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

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Youth Parish Forum - YPF

Youth Parish Forum functions as a Consultative
Body in the Parish development of the Parish Community
And has to be established in all Parishes of the
Archdiocese as per the Synod Resolution.



STRUCTURE

Parish level:

Deanery Level
Archdiocese Level
Request from Archdiocese:

Every Parish is asked to establish a Youth Parish Forum / Youth Committee. This will act as a Forum where youth together with their Priest will discuss youth issues, fundraising, youth participation and youth events.

Youth leader/s

• Lead the youth group
• Heads-up Youth Pastoral Counsel
• Represent youth on PPC and at Deanery meeting
• Coordinate youth events at Parish such as Youth Mass
• Organise annual youth camps, holiday programs, retreats and youth leadership training
• Supported by Parish Priest (Spiritual Director) and adult mentors

Requirements:
Each Parish needs to select a young person who is already active and committed in the Parish to take on the role of youth leader, with the support and encouragement of the role of youth in the Parish. This person does not necessarily have to have other leadership responsibilities in the Parish e.g. Choir leader, but should have a genuine desire to assist in establishing a youth group in the Parish. If you have difficulty finding such a young person in your Parish please contact the implementation committee.

• Teens: 13 - 15,
• Youth: 16 - 20
• Young Adults: 19 - 30, 21 - 30

• The Parish Priest and representative of PPC shall be part of the YPF
• Each sodality/group/department (Youth) shall be granted permission to have one or two members in the Youth Parish Forum (YPF). In cases of Small youth groups, all young people can sit in the YPF.
• The Forum will elect a Coordinator/s, Chairpersons, Secretaries, Bursar, and additional members. The Coordinator and/or chairperson shall represent the Youth Forum in the PPC.

1. The term of office of all members of the YPF shall be 3 Three years.
2. In the event of any member of the YPF relinquished before the end of term of office replacement will be elected or designated, as the case may be, for the remaining period of term of office.
3. No person may serve a member of the YPF for more than two (2) consecutive term of office of office after which he/she is not eligible for one term of office.
4. If in the reasonable opinion of the YPF a member of the YPF is no longer able to carry out his/her YPF duties satisfactory or adequately, such a member shall be asked to relinquish his/her membership of the YPF. In such a case the Priest must be consulted and a formal vote must be taken.
5. YPF cannot be suspended or dismissed without prior consultation of the Bishop or his Representative (Youth Vicar, Youth Office and YDF) and the approval of the Bishop.

• The president of the YPF will be the Priest of the Parish.
• The Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretaries and Treasures will be elected by the members of the YPF and rectified by the President.

1. The YPF shall be entitled to set up Commissions, Committees, Sub-Committees and Youth Ward Desks for various purposes and aims of the YPF and appoint members of the youth and YPF to them.
2. It shall be at the discretion of the YPF to appoint Office bearers for these groups or authorize their election by members of the group themselves.

• Our vision is of a church in which young people, motivated by a personal faith in Christ, will feel accepted, valued and empowered to fully participate.

• Motivated by Christ, our Mission is to work in partnership with adults, Church and interested young People. The YFP is to ensure that young people are encouraged and affirmed on their journey of faith.

1. The YPF shall meet at least once a month
2. Minutes shall be kept of all meetings and copies submitted to all members of the YPF and be available to the youth on request.
3. For the purpose of the formal vote a quorum shall be the personal presence of 50% of the members of the YPF.
4. Absence must be by apology to the relevant Chairperson. Anyone who is not present at three (3) consecutive meetings without a valid apology will be deemed to have resigned.
5. Each meeting of the YPF should be preceded by a discussion and drawing up of the agenda by the Secretaries and the Chairperson. This agenda should be received by all members of the YFP at least three (3) days before the meeting of the YPF.
6. YPF Executive Committee should attend or represent the Parish at Deanery Meeting (YPF Executive Committee are members of YPF (Youth Deanery Forum).
7. YPF chairperson is a full member of the PPC, so he/she should attend PPC meeting to present the youth of his/her Parish.

After consulting the Parish Priest, PPC (Including YPF Chairperson) at anytime amend any of the provision of their statutes accepting the provision of the LAW.

The following youth program is designed to enable Parishes to implement the youth Synod 08 resolutions. This program will assist Parishes in establishing youth groups that meet on a weekly basis in the following format:

Week 1: Teaching - Talks and discussion based on Fully Alive Program E.g. Theology of the Body/Education for life
Week 2: Outreach - project run by Parish
Week 3: Bible sharing in small groups
Week 4: General assembly - testimonies, adoration, youth Mass and social interaction

Each Parish is required to send their young people or representatives to a deanery youth activities. Parishes are requested to assist young people to establish a youth group and provide them with the resources they need to move forward. It is of great importance that ALL YOUTH ATTEND youth gatherings in the parish, deanery, and archdiocese, not only youth leaders or active youth, as this is an initiative to empower and motivate ALL YOUNG CATHOLICS.

In addition to the above mentioned youth program we encourage Parishes to implement the following youth activities:


• Monthly/weekly youth mass
• Regular confessions
• Youth music group/ Choir
• Praise and worship
• Youth coffee shop
• Counseling program at Parish
• Social events/ Have fun or relax together now and again

The Vicar for Youth, Diocesan Youth Office and Deanery structures (chaplain, coordinators, and executive) are available to assist in these areas as needed.

Constitution of the Youth Parish Forum – Sample

YEAR PLAN 2011