Principles for Addressing Diversity Issues in Youth Ministry (YM)
Course Level: Intermediate
Course Summary
An introduction to the importance of inclusivity in Catholic youth ministry in important areas of diversity: intercultural ministry, ministry in the digital context, and the involvement of persons with disabilities. The course involves:
- An exploration of key concepts about culture and how the inclusion of multiple cultural and ethnic groups impacts effective ministry with young people and their families
- An examination of ways to promote intercultural understanding and some necessary skills for intercultural ministry
- A review of pastoral principles for effective ministry in a culturally diverse parish
- An exploration of principles and practices of ministry with young people within digital culture
- An overview of Church directives and documents that provide a rationale for the inclusion of young people with disabilities in our ministry efforts
Successful completion of this course earns 2.5 CEU's.
General Course Objectives
- Identify key issues and deepen an understanding of terms and definitions that highlight principles for ministry in a culturally diverse Church.
- Review ramifications of the impact of an influx of multiple cultural and ethnic groups on ministry in parish settings and explore skills needed for effective intercultural ministry to and with young people in parish settings.
- Articulate ways to promote intercultural awareness and review techniques that develop deeper understandings between intercultural groups
- Explore the principles and practices of ministry with young people within digital culture.
- Examine ministerial principles for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in parish Youth Ministry
Course Materials
- Required Book: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. July, 2020. Directory for Catechesis: New Edition ISBN: 1601376693; ISBN-13: 978-1601376695; ASIN: B08FCT5TLJ
- Required Book: Barone, John A Place for All Winona, MN: St. Mary's Press, 2008. ISBN: 0884899721; ISBN-13: 978-0884899723
Course Structure and Highlights
- Week 1: Understanding the Impact of Culture on Effective Ministry
- Define ‘culture’ and understand that everyone is shaped and formed by the culture(s) in which they are immersed.
- Understand the parameters for understanding and interacting with people from various cultures and how ministerial efforts among them must adapt to the operative characteristics of those varying cultures.
- Understand the difference between the term and concept ‘multicultural’ and the term and concept ‘pluricultural’ in reference to ministry.
- Week 2: Intercultural Competency
- Understand the need for intercultural competency in youth ministry.
- Develop practical knowledge of intercultural communication, including decision making and conflict resolution.
- Name some key insights for a growing as a ministry leader.
- Week 3: Youth Ministry in Shared Parishes
- Grow in an understanding that throughout history, parish ministry has changed to respond to the needs of different cultural and ethnic groups.
- Review pastoral principles for youth ministry in culturally diverse parishes.
- Learn the stages for building effective youth ministry in culturally diverse parishes.
- Week 4: Youth Ministry in Digital Culture
- Consider the aspects of the “digital” as a culture, exploring the differences between digital natives and digital immigrants.
- Name implications for ministry with young people and their families in light of understanding digital culture.
- Review and affirm pastoral principles and practices for ministry in the digital culture.
- Week 5: The Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Parish Youth Ministry
- Consider directives from the Vatican and USCCB statements on the inclusion of persons with disabilities in parish programming.
- Understand that the value of inclusivity applies to persons with disabilities.
- Consider critical issues and techniques for ministry for youth with special needs
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