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YOUTH RESOURCES

Youth Resources

‘The future is in your hearts and in your hands. God is entrusting to you the task, at once difficult and uplifting, of working with Him in the building of the civilization of love’. ~ St. John Pail II, Evening Vigil with Young People N. 4, Apostolic Voyage, Toronto 2002

Today’s youth live in a world that offers them different possibilities through digital means; however, loneliness has become a big characteristic of the youth. We are called to be there for them and accompany them in the search of true happiness which can be only found in Jesus Christ. As leaders you are called to help the youth encounter the person of Jesus. Today’s youth is in need of respect, trust, love and encouragement. Create an environment where they can experience the love, peace and hope found in Jesus.

Become that helping hand that will help the youth grow closer to God. Here are some handy resources for ministering to the youth:

  • Project YM - https://projectym.com/  
    Resources to help Catholic youth ministry thrive. Project YM hosts ProjectYM Live, weekly 90 minutes online event where young people and their parish ministers play games, tackle core questions about life and faith, dive into discussion within small groups and pray together.
     
  • Catechist.com - https://www.catechist.com/category/lessons-and-activities/youth-ministry/
    Catechist.com serves catechists and catechetical leaders in parish religious education and formation programs, as well as religion teachers in Catholic schools and parents.
     
  • The Diocese of Westminster Youth Ministry - https://dowym.com/resources/
    The Diocese of Westminster Youth Ministry provides handy resources for youth worker or leader, or young person who want to start a ministry with ideas for activities, games, prayers.
     
  • The Center for Ministry Development - https://www.cmdnet.org/
    The Center for Ministry Development promotes the development of ministry and catechesis with youth and families through leadership formation, service learning, and resources rooted in Catholic tradition and Scripture.
     
  • Catholic Apostolate Centre - https://www.catholicapostolatecenter.org/resources.html
    Youth Ministry resources provided by the Catholic Apostolate Centre is a ministry of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate (Pallotines).
     
  • Busted Halo - https://bustedhalo.com/category/ministry-resources
    Ministry resources from Busted Halo, a unique media resource that utilizes a relevant and accessible voice to help young people (and everyone) understand the Catholic faith, put it into practice in their everyday lives, and share it with others.
     
  • Vcat - http://vcat.org/ 
    Vcat is a program from the Diocese of Wheeling, Charleston - providing Video Catechism for Teens. Their videos are relevant, focused on God's Love and driven by the Catechism of the Catholic Church. They provide monthly video and discussion guide for Catechetical leaders, teachers and youth ministers.
Forums/ Youth Ministry Organizations in Canada and the US:
  • Canadian Catholic Youth Ministry Network - https://www.ccymn.ca/
  • Western Canadian Association of Catholic Youth Ministers - https://www.wcacym.ca/
  • National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry - https://nfcym.org/

Youth FAQ - Part 1
Here are some resources shared by the Office of Pastoral Ministry which might be helpful for family with youth seeking a deeper encounter with Jesus. 

God is the giver of youth and he is at work in the life of each young person. Youth is a blessed time for the young and a grace for the Church and for the world. It is joy, a song of hope and a blessing. Making the most of our youthful years entails seeing this season of life as worthwhile in itself, and not simply as a brief prelude to adulthood. ~ Pope Francis, Christus Vivit, 135

You are called 'to contemplate the young Jesus as presented in the Gospels, for he was truly one of you, and shares many of the features of your young hearts.' ~ Pope Francis, Christus Vivit, 31.
  • Jesus wants to be your friend. He knows your heart and wants to be with you.  He is only waiting for you to allow him to become you friend and guide. 
  • How can you allow Jesus in your life? Just approach Him the way you are. He loves you for who you are, with your strengths and your weaknesses. He is just waiting for you to call on Him! 
The following links can help you in your search for Jesus.
  • How to get to know Jesus better? http://www.catholicnewbie.com/getting-to-know-jesus-10-ways-to-grow-closer-to-our-lord-and-savior/

  • Can I have a personal relationship with Jesus and the Church? How? https://catholicmissionarydisciples.com/news/a-personal-relationship-with-jesus-and-the-catholic-church

  • Ways to help you strengthen your faith
    https://www.beliefnet.com/faiths/catholic/7-ways-to-strengthen-your-catholic-faith.aspx

  • Youth examples on how to draw closer to Jesus
    https://cathstan.org/news/faith/catholic-teens-reflect-on-drawing-closer-to-christ-in-2020

  • God vs. Evil, what is this all about? 
    https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/family/catholic-teens/making-moral-choices/discerning-between-good-and-evil/

  • Finding love and dating 
    https://chastity.com/qa/category/dating/

  • What is purity? Why is it important? 
    https://chastity.com/qa/category/how-to-stay-pure/

  • Liberation from addictions
    https://chastity.com/qa/category/pornography/  ​

Youth FAQ - Part 2

Youth sharing their encounter with Jesus
  • Mackenzie tells the story of her baptism into the Catholic Church at a recent Easter Vigil | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bI1T8JdUDfE

  • Viktoria describes God's change in her life through the sacrament of Confirmation | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yq1ip2a7n08

  • Matthew describes his faith story, and his calling to the priesthood | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5zbNZZwOdk 

  • Maggie tells her brief story of faith, entering more closely into relationship with Christ and growing in the life of the Church | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeRMVRjL_gs

  • Mari talks about the rediscovery of our Catholic faith during her teen years | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5pNHhuSk_w​

More FAQ in blogs, videos and podcasts
  • Who is God? 
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ-3-nbm0Uc

  • Does God hear our prayers? 
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBF7g8-_eso

  • Why know our Catholic Faith? 
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emzyRZGw76A

  • Where is God in time of suffering? 
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGD7DFwhfcY

  • How to live a meaningful life? 
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z20Q9yLKuHc 
Podcast list for Youth
  • Sunday, Sunday, Sunday with Mark Hart 
    Life Teen’s Mark Hart sits down with you on this podcast, reflecting on the upcoming Sunday’s Mass readings and discussing how they apply to our life.

  • UMD Newman Catholic Campus Ministry with Fr. Mike Schmitz
    This podcast broadcasts homilies preached by Fr. Michael Schmitz, chaplain for the University of Minnesota-Duluth Catholic Campus Ministry. No matter if you’re in college or not, Fr. Mike’s homilies are powerful and will definitely get you thinking about what God is trying to speak to you through the Sunday Mass readings.

  • Catholic Stuff You Should Know
    In January of 2010, Pope Benedict XVI asked young people to use technology for the New Evangelization. This request, colliding with the introduction to the podcast concept, led to the creation of Catholic Stuff You Should Know. The style and format were entirely hijacked from the professional, well-researched, and rather humorless podcast, Stuff You Should Know. The style has been coined “consciously unprofessional.” The hosts are not radio talents, but regular guys who happen to be Catholic priests. They produce a weekly podcast of what they call “lighthearted explorations into various prominent and obscure Catholic topics.”

  • Integrity Restored Podcast
    This podcast will equip you with the knowledge and resources you need to live a porn free life and to help others do the same.

  • Love People Use Things
    Love People Use Things is a podcast run by a Christian (Matt Fradd) and an atheist (Noah). They disagree on a lot of stuff, obviously, but they both agree that your life, your relationships, and society as a whole would be a whole lot more beautiful and healthy without porn.

  • Do Something Beautiful with Leah Darrow
    Leah Darrow shares stories of people in the world who are doing something beautiful for Christ and encourages listeners to do something beautiful for Christ with their own lives.

  • Pints with Aquinas with Matt Fradd
    Ever want to sit down with St. Thomas Aquinas (he is a saint who was pretty smart at all things theology, check out his Summa Theologica if you’re feeling daring)? Well in this podcast, Matt Fradd sits down and discusses topics he’d address if he had a chance to talk with St. Thomas Aquinas himself.
(Podcast source: Nick Longo, fromThis Catholic Life)

Office Hours

Mon - Thu:  9:00am - 4:30pm
​316 Windermere Dr. 

Telephone

1(403) 455 0196

Email

office@saintgabrielparish.ca

@ Copyright St. Gabriel Parish, 2019

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Bulletin
  • Sacraments
    • Baptism
    • Reconciliation & First Holy Communion
    • Confirmation
    • Anointing of the Sick
    • Holy Order
    • Matrimony
  • Parish Building Info
  • Get Involved
  • Donate Now
  • Resources
    • Youth Resources
    • Marriage Annulment info