Volume 1, Issue 2 - Office of Youth Ministry

OFFICE OF
YOUTH MINISTRY
NEWSLETTER
IN THIS
ISSUE

Office of Youth
Ministry

Formation
Program

MLK Service
Day

NCYC 2013
RECAP

NYCYD 2014:
New York
Catholic Youth
Day at SJS!

Spot Light; Fr.
Justin Cinnante
and YM
Colleen Brogden

Youth in Action

CYM Council

Upcoming
events

OYMNY Newsletter
The Messenger
“I want a mess in the Dioceses… I want the church to go out to the streets!”
— Pope Francis
V O L U ME 1, I S S UE 2
Greetings from OYMNY!
In our second issue
of the MESSenger, we cannot help but be reminded of
how our Holy Father challenged us to make a "mess
in our diocese," and that is
precisely what we have been
doing. This past year, we
made great strides in trying
to reach the young people of
the Archdiocese of New
York and the credit goes to
you! In one year, we participated in New York Catholic
Youth Day (NYCYD) locally,
World Youth Day in Brazil,
internationally, as well as the
National Catholic Youth
Conference (NCYC) in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are
leaving "no stones unturned." The Office of Youth
Ministry had been hard at
work in forming our new
youth ministers as well as
nurturing our veterans. We
have tried to be present to
our pastors by visiting the
different vicariates as well as
a support to our parochial
vicars and parish staff.
Now, we have a "new" challenge given to us by Pope
Francis, in his apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium. In it, he proposes that
we are called to spread the
Gospel message with great
joy and "newness." In the
eleventh paragraph, he proposes that "He (Jesus) is
forever young and a constant source of newness."
As we continue to spread
the Good News with great
joy this year let us turn to
Jesus, "the constant source
of newness" and put our
efforts in regaining what has
been lost. We are excited
with all of the many retreats,
events and opportunities that
we have planned for our
youth and youth ministers
this year, but they will not be
successful if you are not
there. Please do not miss
out, we are here for you!
In Christ,
Fr. Joe and Cynthia
Follow us! Join
us and keep
informed!
Office of Youth Ministry: Retreat for Youth Ministers 2014
“'Without prayer we have
neither light nor strength to
advance in the way which
leads to God.' St. Alphonsus
Maria de Liguori
We have all been there; we
become so involved in our
ministry that the last person
we worry about is ourselves.
The Office of Youth Ministry
wants to provide you a
weekend FOR YOU!
A weekend away from work
and ministry, to get back to
the heart of our calling as
youth ministers.
Join us the weekend of
February 21-23 at Blair
Lodge for our annual youth
minister’s retreat. We begin
on Friday, February 21 at
7pm and conclude on Sunday, February 23 right after
lunch. Cost for the weekend
is $110 (cost covers all
meals and materials). Space
is limited.
Email [email protected] or
call 914-367-8329 to reserve
your space.
PAGE
2
National Catholic Youth Conference: Recap
Last November, 104 delegates
from different parishes and groups
from the Archdiocese undertook the
journey to Indianapolis to attend the
National Catholic Youth Conference.
Zach Raessler (left)
from Maybrook spent
all summer fundraising
his way to attend
NCYC.
The parishes that braved the fifteen hour bus ride from New York to
Indianapolis were: From Manhattan:
Our Lady of Sorrows, St. Teresa/
Nativity, St. Mary’s, St. Joseph of
the Holy Family, Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz; from the Bronx: St.
John, Our Lady of Angels and St.
Joan of Arc; from Yonkers: St. Peter’s; from Staten Island: Immacu-
late Conception; from Orange
County – Assumption in Maybrook. St. Peter’s Church
was the proud recipient of a
scholarship from the Catholic
Youth Foundation which facilitated the attendance of 13 of
their participants.
that sharing with so many others who were so open about
their faith, inspired her to take
pride in being Catholic. One of
the youth leaders reported
that her participants expressed
interest in “taking on more
leadership roles in the work we
do with youth in our parish and
in the community.”
They came together with
hundreds of thousands young
Catholics to give witness and Next NCYC will once again be
celebrate their faith. One of
held in Indianapolis in 2015!
the participants shared that
this experience helped her to
be more “expressive” regarding her faith. She commented
2014 Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
Youth from Holy Rosary and
St. Peter’s Church preparing
meals
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day,
forty youth from St. Peter’s Parish
in Yonkers and Holy Rosary in
Port Chester, joined forty youth
from the United Jewish Appeal
(UJA) Federation in an Interfaith
Day of Service at the Don Bosco
Community Center in Port Chester, NY. They volunteered to
prepare and serve meals to approximately 200 people. They
also led arts and crafts activities
for the participants. Afterward,
the youth were led in an ecumen-
ical period of reflection. Nitza
Balderas from Holy Rosary
said,
"Being part of this event was a
rewarding experience, it was
awesome to see teens from
different backgrounds, parishes
and schools come together for
this event. It makes us realize
that as a younger generation
we should step up and be more
active in our communities.”
Marlyn Suarez from St. Peter’s
commented that this was a great
opportunity to interact and work
with youth from another religion
and take note of the similarities.
This event will be followed up
by the Families Feeding Families
event scheduled for February
9th, where the same Jewish and
Catholic youth will gather once
again to sort and package food.
Youth Ministry Formation Training: Review
This past December concluded a ten session Youth Ministry Formation Training program. Participants agreed that the program
was enriching and empowered them to apply
what they learned and continue their YM
work, start YM programs, and even reinvent
the programs in their respective parishes.
The program consisted of classes that
highlighted everything from effective ways of
starting a youth ministry program to becoming an effective leader. The formation classes
are excellent for the beginner in ministry as
well as for those with years of experience.
The overall feedback from the participants,
was that every Youth Minister should take
these courses to refresh their ability to shep-
herd the youth in this ever-changing world.
Many of us have been “thrown into the fire”,
but with whatever experience you have, take
advantage of this training. Sessions begin
again in the Fall.
Example of Current Sessions:
Envisioning Youth Ministry
Engaging this Generation
Be the Best YOU: A Theology of Strengths
Youth Minister as Believer & Catechist
Starting Right: Strategic Youth Ministry
Jesus as Model of Leadership
Christian Leadership Skills Development
Ice Breakers & Community Building
From the Pews to the Streets: Catholic Social
Teaching
Walk the Talk: Catholic 24/7
Empowering Youth to PRAY
VOLUME
1,
ISSUE
2
PAGE
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NYCYD 2014: New York Catholic Youth Day
It is time to mark your calendars again for
May 10th!! New York Catholic Youth Day
2014 is coming soon! This marks the second annual celebration of Catholic youth
ages 13-21. This year's theme, "What's
Your BEatitude?" is inspired by the declaration of Pope Francis of the next 3 World
Youth Day themes which are being taken
from the Beatitudes beginning with:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is
the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 5:3).
Starting this year all annual World Youth
Days will focus on a Beatitude from
Christ’s Sermon on the Mount found in
the Gospel of Matthew. This year’s
NYCYD will be held in our very own back- from Hard as Nails Minisyard, at St. Joseph's Seminary in Yontry, Ansel Augustine from
kers, NY from 9am - 5pm.
the Archdiocese of New
Orleans, Sr. Colleen
Last year, we gathered around 1,400
Clair, FMA, New Name
participants, and we hope to welcome
Ministry and many more
more young Catholics from our diocese to surprises! Once again, we will be collecting
join us in praise, worship and fellowship. non-perishable food to help the "Feeding Our
The last time Saint Joseph’s Seminary
Neighbor" campaign reach their goals. The
was filled with young people was in 2008 group that brings the most donations will win a
when Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI visited prize! For more information and to register,
New York. We are up for the challenge
visit our website: www.oymny.org. Registrato fill the lawn again!.
tion will open on March 3. Spread the Word!
More information in the coming weeks so stay
Joining us this year are: His Eminence
tuned.
Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Justin Fatica
Father Justin Cinnante
What is the funniest question a young person
has asked you?
The funniest question has been
“Are you a real priest?”
Fr.
Justin, a native
New Yorker from
the Bronx, was
ordained on May
12, 2007.
for youth ministers. Fr. Justin has a
What is your favorite bible verse/quote?
great devotions for the Saints, just
St Paul: "I can do all things through him who
ask him about his collection of relics! strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)
Who is your favorite saint/
What inspires you about working with young
devotion?
people?
Working with young people especially as a ChapMy favorite devotion is the Divine
Currently he is
lain in a High School gives me a lot of hope in seeMercy, the Blessed Mother, St. Joserving in Holy
seph and all of the saints...I have the ing how the Holy Spirit is active in their lives. They
Family Parish in New Rochelle after
are the hope of the Church and the future Saints
relics to prove it!
that God Is raising up to rebuild and renew the
serving as Director of Campus Ministry
What made you become a priest? Church. It gives me great joy in helping them know
at Archbishop Stepinac High School.
Speaking with Fr. Justin you really do I was inspired by reading the lives of and experience God's Love and watch them share
the Saints and wanting to be like the that with others. Truly the Kingdom of God is
feel the spirit of Don Bosco and Saint
among us!
Priest Saints who were like our SuPhilip Neri two of the greatest saints
per Heroes.
Colleen Tempestilli
Colleen is originally
from the Bronx &
has been living in
Fishkill, NY since
elementary school,
where she is now
the Youth Minister at St. Mary’s
Church. She has a twin sister,
and will be celebrating her 10 year
wedding anniversary to her husband Tom in April. Colleen has
been blessed to accompany teens
to World Youth Days in Italy, Canada, Germany, Australia and
Spain. She is also a retreat team
member of the Women of the Waters at Capuchin Youth & Family
Ministries (CYFM).
Who is your confirmation Saint?
Saint Margaret (of Scotland), chosen after
my own grandmother. I then learned that
St. Margaret was a pious queen who raised
8 children and was an advocate for building
churches and getting good teachers for
schools in Scotland.
Who was/is/has been is your role Model?
My Mom who was devoted to the Blessed
Mother and my Dad who read the Bible
cover to cover twice. They taught us the
importance and power of prayer, to help
others, and to have a good work ethic.
How many years have you been involved in Youth Ministry?
I was involved in Youth Ministry for 3 years
when I was in HS and returned to Youth
Ministry as an adult volunteer advisor in 1997 for
God's TYM (Total Youth Ministry) affiliated with Capuchin Youth and Family Ministries in Garrison, NY. I
became the Youth Minister in September 2001, and
to still be involved is a blessing!
Favorite Food?
I love great Italian food. My husband is Italian/
American and his Mom taught him how to cook. I am
so blessed!
How did you come to encounter God?
Faith was an important part of my family life. We
always went to Mass on Sundays and the Holy days,
and we attended Catholic schools. Although there
was a time when my Mom had agoraphobia, and
she would not leave the house, she still prayed all
the time and watched Mass on TV. We all prayed
that she would overcome this and with God's grace,
after a few years, she did! The power of prayer has
been so evident throughout my life.
Youth in Action
CYM Council
OYMNY goes on Mission!
Come and join us this summer as we unite with our
brothers and sisters from the Diocese of Helena (Montana) in
their Justice Outreach Project. We will be spending a week in
the town of Browning which is the center of the Blackfeet Nation, to labor, engage in cultural exchange and fellowship all
focused around the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.
This is a great opportunity to go outside of our comfort zones
and cross the borders of race and culture. Dates are: June 2227, 2014.
The cost includes: $225 fee plus flight to Great Falls, MT,
ground transportation, and materials.
First deposit of $200 is due on March 21, 2014 and final
payment due on Friday, May 23, 2014. For more information
and to register call or email the Office of Youth Ministry.
We want to invite you to join us at our next Council
Meeting on Saturday, June 14th, 2014. These council meetings are open to all priests, religious, youth ministers and
youth that want to stay in the know with what is going on with
Youth Ministry and network with other youth ministers. The
council meets three times a year at St. Joseph’s Seminary.
You will also have the opportunity to join any one of our working subcommittees and collaborate on the different youth ministry endeavors around the Archdiocese.
The subcommittees are:
Communications
Social/ Apostolic
Spirituality
Vocations
Formation /Leadership
Email us to stay connected!
Archdiocesan Dance Troupe/Hype Team
Are you ready to shout to the Lord, move with the Spirit, and
join in on the biggest, funnest, and most exciting moving prayer in New York? Then join the Archdiocesan Dance
Troupe and Hype Team! Youth and young adults from across
the Archdiocese are invited to participate in a new and unique
dance troupe, who will make their performance debut at New
York Catholic Youth Day 2014 and help get the crowd going at
the big event! No experience necessary, all dance styles welcome, and all types of performers - dancers, singers, musicians, actors, spoken word artists, etc. are encouraged to join!
Learn more and sign-up your youth by e-mailing
Jessica Abejar at: [email protected].
Check us out on the Web
WWW.OYMNY.ORG
On the Horizon: Upcoming Events
February. 21-23nd (Fri-Sat.):
Youth Minister Retreat
June 7th. (Sat.) Kickball Tournament @ St. Joseph Seminary 10am4pm Inviting all Youth Groups, ConfirMarch. 22nd (Saturday) 3– 5pm: mation Programs, Schools, etc. All
Youth Minister’s Afternoon of
ages are welcomed Rain or Shine!
Recollection
June 14th (Sat.) final CYM Council
April 25-27th (Fri-Sun.): Youth
meeting of the season St. Joseph’s
2000 Retreat, St. Brendan's
Seminary
Church, Bronx, NY
June 23rd –27th OYMNY goes on
Same weekend of April 25-27th mission to Montana
Continuing the journey conference for Youth Ministers, Kearny September 27th Life Teen EmpowNJ.
er Session for Youth Ministers
May 10th (Sat.) NYCYD: New
York Catholic Youth Day, St. Joseph’s Seminary
May 24th (Sat.) Ordination to
the Priesthood
December 5-7 National Conference
for Catholic Youth Ministers, San Antonio, TX
Subscribe to our mailing list
www.oymny.org
and submit your dates to
[email protected]
OYMNY
Office of Youth Ministry New York
201 Seminary avenue.
Yonkers, NY 10704
Neumann Hall
Phone: 914-367-8329
Fax: 914-367-8123
E-mail:[email protected]
Preparing youth and young
adults to hear and respond
to the call of Jesus Christ
This newsletter is product of the work of our Communications Subcommittee.