FAQ’s

Youth Ministry is just playing games

Comprehensive youth ministry incorporates eight components of ministry to young people as designated by the United States Catholic Conference (USCC), in their document, “Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry.” These include advocacy, catechesis, community life, evangelization, justice/service, leadership development, pastoral care and prayer/worship. All components are necessary for a holistic approach that is attractive, appropriate for and beneficial to youth. Each experience is rooted in our Catholic faith and tradition.

My child attends Catholic school or religious education; they get enough faith education. There’s no need to participate in youth ministry.

Ascension’s total youth ministry offers more than just faith education. It is comprehensive. It is about faith formation and faith integration – the living out of one’s faith, building connections between life-faith experiences, connecting youth with their parish community, fostering a sense of Catholic identity within self and with peers. Offerings include a wide variety of experiences to develop the entire person well beyond just knowledge.

My child can’t attend youth group regularly, so they can’t come or aren’t welcome to the special events

All total youth ministry events are open to anyone at anytime. There is no required attendance policy or special membership. Whether a teen comes to one, none, or all of the regular group meetings, they are ALWAYS welcome to come to the events that interest them. Every youth isn’t always interested in youth group, but they may be interested in some of the special events (service, socials, and outings). This is why we offer a wide variety of events to meet as many needs as possible.

My child’s friends aren’t Catholic, they wouldn’t fit in a Catholic youth ministry event

Every youth ministry event is open to any youth Catholic or not. The atmosphere is very warm and welcoming. We have some non-Catholics that attend just as much as our own parish youth. We are not out to convert, but to offer opportunities for youth to gather comfortably in Christian community.

I want my child to go on retreat, but they don’t - so I won’t force them to go.

This is a tough situation. Ascension’s total youth ministry offers great retreats that are designed to meet the needs and situations of where the kids are at – whether they want to be there or are present through strong parental encouragement. We support the parental encouragement of their child’s participation. We are confident in the quality ministry we offer that we can provide a positive experience for almost any teen. We have kids that can attest to their conversion experiences that were assisted by parental nudging to get involved!

Only the kids active in youth group are being ministered to

This is why the ‘ministry of presence’ is so important in total youth ministry at Ascension. The young people of Ascension do not become connected to their parish through youth group alone. Connections are built through relationships, meeting teens on their turf, invitations, and attentiveness to their needs. This is why connections to the parish come in ministry of presence to ages beginning below the junior high years in school/religious ed., visits to area private/public high schools and events, mail ministry with newsletters/notes of affirmation, involvement with scouts, athletics and more.

What are LIFE Groups?

LIFE stands for Living In Faith Experiences. LIFE Groups are small Christian communities for teens rooted in our Catholic heritage…challenging young people to integrate their life and faith…to walk their talk as young disciples!

What LIFE Group is not:

LIFE Group is not a class, CCD, sitting in desks or listening to lectures.

What do I get out of a LIFE Group?
Get involved in LIFE Groups and you will have the opportunity to…
-Enjoy the support of friends and adult mentors
-Risk to live your faith
-Discover what it means to be a disciple of Christ
-Learn what it means to “be Church”
-Deal with life and faith issues important to YOU
-Grow in your Catholic identity
-Live life to the full
-Enjoy great snacks

Who, What, When and Where of LIFE Groups:

-Groups meet 11:45am-1:45pm., 5:00-7:00pm or 7:00-9:00pm twice a month October thru May (usually 1st/3rd Sundays)
-Groups consist of 6-10 high school teens of similar grade level.
-Groups meet in the comfort of volunteers’ homes and in the Youth Room.

What do you do at a LIFE Group meeting?

Well, for one thing, you enjoy great homemade snacks! Besides the eating, you get into great discussion on important life-faith issues important to you. In fact, it is the youth who select the topics in each group. In the past, topics have covered: stress, cults, war, abortion, sex/dating, mediation, prayer, marriage/divorce,authority, discipleship. Through creative activities, indepth discussions, digging into Scripture and Church teaching, you learn more than you’d ever expect!