31
Jul
“Dear young people, your joyful presence, your thirst for truth and high ideals are signs of hope!” -Pope Francis
Youth Ministry
All members of the Church in Vermont are called to bring the “Joy of the Gospel” (Pope Francis) to the youth of Vermont. Ministering to youth, leading them to become disciples of Jesus Christ in the world today, is a great mission and call for every member of the Church. Youth programs offered by the Diocese of Burlington serve the local purpose and mission of reaching all young people — both those in the pews and those wandering in the world — with the joy of becoming a follower of Jesus Christ. Our hope and prayer is that Youth Ministry will flourish through individual encounters, invitations and mentoring of our young people as they journey together with the community of faith. Our ultimate goal is to give youth a love of God, others and the Church and to ultimately share in the beatific vision of Heaven.
Vocation
There are many different angles your parish or deanery could take on implementing a night or series focused on vocation. Visit the Office of Vocation’s webpage to browse vocation resources for youth from the Office of Youth Ministry.
Middle and High School Events
The Diocese organizes various rallies, retreats, trips and workshops for youth throughout the year. Be sure to check the diocesan calendar often to stay informed on new and upcoming events.
The Office of Youth Ministry has compiled a brief series of videos from past Steubenville Youth Conferences, along with discussion questions. These can be used as a retreat hosted in a parish hall or in a home, for large and small groups alike. These videos and questions can also be used as part of a Confirmation retreat.
Steubenville East Youth Conference
Steubenville conferences are specialized to address the needs of today’s Catholic youth, organized on a national and regional level. With an exciting lineup of speakers, musicians, and presenters, the High School Youth Conferences will challenge Catholic youth to stand firm in their faith, rely upon the awesome power of Jesus Christ who is their guide, friend and Savior and to show that faith to the world. Tens of thousands of teens participate each summer across the country – in Denver, Atlanta, New York, Ohio, Seattle, Nova Scotia, Minnesota, Texas and many other places.
Life is Precious Trip
Each year, the Diocese sponsors a bus trip for Vermonters to show their support for life at the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. Typically, this trip includes an extended itinerary for youth groups and their chaperones that include visits to several shrines in the D.C. area and overnight stays.
Vermont Catholic Youth Serve
Vermont Catholic Youth Serve (VCYS) is an annual high school summer camp focused on serving Christ in His people! With Rice Memorial High School and the Catholic Center at UVM as our home bases, teens from all across Vermont will gather to serve the poor and needy throughout the Chittenden County area. We will serve meals to the homeless, visit the elderly, and much more, bearing witness to the love of Jesus, and to the truth that each person has inherent dignity.
Resources
YouTube Channels
Ascension Presents
Life Teen
Catholic Answers
Bishop Barron
The Culture Project
FOCUS
Steubenville Conferences
Catholic Relief Services
*Once on YouTube viewing this video, you must then click into the specific channel.
Chastity Education Resources
Leah Darrow
Sarah Swafford
Theology of the Body Playlist
The Culture Project
Jackie & Bobby Angel
Chastity Project
Christopher West
*Once on YouTube viewing this video, you must then click into the specific channel.
Podcasts
Pray As You Go is a daily prayer session, designed to go with you wherever you go, to help you pray whenever you find time, but particularly whilst travelling to and from work, study, etc. Lasting between ten and thirteen minutes, it combines music, scripture and some questions for reflection.
bulldog Catholic: Listen to homilies from Fr. Mike Schmitz, a Catholic priest from the Diocese of Duluth, Minnesota.
