Youth Department

Vision Statement

Looking at the historical background of young people in the Archdiocese of Johannesburg, we realize that the youth lack the capacity to become fully human hence the need for holistic development

The Archdiocese of Johannesburg seek to “promote the holistic development of young people in Christ based on the spirit of Ubuntu”

This development includes five pillars of growth, namely: physical, emotional, intellectual, socio-political and spiritual.

• Physical: health, work, sport, hygiene, environment, appearences
• Emotional/psychological: acceptance, passion-sexuality, self esteem, self worth, self image, integration of emotions
• Intellectual: sound knowledge, critical thinking, culture of studying
• Socio-political: sense of belonging, responsibility for community, cultural values, awareness of justice
• Spiritual: healing hearts, minds and spirits, restoration of hope

We can achieve this by motivating our young people to interact and to be at home with each other.
Adults should play an accompanying role by being present among them, listening to them and contributing to their holistic development.

Mission Statement

• There is a need for a Archdiocesan Youth Department to co- ordinate, network and draw on the expertise of the deanery structures, and the bodies concerned with the youth, and to put this information at the service of the youth in the Archdiocese
  
• “There is a need for Archdiocese Youth structure that serves and supports local youth needs and initiatives as opposed to a centralized expensive bureaucracy”

Strategies

1. Developing Youth Spirituality
   
   In Johannesburg the youth in general are pro-Church if compared with those in other contries who are either indifferent or opposed. However, we note that many youth are joining other Churches. Therefore the problem is not the Church itself, rather it is how we celebrate and express our faith, i.e.., it is not “youth friendly”. Therefore we must try and incorporate their life experiences.
   
   Youth spirituality will allow the youth a spiritual space where they can explore and experiment. They need a certain amount of freedom and openness in order to grow into a more mature faith integrating youth culture into essential liturgical acts and the gospel teaching.
   
   
2. Youth Evangelization as Holistic Youth Development
   Evangelization for the new millennium would include a holistic integration of the institutional, social and spiritual dimensions of development.
   
   
   1. Institutional development would include the Church promoting groups which encourage a positive self-image and outlook for young people. At the same time the Church needs to strengthen existing groups at the parish, diocesan and tertiary levels. But above all the Archdiocese needs to consider youth as priority within the local Church especially with regard to resources.
      
      
   2. Social development promoted as ‘holistic development’ would include: ‘personal formation’ dealing with life skills, ‘happy togetherness’ programmes and ‘community awareness’ raising human rights issues, HIV/AIDS, sexuality and substance abuse. The issue of peer-to peer ministry development especially in light of a multi-cultural society should also be encouraged.
      
      
   3. Spiritual development would start from the young person’s perspective including attemps to address the hunger for meaning. Adult supporters and chaplains should encourage a reflective prayerful life which enables young people to link life and faith
   Do we have your information on our database?
   
   Kindly phone, fax or e-mail us so that we can forward a form to you.

   YEAR PLAN

   
   

   JANUARY

   • 1st – All parishes must have received the YPF structures
   • 9th – YAF Executive Meeting (These are individuals that were present at the first meeting)
   • YAF Planner Meeting – Each Denary must make sure that all their parishes are represented at this meeting

   FEBRUARY

   • 12 - 14 – Training the trainer workshop
   • 26 – Deadline for submitting names of the new YPF Forum
   • 26 – 28 The Theology of the Body retreat

   MARCH

   • 6 – YPF Training: Soweto (Dobsinville, St. Angelus) & West ( Kagiso II, Our Lady of Peace) 09:00 – 13:00
   • 13 – Pro-Life
   • 27 – YPF Training: East & Far East (Tsakane, St.Paul) 09:00 – 13:00

   APRIL

   • 10 – YPF Training: South, Central, Northern ( Cathedral Hall) 09:00 – 13:00
   • 17– YPF Training:Vaal, Vereeniging (Our Lady of Perpetual Help) 09:00 – 13:00
   • 24 – Pilgrims to World Youth Day Meeting 09:30 for 10:00
   • 30 – YDF Submission of Names deadline

   MAY

   • 8 – Soweto YPF Training II, Diepkloof (Immaculate conception) 09h30-14h00
   • 8 - YPF Training West, Motlakeng at 09h30- 14h00
   • 14-16 - YDF Leadership Training (Postponed)
   • 15- YPF Training Central, South, North(Cathedral Hall) 09h30-11h00
   • 16– YAF Election (postponed)
   • 22- YPF Training, Far East, Daveyton at 09h30- 14h00
   • 29- YPF Training, Vaal, Ennerdale 09h30-14h00

   JUNE

   • 05 MEETING FOR WYD
   • 12 – Peer Counselling and Theology of the Body(Cathedral Hall) 09h30 am
   • 19 - Youth Mass for Soweto and West Deanery at Munsieville, 10h00 am
   • 20 - Youth Mass, Central Deanery t cathedral 11h00 am
   • 25 – Relics of St Theresa arrive in Jhb (Check the nearest parish hosting them)
   • June youth days to be organised by parishes/ deaneries
   • 30 June- 4 July 2010, Education For Life.

   JULY

   • 01– Registration for WYD Pilgrim begins
   • 9 - 11– YDF Leadership Training, YAF Elections
   • 11- Re-LAUNCH YOUTH ALIVE, Installation of YAF and its Executive
   • 17- PEER COUNSELLING SELECTIONS
   • 24- PEER COUNSELLING SELECTION AND INTERVIEW, THEOLOGY OF THE BODY SESSION.
   Please note that change has been made on the 13 March, 10 April, 17April and 24 April therefore please rectify your old year plans and update it with this one.

   AUGUST

   • 7 – YAF Meeting
   • 13-15 First PC Training

   SEPTEMBER

   • 4 – YAF Exec Meeting
   • PC Practicals
   • 23-26 EFL Workshop

   OCTOBER

   • 2 – YAF Meeting
   • 8-10 Second PC Training
   • 30 – Picnic (venue tbc)

   NOVEMBER

   • 6 – YAF Exec Meeting
   • 12-14 EFL Follow up Workshop
   • PC Practicals
   • 26-28 Third PC Training

   DECEMBER

   • 1-5 EFL Training the Trainer
   • 11 – Archdiocese Gathering
   • PC Practicals

   JANUARY 2011

   • NSTALLATION OF EFL FACILITATORS AND PC
   • LAUNCH OF 1 OF PC

   PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

   • The latest date to submit the YDF elected Leaders is the 30th of May 2010
   • Names of those chosen to be Trained for Theology of boby, Peer counselling and Education For life, should be submitted too ASAP. (2 MEMBERS FOR EACH TRAINING)