Not too long ago, I was asked to put together a list of what makes successful youth ministries successful. As I was thinking about this, I found myself almost immediately coming up with a list of the opposite. I could readily come up with a list of traits that contributed to unsuccessful youth ministries. I Read more
Since reading Pope Francis’ new document, The Joy of the Gospel, I have a huge amount of hope for the future of the Church’s work with the young. It raises many points that would mean, if we do it right, we’re much more open, available and welcoming to young people. While I think the Pope’s Read more
A common activity in youth work is to use the day’s newspapers to help start a discussion with young people. I can only imagine the apprehension of any church youth leaders using this activity last Wednesday. The Daily Mail headline, ‘Minister: My fear for boys warped by porn’ could have produced a rather uncomfortable conversation. Read more
“I am a magnificent failure,” Ashton Kutcher announced on the TEDYouth stage in New Orleans on Saturday. “I screw up so much it hurts.” The star of television show “Two and a Half Men” said this not to be self-deprecating or to beat up on himself, but to drive home the point that failure is Read more
I’ve covered enough papal trips under Pope John Paul II and Benedict XVI to be familiar with the routine. As the press centre fills, the first reports filter out of the Pope’s remarks to journalists accompanying him on the plane. The familiar Alitalia A330 touches down on the airport tarmac flying the Vatican and local Read more
What can be more painful to a parent than losing a child to suicide? The problem of cyberbullying was brought to national attention several years ago by the passing of 13-year-old Megan Meier, who committed suicide subsequent to cyberbullying by Lori Drew, the mother of another girl. Despite years of public campaigns and passage of Read more
Most young people in Britain think that morality means looking after your family or putting others first, a BBC poll suggests. Almost 600 16 to 24-year-olds were asked to choose the most important moral issue from eight options, with 59% opting for caring for family. Some 4% said having religious faith or beliefs was the Read more
Children as young as five “with deep-set problems” are among more than 2000 Waikato students stood down from school last year for offences including sexual abuse, assault and drug use. Waikato Principals’ Association chair and Marian Catholic School principal John Coulam said primary school students were not immune from being stood down for serious offences. Read more
Victoria University religious studies professor Paul Morris says there is evidence of a religious revival among the young. Dr Morris conducted a survey of 147 students at the university and found of those who had a religious upbringing, half of them were as committed to their faith as when they were growing up. About 10 Read more
Youth ministry in the Wellington archdiocese has received a shake-up, with a renewed focus on mentoring and training to be implemented from early next year.
A review document looking at resourcing across the archdiocese concluded funds ought to be channelled more towards supporting those already working with young people
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