Youth Empowerment
A Youth Empowerment Forum was held where over 50 teens, between the grades of 8th through their freshman year of college, began developing the framework of a Black Catholic youth ministry.
The forum was established to hear directly from the youth and college aged students, exactly what they needed to feel comfortable in fully participating in liturgy and parish life. The feedback given by the youth/teens is posted below and is being used in developing a pastoral plan for a Black Catholic youth ministry.
If you are a youth interested in more details or a young adult who would like to assist, please contact us at: obc@richmonddiocese.org or (804) 622-5104.
Read the responses below to see what's on the hearts and minds of our teens.
What makes a good Youth Ministry?
- A lot of Youth participate
- Ideas of Youth carried out by Youth and supported by Adults
- Need multiple activities to choose from
- More activities like today when Youth from different
- parishes come together
- More competition - e.g. sports
- Good food
- Good music
- Low cost activities
- Youth know each other
- Those supervising shouldn't be so mean
What makes a bad Youth Ministry?
- Youth are not represented at different ministries and meetings
- Boring
- Adults are corny
- Music - bad (not good)
- If gas money, older teen can bring younger teen
- Not managed by Youth
- Adults don't lead by example
- Adults do what is important
- Don't discuss Youth topics
- Not enough Youth activities, they're either cut out or done only once
- Don't address spiritual needs
- Adults give a rule/don't allow Youth creativity
- Adults talk too much
- Parents won't bring you to fun stuff
- No gas money to come
What do parents need from the Church in order to support the Youth?
- Mass for Youth
- Transportation
- Schedule
- Better marketing - i.e. internet
- Provide resources to support kids
- Convenient/parent support system
- More frequent feedback from the Youth
- Parents be open-minded
How do we improve Leadership Development?
- Participate
- Come up with more programs
- Take initiative
- Take ideas from everybody
- Get public speakers (come up with group activities)
- Workshops
- Have more activities to choose from
- Give us transportation to and from
- Let us plan events (talent shows, basketball, dances)
- Let us be more involved in Mass other than Altar Serving
- Trips
- Food
- Entertainment
- Resources
- Gas money
- Teen own space
- After school programs
- Workshops
- Training
- Websites and phone hotlines
- More fun
- Workshops
- Training