Synod V

The word "Synod" comes from two ancient Greek words meaning "walk together".  In our fifth Diocesan Synod the Bishop of La Crosse, having received extensive consultation from around the Diocese, outlined how we are to walk together as a Diocese into the future, as we work together to build up the Kingdom of God. 

The Synodal Legislation pertaining to youth ministry outlines how we are to go about the work of the New Evangelization in the service of our young people.  The Synod calls upon parishes to make Youth Ministry a top priority, and to develop holistic programs that bring teens fully into the full life of the Church. 

This will require time, talent, and treasure of our parishes and high schools, but will be a worthwhile investment.

For those who fully take up the challenges presented to us in the Synod - they will find that Youth Ministry is not only a necessity for the life of the Church of tomorrow, but a source of renewal for the Church of today!   

SYNODal LEGISLATION FOR MINISTRY TO YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS

I

Youth Ministry is to be a priority for parishes and deaneries.

II

A comprehensive youth ministry program of which catechesis is an essential component is to be provided by every parish or by several parishes working together for young people through their senior year of high school. 

The eight components of a comprehensive youth ministry as laid by the USCCB in Renewing the Vision are:

Advocacy

Catechesis

Community life

Evangelization

Justice and Service

Leadership development

Pastoral care

Worship and prayer 

III

The use of national programs, such as Life Teen and Dead Theologians Society, as youth ministry programming resources is encouraged. 

IV

Daily prayer, the devotional life, the regular confession of sins, and the centrality of the Sunday Eucharist are to be stressed in every aspect of youth ministry.

V

A principal aspect of youth ministry is to be assistance of youth in discerning their vocation in life. Special help is to be provided for young men and women whom God may be calling to the priesthood or consecrated life.

VI

Directors of youth ministry on the parish, interparish or deanery level are to be employed in order that the young people, both before and after receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, will continue to grow in their knowledge and practice of the Catholic faith.

VII

The Diocese is to provide the instrument for the certification of youth ministers and to publish Diocesan standards for certification. The Lay Formation Program is to provide appropriate means for certification of those who do not otherwise meet Diocesan standards.

VIII

The campus ministry at the four secular universities and the technical colleges in the Diocese and at Viterbo University is essential to the pastoral care of young people. Particular effort is to be shown in assisting students to understand more fully their Catholic identity and the richness of the Catholic faith.

IX

Programs of spiritual retreat are to be offered for youth and young adults. Participation in national programs–for example National Evangelization Team (NET), Teens Encounter Christ (TEC), the high-school youth conference of the Franciscan University of Steubenville and the Youth 2000 Program of the Reformed Capuchin Friars–is encouraged.

X

Parishes and deaneries are to cooperate with Catholic associations of the faithful, for example the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women and the Knights of Columbus, in providing special programs to promote the involvement of the Catholic youth in the Church.

XI

Scouting is a premier form of youth ministry.  Parishes and other Catholic institutions are encouraged to sponsor Scout units in which the ideals of Scouting are cultivated within the context of the Catholic faith and its practice.  The Catholic religious awards programs of Scouting are to be promoted throughout the Diocese.

(See #'s 44-54 in Chapter 4 of the Synod book.)