CatholicYouthMinistry.com | Resources, Training, Blogs for Adults in Catholic Youth Ministry

He is Near: A Free Video and Small Group Guide for Advent

Editor’s Note: For use as a small group reflection, read the first couple paragraphs aloud, then watch the video and discuss the questions, ending your time by either reading the prayer together, or having one person read the prayer to the group. Who would the Holy Family be in our […]

The One Advent I Almost Quit Youth Ministry

by Joel Stepanek

When I entered youth ministry as a volunteer, I thought it was amazing. In hindsight, I think I realize why I thought that: I had a set group of teenagers that I ministered to every single week I never was around on Monday morning to hear about what was broken […]

Self-Care 101 for Youth Ministers

by Cheyenne Vasquez

Sometimes in ministry you need to make time for yourself. Self-care is important for balance in Youth Ministry. Before you start implementing rules in your life for self-care, you need to start with time management. Creating a work calendar will help keep you organized and hold you accountable to your […]

The Teens in Front of You

by Kelly Colangelo

Let us not forget that Life Teen is a relationship-centered ministry. As youth leaders, we should always be engaging in relationships with teens and encouraging them to a deeper relationship with Christ. Don’t miss out on the teens in front of you!

Take Heart: Talking About This Angry Election Cycle with Teens

by Katie Prejean McGrady

My heart broke. Even my 14-year-old freshmen are able to articulate the perfect word to capture our nation right now: angry.

The Joy of Life

by Jackie Angel

One of my absolute favorite movies is Life is Beautiful, starring Roberto Benigni as a humorous, joyful, hopeful husband and father through one of the history’s darkest times, the Holocaust. When I found out that this movie was Saint John Paul II’s favorite movie, it made total sense. The young […]

Chaos, Hope, and the Parish Staff

by Life Teen

It was the night of our fall semester kickoff. The core team was gathered, the name tags were out, and the Pokémon were hidden at various “Pokéstops” throughout the facility. One last prayer, one last deep breath, and the glass doors were opened to the chaos that is junior high […]

You Need to Step Out Onto the Waves with Christ

by Joel Stepanek

Too many of us are hanging out in the boat of our ministry and our discipleship. What would you do if you decided that, for the next year, you were going to ditch the boat and step out onto that water? What if you took the adventure of discipleship seriously, took off the water wings, and decided to make things happen?