, teachers, and catechists with a single point of reference for all aspects of catechetical instruction, for content and pedagogy, as well as for methodology. Beginning with an introductory reflection of how contemporary human and ecclesial conditions have impacted the preaching of the Gospel, the Directory moves through a detailed presentation of the goals and essential elements of catechesis, from its role in the Church’s mission of evangelization, to norms and guidelines for its presentation, to adaptations for various groups and situations. To purchase visit: www.usccb.org
National Directory of Catechesis [ISBN: 978-1-57455-443-4]
After years of collaboration, study, and writing, The National Directory for Catechesis is now available. A companion to the General Directory for Catechesis (GDC), the National Directory for Catechesis builds on some of the core themes of the GDC, like catechesis’s relationship to evangelization and worship, and provides practical tools for doing catechesis well. This is a “must-have” for anyone in catechesis or Catholic education-teachers, principals, directors, and coordinators of religious education and youth ministry, catechists, and students in the field. The NDC was approved by the bishops of the United States in June 2003. To purchase visit: www.usccb.org
The Catechism of the Catholic Church [ISBN: 978-1-57455-110-5]
The Catechism is a text which contains the essential and fundamental content of the Catholic faith and morals in a complete and summary way. It presents what Catholics throughout the world believe in common. It presents these truths in a way that facilitates their understanding. The Catechism is intended to assist those who have the duty to catechize, namely promoters and teachers of catechesis. The Catechism is not intended for direct use by young people or children, Pope John Paul II said that the Catechism “is offered to all the faithful who want to understand better the inexhaustible riches of salvation.” To purchase visit: www.usccb.org
The Order of Confirmation
The English translation of the ritual text for the Order of Confirmation. Included in the contents is the Apostolic Constitution on the Sacrament of Confirmation. To purchase visit: www.usccb.org
Documents of Vatican II
Various books are available that contain the sixteen major documents from the Second Vatican Council. Chief among them are: Lumen Gentium (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church), Dei Verbum (Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation), Sacrosanctum Concilium (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy), Gaudium et Spes (Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World), and Ad Gentes (Decree on the Missionary Work of the Church).
Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel)
An Apostolic Exhortation from Pope Francis calling upon the Church and the world with encouragement to begin a new chapter in evangelization.
National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry Documents
This Federation has produced documents ranging from Evangelization, Catechesis, Worship and Prayer, to Pastoral Care dealing specifically with young people. (Contact the NFCYM for a listing of documents at 202-636-3825) www.nfcym.org
Books
Delgatto, Laurie, gen. ed. Total Youth Ministry Series. Winona, MN: St. Mary’s Press, 2004.
Dean, Kenda Creasy. Starting Right: Thinking Theologically About Youth Ministry Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing, 2001.
East, Tom. Effective Practices for Dynamic Youth Ministry Winona, MN: St. Mary’s Press, 2004.
East, Tom, et.al. Leadership for Catholic Youth Ministry: A Comprehensive Resource. New London, CT: Twenty-Third Publications, 2009.
Goodwin, Carole, gen. ed. H.E.L.P Series – Ministry with Young Teens, Winona, MN: St. Mary’s Press, 2000.
Mercadante, Frank. Engaging a New Generation: A Vision for Reaching Catholic Teens. Huntington, IN: Our Sunday Visitor: 2012.
Olson, Ginny, gen. ed. Youth Ministry Management Tools. Grand Rapids, MI: Youth Specialties – Zondervan Publishing, 2001.
Singer-Towns, Brian, et. al. The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth, Third Edition. Winona, MN: St. Mary’s Press, 2013.
Resource Books
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
- COMPENDIUM “Catechism of the Catholic Church
Group
- Youth Ministry in the 21st Century
- Group Magazine “The World’s Most Read Youth Ministry Resource”
- Top 20 Skits
- Committing “My Relationship with God”
- Experience “Jesus Passion”
- Giving “My Time to God”
- Surrendering “My Life to God
- Youth Leader Training > On the Go “by: Doug Fields”
- Group Works Camp Foundation “See Website Listings”
- Breathe “Leadership Development Resource”
Purpose Driven Series: By: Rick Warren and Doug Fields
- The Purpose Driven Church “Growth without Compromising your Message & Mission”
- The Purpose Driven Life “What on Earth Am I Here For?
- Purpose Driven Youth Ministry “9 Essential Foundations for Healthy Growth”
- Purpose Driven Youth Ministry Training Kit
- The First Two Years of Youth Ministry
- Living Together Series “Sharing, Connecting, Growing, Serving, Sharing and Surrender”
- Emergency Response Handbook for Youth Ministry
Matthew Kelley
- Rediscovering Catholicism
- The Seven Levels of Intimacy
Creative Resources for Youth Ministry: by Wayne Rice & Mike Yaconelli
- Creative Communication & Discussion Activities
- Creative Crowd Breakers, Mixers & Games
- Creative Activities for Small Groups
Loyola Press (Six Week with the Bible for Catholic teens)
- Stories of the Kingdom “The Parables”
- I am the Bread of Life “John 1 –10”
- My Peace I Give You “ John 11 – 21”
- The Good News of the Holy Spirit “The Book of Acts”
- Getting to Know Jesus “Gospel of Mark”
- God Makes a Start “The Book of Genesis”
- God to the Rescue “The Book of Exodus”
- The Good News of God’s Mercy “The Gospel of Luke”
- God’s Gift of Hope “The Book of Revelations”
St. Mary’s Press
- Retreat Ideas for Ministry with Young Teens
- The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth
- The Catholic Youth Bible
- Teaching Activities Manuel
- Essential Bible Concordance
- Gospel Connection for Teens
- Take Ten “Daily reflections for Teens”
- Prayer before an Awesome God
- Good News, Day by Day “Bible Reflections for teens”
- Youth Engaging Scripture “Diving into the Sunday Gospels”
- Ready to Go Series “Scripture Skits and Games”
- Yes! I am Catholic “How Faith Plays a Role in My Life”
- More Than game “Stories, Prayers and Reflections for the Student Athlete”
- No Meeting required “Strategies for Non gather Ministry with Young People”
- Ministry Ideas “Advent and Christmas with teens, families and Parishes”
- Stress Busters for Teens
- Youth retreats for any Schedule
- Seasonal retreats and Prayer Services
- Total Catechesis Series > “Liturgy & Sacraments, Christian Morality, The Creed,
- Christian Prayer, Coordinators Manuel”
John C. Maxwell Series
- Leadership 101
- Equipping 101
- Attitude 101
- Ethics 101
- Relationships 101
- Leadership “Promises For Your Week”
- 25 Ways to Win with People “How to make others feel like a Million Bucks”
- Developing the Leader Within You
- Developing the Leaders Around You
- The 360’ Leader “Developing Your Influence from Anywhere in the Organization”
Websites
Youth Ministry Resources
Archdioceses of Los Angeles Youth Ministry Division
National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry
Life Teen
Sex. Love & Choices
http://www.slcwebsite.com/opener.html
Simply Youth Ministry
http://www.simplyyouthministry.com
Youth Specialties
http://www.youthspecialties.com/
The Source for Youth Ministry
St. Louise De Marillac Youth Formation
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops