New Cycle Begins October 18-19, 2008
Please note that you are able to begin the program at any stage.
The Canadian Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies is designed for coordinators of youth ministry, volunteer youth ministers, pastors, pastoral workers, high school chaplains and teachers, guidance counselors, campus ministers and parents.It provides an introductory understanding of core areas of Catholic beliefs as well as Scripture, Christology, Ecclesiology, Christian Ministry, Sacraments, Morality and Social Justice. Participants will develop techniques for a creative and comprehensive youth ministry in any setting whether it is in a church, a school, with families or in the community.
To obtain a certificate a student must:
- Participate in all 8 courses.
- Complete the learning journal questions.
- Complete the assignments and required reading for each course.
- Submit all journals and assignments by required deadline.
- Attend small group learning team meetings.
- Demonstrate a basic level of theological competence.
| CYCLE I - 2008-2009 | |
| Seminar | Weekend |
| Principles of Youth Ministry
presents the fundamental principles for developing an effective, comprehensive ministry with younger and older adolescents.
Course topics include: the pastoral foundations for ministry, healthy adolescent development, family friendly youth ministry, ministry with youth in the parish, school and civic community, media awareness and multi-cultural awareness. |
October 18 - 19 |
| Practices of Youth Ministry | January 31 - February 1, 2009 |
| Foundations for Catholic Leadership | March 28-29 |
| Skills for Christian Ministry | April 25-26, 2009 |
| CYCLE II - 2009-2010 | |
| Seminar | Weekend |
| Justice and Service | TBA |
| Evangelization and Catechesis | TBA |
| Prayer and Worship | TBA |
| Pastoral Care | TBA |
Required Courses
Principles of Youth MinistryThis course presents the fundamental principles for developing an effective, comprehensive ministry with younger and older adolescents. Course topics include: the pastoral foundations for ministry, healthy adolescent development, family friendly youth ministry, ministry with youth in the parish, school and civic community, media awareness and multi-cultural awareness.
Developing Youth Ministry
Developing Youth Ministry deals with the skills
and processes for collaborating with a youth ministry
team and with the community to do effective youth ministry.
Course topics include: preparing and nurturing adult
and young leaders in ministry, and developing youth
ministry through a process, which includes planning,
implementing and evaluating.
Foundations of Christian Leadership
This course invites Christian leaders to look at
the principles and priorities that guide their lives.
It presents a model of principle-centered leadership
and Christian spirituality that provides tools for synchronizing
activities with principle and priorities. Participants
develop a personal mission statement and strategies
for self-care, personal renewal, leadership development
and growth in ministry.
Skills for Christian Ministry
This course addresses the theories and skills that
ministers need to work with and through people. Participants
will develop: a practical, working understanding of
leadership processes and skills necessary for empathic
communication; group dynamics and development; facilitation
of group processes; win/win negotiating and conflict
management.
Fostering the Faith Growth of Youth through Prayer
and Worship
This course investigates the role that Christian
worship and sacraments have in fostering the spiritual
growth of youth. Participants develop the theoretical
and practical skills necessary for preparing and celebrating
liturgy, prayer and worship experiences, for designing
youth retreat experiences and for fostering the prayer
life of youth. The goal of the course is to develop
a realistic, integrated, and practical approach to worship
within a comprehensive ministry to youth.
Fostering the Faith Growth of Youth through Evangelization
and Catechesis
This course explores the theological understandings
of faith discipleship and Catholic identity and a contemporary
vision and approach for evangelization and catechesis
with young people. Participants develop practical approaches,
strategies and skills for doing outreach with youth,
sharing the Good News (story-telling), creating evangelization
experiences, and designing effective learning experiences
for adolescents.
This course explores the theological and scriptural foundations for engaging young people in the work of justice and service. Participants develop the practical processes and skills for creating justice education programming, developing service and action opportunities, and nurturing the social consciousness and spirituality of young people.
Principles of Youth Ministry
This course explores the principles and methods of caring
for young people and their families. The course goals
are to equip ministers with tools for promoting healthy
adolescent development and developing preventative interventions
for families with adolescents.
An enhancement, though not a requirement of the Youth Ministry Certificate, the Chaplaincy Seminar has been designed specifically for those engaged in pastoral ministry in a school setting.
TUITION:
$400 which includes all course materials.
$250 for school board employees of Blue Card partner boards (Toronto,
Halton, York).
Inquiries and Applications
Youth Ministry brochure Fostering the Faith Growth of Youth through Pastoral Care:Canadian Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies
University of St. Michael's College
Continuing Education
Tel: 416 926 - 2247
Fax: 416 926 - 7287
Email: virginia.wilmhoff@utoronto.ca
Graduate credits are available at:
- Newman Theological College Edmonton, AB
- Assumption University, Windsor, ON
- Toronto School of Theology (apply through University
of St. Michael's College, Faculty of Theology)
Please contact the above institutions for details.