Week of April 4, 2010

St. Pat YM seeking help with Yr. of Priest project: St. Patrick (Chesterton) H.S. Youth Ministry is interested in finding out whether or not there are other groups who might want to help out with an event to recognize priests from our diocese.  In that this is the "Year of the Priest", they are considering holding some kind of a meal or appetizers & hors d'oeuvres with drinks in early June on a Friday.  If other youth groups would like to work with St. Pat on this contact them ASAP.  Email Mary Ellen Sullivan- dsullivancATyahoo.com or call 840-0562.

Source & Summit just a few wks away: You’ve been reading about S&S here in Notes. You might have been hearing about it through the grapevine, or maybe you’ve read me plug it every year for a few years, but there are many of you who have not witnessed it first hand! P.J. Anderson (YMC, St. John the Evangelist., St. John) asked me to pass along a special invitation to youth ministers throughout the diocese—even those who are not bringing a group of youth—to swing by and check out S&S. It’s a unique retreat experience that speaks to middle school and high school adolescents. But also through the ever-Present Eucharist attending adults are usually inspired as well. And speaking of inspired, Inspired (the contemporary band you might remember from Grásta Dé!) is there all weekend, getting young people, well, inspired! Find out what people are talking out: a presentation of St. John the Evangelist (St. John), Source & Summit is scheduled for April 23-25 at Andrean High School. If you have questions, or for more info, contact P.J. at 219-365-5678 x254, and check out sourceandsummitretreat.org . Be sure to check out the great YouTube promo video there as well!

Youth Ministry University returns: OYYA presents “Youth Ministry University,” a two day YM training program, on two consecutive Thursdays, Apr. 29 & May 6, 5:30-9:30pm both nights, at Nativity of Our Savior, Portage. YMU trains YM coordinators, volunteers, and anyone working with young people in middle and high school. The content is based on the comprehensive model of YM advocated by the USCCB in Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry. The interactive two-day program will also review the history of YM in the U.S., YM basics, and give you and your team a chance to do a self-assessment of your ministry. Cost is free. To “enroll,” just RSVP your attendance to 219-769-9292 x229, or email yyakevATyahoo.com .

Internet/Social networking seminar: If I had to narrow down the biggest trend in media and youth culture in the last five years, it would far and away be internet social networking. With more and more teens using web-enabled phones, their life status is truly lived in real time. This is justifiably scary for us Church leaders who for an entire decade were told to be extremely careful how we connect with youth. How do we reconcile our need to have an online presence with our fear of crossing boundaries? I am happy to announce an evening seminar on Social Media, Monday, May 17, Our Lady of Consolation (Merrillville), 6:30-8:30. Sponsored by OYYA & Higher Ground Creative Media, our expert presenter is Joe Kern, who specializes in social network marketing, and who has himself developed online strategies in youth ministry. The evening will be open to anyone interested in the topic: YM’s, parents, teachers, DRE’s, catechists, principals, priests, etc. No RSVP necessary: come one, come all!

Teen Dating Violence-Free Webinar: The Indiana Youth Institute presents a free webinar, “Understanding and Responding to Teen Dating Violence," Wed., April 28, 1:00-2:30 pm (central). In recent years there has been a concerted effort to offer programs around dating violence prevention. While this is a necessary step for preventing relationship violence in the next generation, these primary prevention efforts are rarely designed to offer individual assistance to those adolescents that may already be in violent relationships. The presenter, Darla McKeeman, Ph.D. HSPP, will focus on how to effectively work with adolescents who are currently involved in dating violence. Participants will increase their understanding of signs and symptoms of dating violence, gain effective strategies for responding to adolescents involved in dating violence, and learn how to identify and access community resources available to youth involved in dating violence. Free for Indiana youth workers. Pre-registration required. Visit iyi.org/webinar .

Creative fundraiser- Prom Dress Sale: St. Edward (Lowell) YM will hold a Formal/Prom Dress Sale this Sat., April 10 from 9a- 2p at the church.  They are selling gently used dresses and accessories. Most dresses are just $25 or less. Proceeds benefit the YM pgm and a sponsored child in Sierra Leon. For more information, contact Mary Bean at 219-314-2686.