General Information

MISSION STATEMENT                      

St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Youth Ministry is committed to the reality that young people are an important and integral part of our parish community. The youth program seeks to foster the maturing of faith in the youth of our parish and the surrounding community.
 
We affirm the gifts of our youth and we foster opportunities for young people to share their gifts with the larger community. The spiritual and social needs of the youth are to be met with the committed leadership, guidance, and support of our parish adults. The adults and youth of our parish are therefore provided with the opportunity to grow together in Christian faith.
 
Through a variety of programs, events, and outreach, we seek to draw young people into responsible participation in the life, work, and mission of the parish community.
 
We believe this ministry is to, with, by, and for young people and is a blessing for the entire community.

Goals

1. To empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today.
2. To draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic faith community.
3. To foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person. 

PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their youth.  Family catechesis precedes, accompanies, and enriches other forms of instruction in the faith.  Parents have the mission of teaching their children to pray and to discover their vocation as children of God.  (Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), 2223, 2226)
 
Parents are the primary religious educators of their children. This responsibility calls you, as parents to
 

• participate in weekly liturgies
• pray together as a family using required prayers for a particular grade level as a guide
• be a living example of your Catholic faith
• participate in family and parent activities in the parish
• prepare your child for the sacraments of First Eucharist, First Reconciliation, and Confirmation

                                          
We offer you an opportunity to help your child grow in a faith community setting, to encourage prayer and active spirituality, and to draw closer to Christ. Your child’s catechist/teacher is eager to help you in continuing the mission of Jesus.

St. Joseph's Catholic Church aims to empower young people to live as disciples of Christ. We do this by providing a multidemensional appraoch that is holistic and developmental, people centered and needs focused. 

A COMPREHENSIVE VISION
Our Youth Ministry program is family friendly, intergenerational, multicultural, community focused, and aims to provide opportuntities for the young people to ENCOUNTER CHRIST.

Throughout the year, our young people hear their leaders give personal testimonies of their personal relationship with Christ. We offer several parent/youth formation nights and we bring the youth outside of the classroom to learn through active participation such as field trips, prayer nights, and service experiences.
 
CATECHIST FORMATION
St. Joseph’s offers in-services for new and experienced catechists.   Catechists can schedule meeting times with the faith formation directors to discuss topics related to faith instruction. Catechists are also encouraged to take part in diocesan-offered educational opportunities.
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Catechist or small group leader, please contact Melissa at 284-6229
 
SAFE ENVIRONMENT
As a diocese and as a parish, we are committed to providing a safe environment to the children and youth to whom we minister. All catechists and adults who work with youth are required to have training on “safe environment” issues yearly, along with a background check. A coordinated safe environment curriculum for children in kindergarten through twelfth grade is offered at parishes through the diocese. In this way, we hope to provide a secure environment in which children and youth can learn of their faith and have the tools to ask for help if and when necessary for their personal safety.
Crookston Diocese Certification Website:
http://www.crookston.org/offices/safeenvironment/certification