Networking

Knowing that parish Youth Ministers can sometimes feel isolated in serving the young, the Office for Youth Ministry offers many opportunities for adults to gather and interact around their common call. Through these gatherings, the Office for Youth Ministry hopes that crucial information can be effectively shared, creative ideas can be dispersed, and a sense of community can be built among all parish Youth Ministers in the Archdiocese.

Regional Gatherings
The Office for Youth Ministry Staff is available to work with Youth Ministry leaders that are gathering on the regional level. We are also available to call together those concerned with Youth Ministry in certain areas of the Archdiocese.The Office for Youth Ministry offers assistance in organizing the event, presentations and communication.

Youth Ministers' Meetings
Twice a month meetings for the purpose of supporting, resourcing, enrichment, formation and prayer for those who are working in parish youth ministry. One of these meetings takes place on Monday morning. The other takes place on a Wednesday night. This is a great chance to see a wider picture. Meetings will have different topics. Youth Ministers will share success stories and common struggles. You will see you are not alone.

Youth Ministry Today - Newsletter
This newsletter is published two times a year from September to June by the Office for Youth Ministry. There is no subscription fee. To receive the newsletter parishes are encouraged to sign up as many of their volunteer Youth Ministers as possible. A free will offering is requested once a year to help in the publication of YMT. This newsletter, Youth Ministry Today will bring you up to date on happenings in the Archdiocese and throughout the country.

Gatherings for Newly Ordained Priests
These gatherings are usually sponsored by members of the newly ordained class. They are held at the Office for Youth Ministry in Quincy. As a rule they are held in the late summer. These informal meetings are usually focused on a pactical experience of parish expectations on "NEW YOUNG" priests and how OYM can help in dealing with these demands.

Retreat Team Brokering
This program connects parishes with specific needs with Teams that can help them. Our primary focus is helping train parishes to develop teams and deliver retreats. The brokering usually takes place with the understanding that the following year OYM helps the parish develop its own youth retreat program.

Youth Ministry / CYO Awards Banquet
The banquet affirms and recognizes adults who commit themselves to service in parish or Archdiocesan youth efforts. This award ceremony is held every two years.