HOW TO INITIATE A VMY GROUP
Thank you for your interest in desiring to form a VMY group!
We present here this orientation document (about the manner to proceed in forming a new group) that was developed by the International Secretariat. You will find a series of general guidelines as well as some practical tools that can be utilized once the group has been formed).
How to initiate a VMY group
Orientation Document
I. General guidelines
Congratulations for taking the initiative to establish! Thus you become part of the thousands of men and women who see young people as a sign of hope for the world. As Pope Benedict XVI said to the German bishops at the conclusion of World Youth Day in 2005: “For the Church, young people constitute a living appeal to faith… we want to be a Church open to the future, rich in promises for the new generations… young in spirit… we must accept the challenges of young people” (Benedict XVI, Meeting with the German bishops, August 21, 2005).
As of now you will be part of a chain of love which began in Paris in 1830 when Sister Catherine Labouré, then a novice in the Company of the Daughters of Charity, communicated to Father Jean-Marie Aladel, CM, her spiritual director, the express command of the Virgin Mary: The most holy Virgin wishes to entrust us with a mission… establish a confraternity of young people dedicated to Mary. The fruit of this message is what we know today as the Vincentian Marian Youth.
At the beginning, it is important to understand that the birth of a VMY group can arise from very diverse circumstances. A group might begin as the result of an invitation or a calling to gather together in order to participate in a meeting or a gathering of young people; a group could also arise as the result of some particular celebration or a retreat or course… or even some pastoral outreach. There have been occasions when the group comes into existence because of the dedication of a small group of people (two or three young people) who invite others to share their experience of faith and friendship. At other times, a group might begin because of some other existing group whose members, methods and objectives need to be renewed.
To initiate a VMY group the following is needed:
- Two or more young people who desire to know Jesus Christ.
- These people desire to walk together in light of the gospel and in imitation of the Virgin Mary and Saint Vincent de Paul.
- They are willing to commit themselves to maintain a certain unity in the group in order to mature as persons.
- There must also be an adult with a mature faith experience and a conviction with regard to the Vincentian charism.
The present document wishes to propose some general guidelines that will help adults (lay or consecrated men and women) who are willing to accompany a group of young people in the experience of VMY and guide their initiatives in accord with the proposed pedagogy and organization of the Association. Thus, we offer some practical tools that will help these individuals in the realization of this task.
For the VMY, the group is a pedagogical option, a privileged environment in which faith and life are shared and the individuals (the young women and men) are accompanied by an adult person of faith. Therefore it is very important to be careful about some key aspects of this experience.
a) To respond to the concerns and interests of the members
The incorporation and perseverance of the members depends in great part on the fact that they will encounter in the group the necessary tools that will provide them with an adequate and valid response to their concerns and interests. Therefore, one must begin by offering them activities and themes that allow them to share in the group their hopes and wishes, their questions and their struggles, their experience in life, their gifts and abilities. In this way the proposed activities, the methodology to be followed in the meetings and the themes that are treated in these meetings ought to be adapted to the particular characteristics of the group: age, level of formation, culture, social context, etc. This method that begins with the reality of the young women and men is indispensable for the life of the group and is a way to guarantee the continuity of the group. Following the style of Jesus and his relations with different women and men of his time (the Samaritan woman, Nicodemus, Zacchaeus, the disciples of Emmaus, etc.) one attempts to begin with attentive observation of and loving listening to the personal situation of each person and from this perspective one then accompanies them in their experience of faith.
b) From the perspective of the values of Christian faith, one helps the members in their integral growth
A concern for youth ought to lead us to create an environment in which we can provide a group experience that helps the members in their integral growth, a growth that takes place in light of the values of Christian faith. In other words, the group ought to help young people grow as persons in every fundamental aspect: human and Christian maturity, community and ecclesial experience, Marian and Vincentian spirituality and social and missionary commitment.
Therefore one must be careful about the four basic dimensions of the life of the VMY group: community, prayer, service to those most in need and ongoing formation.
- Community
The group facilitates the creation of profound bonds of friendship among the members and allows the members to recognize on another as brother/sister and share with the other members who they are and what they have. The group will enable the members to confront together the challenges of life and will teach them to look at and discover together with others the reality in which they live. Finally, the group will enable the members to encounter their friend, Jesus of Nazareth.
- Prayer
The group should provide an initiation into a life of prayer. The members should begin to share their journey of faith and attempt to nourish and celebrate this journey together with others. Young people will open themselves to a relationship with God, to trust in God, gratitude to God and worship of God. They will learn how to clothe themselves in Jesus Christ.
- Commitment
As a group, the young men and women will learn to look at the social reality that surrounds them (family, friends, social classes, the political and economic situation, the present injustices, etc.), but they will learn to look at this reality from the perspective of those who are disadvantaged and then they will be able to respond in a creative and organized way to the cries of those who suffer. As a result of their reflections on the life of Saint Vincent de Paul, the members will learn “to see Christ in the poor and the poor in Christ”, and then they will commit themselves to the transformation of the reality that surrounds them.
- Formation
The lived experience of the group with regard to the three aspects that were previously mentioned is a basic formation that will enable the young person to grow as a human being and as a believer. Community, prayer and service on behalf of those persons who are disadvantaged will enable them to discover the need to rely on new elements and tools, to reflect together with others and to develop themselves even more fully. It is at this time that the members can be offered themes and guidance for their human and Christian formation (for example, themes such as affectivity, justice, collaboration, the person of Christ, the Church, etc.).
In the second part of this document, we offer some content that we consider basic to the formation sessions of a group that is beginning. We also include a model for annual planning that will help people discover how to integrate these four dimensions of the life of the group into the organization of activities and into the content for the ongoing formation of the members.
If you want to deepen your knowledge about this dimension of formation and the methodology of the Association, we recommend reading the document Formative Processes and Transition in VMY, published in May 2005 by the VMY International Council.
c) To invite the young people to discover the world of the poor and then to evangelize and to serve those who are poor
The VMY group arises as an experience that leads the young people to open their eyes to their own reality. The group ought to propose concrete activities that allow the members to come to a better understanding of the problems and injustices that surround them. Thus, according to their abilities and possibilities, they will be able to offer adequate and effective responses to the reality of those most in need. In this theological place of the encounter with God, young people will learn to be grateful to the Lord for the good things that they have received and at the same time, they will also learn to embrace, as their sisters and brothers, those persons who are poor. Service on behalf of those persons who are poor and service that is done as a group will strengthen the bonds of friendship and community among the members and will help them to discover the richness of the Vincentian charism.
Since the VMY is an International Association of the faithful which is recognized by the Holy See, the birth of a VMY group in the local Church must be in accord with the norms established by the Code of Canon Law (C. 285-290). In the majority of the nations, the VMY is established as a Lay Association, with special ties to the Company of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul and/or the Congregation of the Mission. That is why the establishment of a group must follow the following process:
a) In a country where VMY already exists:
To create a new group the following must be observed:
- The persons interested in establishing a new group, must:
- Speak with the person responsible for the pastoral ministry of the area and place and explain to that individual the purpose of the group. One must obtain the approval of this person.
- Once approval has been obtained, invite young men and women to join the group (convocation) and initiate the meetings and activities.
- After a period of no less than six months, redact a report of all the activities the group has done and send it the National Council asking for their accompaniment.
- At the conclusion of the first year, present a petition for admission to the National Council. This petition should include a written reference from the one responsible for the local pastoral ministry or from the local Superior (if the group is being formed at a center administered by a member of the Congregation of the Mission or the Daughters of Charity).
- If the National Council is in accord, the National Advisor (Canon 312.2) will:
- Send the act of establishment to the new group, if the group is being formed at a center administered by a member of the Daughters of Charity or the Congregation of the Mission.
- If the group is not being formed in a center administer by a member of the Daughters of Charity or the Congregation of the Mission, the National Advisor will request written approval from the Bishop. After obtaining that permission, the National Advisor will send the act of establishment to the new group.
b) In a country where VMY does not exist:
In order to create a new group, the following should be observed:
- The persons interested in forming a new group must:
- Direct themselves to the person responsible for the pastoral ministry of the place (Superior of the CM or the Sister Servant of the Daughters of Charity, the Superior of a Religious House, the Director of a Formation Center), to explain the purpose and obtain their approval.
- Once obtained, invite the youth to belong to the group (convocation) and initiate the meetings and activities.
- After a year, an activities report should be written and sent to the International Secretariat, along with the written reference from the one responsible for the pastoral ministry or from the local Superior (when the group being formed is in a center administered by a member of the Congregation of the Mission or the Daughters of Charity). The International Secretariat will then send the necessary guidelines to accompany the group, taking into account the realities of that country: presence or absence of the Vincentian Family, place where the group is being established, etc.
- After an agreed upon time and once the necessary conditions have been met, then the process of redacting and approving National Statutes for that country will commence. The requirements are the following:
- Formation of 2 or 3 groups;
- A minimum of 100 members;
- Adult advisors that share the spirit of VMY and can provide on-going formation;
- Recognition from the local hierarchy;
- Sufficient guarantees of continuance of the Association.
- Once the National Statutes are approved by the VMY Director General, a National Assembly will be convoked for the purpose of forming a VMY National Council that will be the official contact with VMY International Office.
c) Celebrate the creation of the group:
It is suggested to celebrate the life of the group at the end of the year. It should be a simple celebration with the following basic elements: songs, liturgy of the Word, some small commemorative gift, and sharing of food. As the group advances, it is recommended to mark the important moments in the life of the group with a special celebration.
All groups evolve and experience a period of growth… they pass through successive stages similar to the personal growth of individuals. Even though all of the stages are not given in an automatic and obligatory manner, it is important that the moderator know them, so that they can know what happens in the life of the group.
- Birth (initiation):
The group is born like the person is born… and in the beginning it is quite dependent on the moderator and needs much attention. In the first year, the newly established group is surprised by everything that happens. It will pronounce its first words and make its first steps with some uncertainty… it discovers that it is capable of moving and walking. The members feel good when they are all together; they want to get to know each other, to support each other, and to create their own identity as a group.
- Infancy:
Little by little, the group begins to grow, and its members begin to discover they can grow and act together. Their communication deepens and they begin to define objectives and set their sights on where they want to go. This is a time of imagination, of wonderful plans (they imitate what other groups do). They may take on certain responsibilities with great enthusiasm and then discover that they cannot accomplish what they had planned… at this stage there is little ability with regard to evaluation.
- Adolescence:
This is the moment for an integration crisis and involves a struggle for leadership, a search for a sense of group identity. In this stage, the group reaffirms or disintegrates itself. It is very important to help all the members to identify the source of crisis, to talk with one another, to give importance to the “us” rather than the “me”, to participate in activities that allow the members to live in accord with their ideals, and to look for ways to mature as a group.
- Youth:
When the crisis is overcome, the group acquires a certain stability. The group has developed a personality which is more defined and has acquired greater autonomy in relation to its moderator. The relationships among the members are deepened and the members take their commitments more seriously. The young men and women are open to the social reality, and they begin to make important options. The groups has matured and become more realistic in stating its objectives and in accepting commitments.
- Adulthood:
A youth group becomes adult when its members decide to live more intensely the experience of community and does so with objectives that are clearly defined, with good communication, with unconditional mutual acceptance and fraternal correction and with participation in a service project that is incarnated in their reality. This is the moment in which the members discover the importance of being multipliers of this experience and decide to create new groups. This is the moment when they help each other in their own vocational options.
- Death – New Life:
The group cannot last forever, it is not immortal. Once the members find their own path and make a decision with regard to their state in life, the members (who are no longer young men and women but adults) begin to disperse… and commence to give life to other environments, living in a new manner and becoming transforming agents of the realities that surround them. We are not talking about dying or disappearing, because even if the group disintegrates, paradoxically there are new life impulses, new seeds, new realities… an invitation has been extended to other young men and women and that is the way that new groups are born (the life cycle begins anew).
The responsibility of accompanying a youth group is fruit of a calling to which demands a response, a call to share faith and to make it known to future generations. That demands that we place all our gifts at the disposal of the young men and women. In this way we are able to accompany the members as they grow and achieve the objectives of the Association.
The first question that arises is certainly something like the following: Who can accompany a VMY group? We will use the word Moderator to designate the person who takes the initiative of establishing and accompanying the group. In this sense, the Moderator can be a young adult, a missionary of the Congregation, a Daughter of Charity, a priest, a Religious… any adult who knows and lives the Spirit of the Association. Their functions are:
- Motivate and strengthen the life of the group.
- Help the young men and women plan their activities (on a yearly basis).
- Procure the integration of the group into the life of the parish and the diocese.
- Inform the superior about the life of the group.
To start a group you must know the Association in such a way that the activities respond to the finality of the Association. With this in mind, we would like to suggest a list of documents that will help the Moderator of the group to know the Association and achieve the objectives that are proposed. These documents are at your disposal at the VMY International Secretariat (Manila, Philippines) and you may request these documents through email:
- VMY International Statutes.
- Role and Functions of the Advisors in VMY.
- Formation Processes and Transition in VMY.
- Final Document of the last General Assembly.
These documents, international in nature, have the advantage of offering a global vision of the Association, and can constitute a first initiation for the Moderator. In the future, the Moderators can deepen their understanding of different and here they will have recourse to various resources for further formation and information.
In the first moments of the life of the group, there is no clear distinction among the leaders. That is why we use the term Moderator to designate the person that is in front of the group when it starts to function. As the group is strengthened (stability of its members, clarity of objectives, concrete actions defined, methodology assumed, leadership roles defined) it is necessary to establish the different roles so that the members might grow.
As a general rule, it is recommended that each VMY group be accompanied by a youth Coordinator/President and an Advisor. The President is a young men or woman chosen from the group to coordinate, together with the Advisor, its activities. The Advisor has the fundamental task to accompany the process of faith education of the members of the group. The Advisor works in close collaboration with the President of the group. It is recommended that he/she be a member of the Congregation of the Mission or a Daughter of Charity. The Advisor can also be a diocesan priest, a member of a religious order, or an adult lay person who knows and lives the spirit of the association.
From its first moment, it is important to insist that the members of the group finance their own activities. To achieve the self-financing of the group, the moderator must call upon the personal responsibility of each member, inviting them to be generous at the hour of sharing their goods with others, especially with the least favored. To encourage the young men and women in this regard, you may begin with an analysis of the situation of the group, responding to the following questions:
- What is the social economic situation of the members? How much can each one give to economically sustain the group?
- In the immediate environment, what persons could in the first instance, could provide financial support to the group?
- What factors in the social environment will make more difficult or facilitate the search for financial resources?
- What concrete activities can the members plan that will enable them to gather together the funds needed for their activities and their projects on behalf of the poor?
If you desire to further deepen your understanding of this aspect, we invite you to read two documents published by the International Team about the financial matters of the Association:
From these documents, the key ideas that one should be mindful of are the following:
- The members of the VMY are responsible for contributing to the financial support of the Association (on a local, national and international level).
- The necessary funds for the activities of the Association and those needed to attend to the poor must be procured through the creativity and the perseverance of the members.
- No one is so poor that they cannot contribute something to the life and the activities of the group.
Suggestions for concrete activities
- Simple short-term activities:
- Selling articles of interest at significant feasts: postcards, handmade gifts, cakes or candies made by the members or their family. These articles can be sole in a flea market at the parish or at the center, etc.
- Raffles.
- Activities that require some initial investment and more organization:
- Put on a theatrical production.
- Organize a flea market, a concert, sports competition, etc.
- Develop a project and submit it to a benefactor or institution interested in collaborating with youth or with the poor.
- Create a small and permanent business that will become a continuous source of income for the group: a small garden, some means of public transportation (motor, taxi, bus, etc), a small store, a cyber café, etc.
A recommendation: any activity for self-financing must be in compliance with the proper legislation of your country or city. It is important to get information and to raise funds within the limits established by the law. Don’t forget that VMY is a non-Profit Association.
At the start of the VMY group, the Moderator can rely on some valuable help:
a) The VMY National Council
It is the coordinating team of the VMY activities in a determined country. Having contact with this team, you can get some guidelines and help in the formation of the Moderator and its members, the planning and development of the activities of the group, and its official recognition. The International Secretariat can offer more information with regard to the manner to contact the VMY National Council in your country.
b) The VMY International Secretariat
Created in 1999, it is an executive organ of VMY International, whose mission consists of encouraging and coordinating the worldwide Association, trying to create exchanges of information among the members countries, offering human and Christian formation to its members and supporting various projects of evangelization and service on behalf of the most needy members of society.
Postal Address:
Vincentian Marian Youth
International Secretariat
Marian Center Building | 959 San Marcelino Street | Ermita, Manila 1000, Philippines
Telephone:+63 272 176 465 | +63 917 623 6172
Email: info@jmvinter.org
Webpage: www.jmvinter.org
c) The Vincentian Family
In the countries where there is a branch of the Vincentian Family, this can be a great help to deepen the Vincentian charism and to organize and/or participate in joint activities and projects on behalf of the poor.
The Webpage for the International Family is: www.famvin.org
We hope that these reflections will help you achieve a global vision of the VMY. These are guidelines that can help you fulfill your role as Moderator of a group that embarks upon its journey in the Association. Any questions that you want answered, please do not hesitate to consult the International Secretariat. We will promptly respond to your calls or messages.
It is important that you have etched in your mind and heart the words of Saint Catherine Labouré to Fr. Aladel, the words that we referenced at the beginning of this document: “The Blessed Virgin wants to entrust you with a mission… the establishment of a confraternity of Marian youth”. This means that through the love of the Virgin, a youth group is to be created that has Mary as its Mother and Teacher. Members of these groups will come to discover Jesus in the poor and to serve them in the Church and in the society. As you commence this experience as Moderator, we invite you to remember reflect on the compassionate gaze of Jesus as he looked upon the people who followed him, “they were like sheep without a pastor” (Matthew 9:36). Be bold in responding to the call of Mary and receive the young men and women who, though you, seek the One who is “the Way, the Truth and the Life” (John 14:6). In the same way that the projects and the organization of the Association are a priority, so also we must prioritize the movement of our heart so that it becomes enflamed through contact with the Word of God. In this way you will be able to minister to that small portion of the Church that God has entrusted to you. Jesus today tells you, “Put out into the deep sea” (Luke 5:4), and you will discover that “with the youth, you will never accomplish all you want to do but what is done, will never be lost”.
Move forward, because “the one who chose you will never leave you” (Dt 31:8). He will accompany you in this beautiful and passionate mission “all of days till the end of the world” (Mt 28:20).
II. Practical tools
Criteria
Under this ambitious title, we provide some guidelines for organizing the life of the group.
We should remember that this planning process must be in accord with the situation of the group. The models presented below may not fit your group exactly, but they will allow you to better understand the path to be followed.
The main criteria to be considered when planning with the members of the group are:
- Develop activities promoting mutual understanding, unity and friendship among the members of the group, so that they may value all the things that bring them together and accept the differences as a source of great value.
- Offer solid content, keeping in mind the objective of the Association as well as the needs and interests of the members.
- Take into account the life of the Church —specifically, the parish and society: feasts, significant events, etc.; help the members to discover their identity as a group.
- Monitor the progress of the group and the members from the perspective previously mentioned: friendship, prayer, service and formation.
- Establish clear objectives with the group, taking into account any youth plan of the Diocese where the group is established.
Strong experiences during the initiation of the group
The life of the group is developed through meetings, catechesis and other activities carried out by the members together with their Moderator. Throughout this course of action, the members should be offered strong and far-reaching experiences that will provide cohesion to the group and strengthen their encounter with Jesus Christ and with the poor. These experiences will increase in depth and intensity as the members advance in the process of maturing as persons and as believers.
At the conclusion of the development phase of the group, its members should have undergone the following experiences: the experience of friendship, the experience of being close to God through Jesus Christ, the experience of a festive and healthy celebration as a group, and the experience of solidarity with the most needy members of society.
Thematic proposal for a year
The thematic proposal serves as a guide for the content of meetings and activities to be developed throughout the year.
Example:
Theme for the year (proposed by the International Secretariat or the National Council)
Period September – December:
- Topic: “Love one another with a profound love” (Rom 2,10; Jn 13,34).
- General Objective: Develop an experience of friendship in the group.
- Contents: Know oneself and others. Express and understand your own feelings.
Period January – March:
- Topic: “Jesus summoned his followers who came and joined him” (Mk 3,14).
- General Objective: Discover Jesus’ call to follow Him, with other brothers and sisters in the faith.
- Contents: Initiation of the group as a community of faith. Following Jesus Christ: calling to a new life.
Period april-june:
- Topic: “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil 4,4).
- General Objective: Accept the Word of God as the good news for our lives.
- Contents: Initiation of a personal and community reading of the Word of God The Magnificat, a song of joy provides us with a way to deal with negative feelings.
Period July – August:
- Topic: “He has sent me to bring Good News to the poor” (Lk 4,18).
- General Objective: To be living signs of the love of God in serving the poor.
- Contents: Experience of serving the poor. To be witness to Christ in word and action. A current topic.
Example of an annual work schedule (chronogram)
The annual or quarterly programming should be a flexible practice and should be done according to the needs and progress of the group. It is prepared according to the annual theme, as well as the liturgical seasons and activities anticipated at the parochial and association level.
The group should ensure that planning include activities which break up the routine of periodical meetings and strengthen it. These are actions that are planned in such a manner so as enhance the progress of the group and thus, serve as an incentive: a party at the beginning of the sessions and/or a camping at the end; an invitation to other young men and women during each course. The following project is intended to be both integral and integrating.
Example:
Period September – December:
- Slogan: “Love one another with a deep love” (Rom 2,10; Jn 13,34).
- Events/activities:
- Weekly meetings*.
- Picnic or sports activity (beginning).
- Preparation of the manger (or Bethlehem) by the group.
- Parish Christmas Party.
Period January – March:
- Slogan: “Jesus summoned his followers who came and joined him” (Mk 3,14).
- Events/activities:
- Weekly meetings*.
- Prepare and celebrate the Eucharist as a group.
- Visit to an orphanage (or a soup kitchen).
Period April – June:
- Slogan: “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil 4,4).
- Events/activities:
- Weekly meetings*.
- Excursion Games.
- Party at the end of the course.
Period July – August:
- Slogan: “He has sent me to bring Good News to the poor” (Lk 4,18).
- Events/activities:
- Celebration at the end of the course.
- Personal commitments of group members.
*Catechesis is part of the weekly meetings. Its contents are not provided in detail. Each quarter, the number of meetings will be determined in accord with other anticipated activities.
Basic suggestions for a meeting
Proper preparation of the meeting is very important. Content and development depend on the moment, objectives of the ministry, and many other factors. However, it may be stated that all group meetings should include the following elements:
- An objective and content, often related to the chronogram and the annual theme.
- Time to share everyday living experiences (happy events, problems, concerns).
- Specific activities (recommend that you specify duration, a brief description and necessary human, material or economic resources).
- Time for an encounter with God (brief prayer, reading of the Scriptures, a song or hymn for meditation, etc.). Prayer should be a part of every meeting, at the beginning as part of the motivation and/or at the end as a summary.
- A very brief moment for an evaluation, with a specific commitment that the members will fulfill.
Additionally, it is important that we not confuse the meeting of the group with catechesis. Catechesis is a space or period of formation intended to delve into the evangelical message for the purpose of teaching the faith or for developing some aspect of group life. It consists of four periods: starting with a life experience, enlightening it through the Gospel, drawing applications and establish practical commitments. To this effect, catechesis can be a part of the group meeting.
In order to have a good group meeting, the following rules should be followed:
- Develop a family environment; monitor the site, the beginning of the meeting, etc. (especially in the first phases).
- Establish the duration of the meeting and adhere to it, unless the members themselves decide to extend it.
- Support listening and participation of all and encourage the more quiet members.
- Recall the message of the previous meeting in order to help the young people perceive the continuity of proposed activities.
- When possible, initiate joint responsibility in planning and preparation of the meeting as well as its evaluation.
It is essential that the beginning of the course be well developed:
- Begin with an activity (a party, a camp…) as motivation for the first year.
- Begin by becoming acquainted with and getting to know the situation of each member: Dynamics for our own self-awareness which help with interiorizing values, dynamics for coming to know members of the group, activities fostering the encounter, friendship and group-sharing.
- Determine the pace of the meetings according to members of the group. Recommended minimum is one meeting a month, but it might be more convenient to organize a weekly meeting to maintain group cohesion, especially when the group begins its activities. Emphasis should be placed on the four dimensions of the life of the group: community, prayer, formation and service to the poor.
The following are examples of group meetings. These are patterned on previous indications and offer a catechesis on the various aspects of group life: community, prayer, formation and service to the poor:
- To know myself and my colleagues;
- To know Jesus of Nazareth;
- To discover VMY;
- An encounter with the poor.
Each catechetical lesson is developed in accord with the following outline:
- Life experience;
- Enlightenment through the Word of God;
- Application;
- Practical commitment.
I. To get to know myself and my colleagues
Prayer: Hail Mary, full of grace; Psalm 70 You, O Lord, were my hope from my youth; Hymn.
Objective: Promote awareness of ourselves and develop self-esteem. Promote a sense of belonging to the group and of friendship among the members and his/her colleagues.
Development of the activity:
Life experience:
Members draw or write in the form of a story (if certain discomfort in using decorative art is noted) whatever represents themselves (suggest that they identify themselves with an element of nature, with an object used in school, with an article, or that they describe a fantastic character or a characteristic of their personality…). Work individually for 10 minutes. Each person turns in his sheet to the Moderator without writing down his name. The Moderator will mix them up regardless of when they were turned in. Each anonymous work will be commented on in the group and the characteristics of the unknown author will be analyzed. Finally, the names of the authors will be revealed and the group will give their true opinion of the colleague in question. The activity helps to strengthen group relationships and to develop each member’s confidence.
Enlightenment through the Gospel:
- “Do not call anyone on earth your father. Only one is your father, the One in heaven… and you are all brothers and sisters” (Mt 23,8-9). Let us learn to love each other as brothers and sisters, since He does not consider one child of God to be more or less important than another.
- “I have come to call, not the self-righteous, but sinners” (Mt 9,9-13). Jesus invites his disciples to follow him. Each day he sends his invitation to us, his friends. He accepts us as we are, with all our flaws. Like Matthew, do we know how to respond to Jesus’ call? Are we aware of our uniqueness and of the fact that the Lord sees each one of us as his children?
In practice…:
What is your day like? Describe your workday and comment on your personal tastes: food, television programs, music, fashion… Are we all alike? Are there better or worst likes? Describe several lifestyles and the diversity of each brother/sister, starting with the everyday experience of the members. Despite the differences in our lifestyles, we are all children of God and we are all called to follow Him. Reflection: by attending this meeting you have already responded to his first call.
Commitment:
Fill out a simple personal questionnaire that will be kept in the meeting room (important personal data, pastimes, qualities, etc.).
Closing prayer: Psalm 145 The Happiness of those who hope in God; Hymn to the Virgin.
II. Getting to know Jesus of Nazareth
Prayer: A song; Prayer to the Virgin; Psalm 141.
Summary of the previous meeting: What topics have we discussed? What was the objective? What have we learned?
Objective: To promote a strengthening the faith of each member. After discovering that we are all brothers and sisters, children of God (topic discussed at the previous meeting), now let us become more acquainted with Jesus.
Development of the activity:
Life experience:
What does Jesus mean to you? Describe a time in your life when you felt that you had found Jesus.
Enlightenment through the Gospel:
Reflect on these two Gospels passages:
- “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he had finished, one of his disciples asked him: ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples’. He said to them, ‘When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your Name, your Kingdom come’” (Lk 11,1-4). Watching Jesus pray, the disciples ask Him to teach them how to pray. They were used to the formal and pompous “formulas” of the rabbis and Pharisees. The simple prayer that He taught them condenses the entire experience of the true Christian faith.
- “Rising early the next morning, Jesus went off to a lonely place in the desert; there he was absorbed in prayer” (Mk 1,35-39). Jesus rises early to pray. He puts prayer ahead of everything else.
a) Describe Jesus’ attitude toward his disciples, people, and prayer.
b) Focus on three important aspects of Jesus’ life (For example, do they coincide with prayer, the miracles and the proclamation of the Kingdom of God?).
c) With your colleagues, dramatize a parable or an event in the Gospel that has drawn your attention. What message does it convey?
In practice…:
Reflect on one of your priorities; does prayer fit in? How does Jesus contribute something to your everyday life? Do you find time during the day to seek, pray and listen to God?
Commitment: Begin Reading the Gospel according to Saint Mark.
Closing prayer: Our Father; final hymn.
III. Discovering the VMY
Prayer: Hail Mary, full of grace, Psalm 132.
Summary of the previous meeting: Try to summarize the two previous meetings in two phases: first, community; second, faith.
Objective: Promote interest in learning more about the VMY, who are their members, their promoters and their objectives.
Development of the activity:
Life experience:
- Brainstorming: without reflecting too much, participants will shout out words related to the reason why they are participating in the VMY (for example: a call, invitation, friends, project of the Virgin, diversion…). A colleague will write on the blackboard the words stated by other participants. At the end, the moderator will ask participants to classify each word into categories: Faith/spirituality, friendship/diversion. Any classification with the least number of elements will require an in-depth review.
- Examine the name of our Association: ‘Vincentian Marian Youth’. What does it mean? Present the four characteristics of the VMY: Ecclesial, Lay, Marian and Vincentian.
- What tasks are the members of the Association required to perform? Formation, Service, Catechesis, Mission.
Enlightenment through the Gospel and Vincentian text:
- “(Jesus) summoned his followers, who came and joined him”. (Mk 3,13).
- “In turn he said to the disciple: “There is your mother”. (Jn 19,27).
- “The Virgin Mary wants you to establish an association where you will be the founder and director; it will be an association of Mary’s Youth, to which the Holy Mother will grant many graces”. [Cf. LAURENTIN René, Catherine Labouré et la Médaille Miraculeuse (1), 357].
In practice…: Reflection: In your opinion, what is the most important task that a VMY must accomplish?
Commitment: Read a brief account of the life of St. Catherine, or visit the VMY international website.
Closing prayer: Hail Mary, full of grace; Psalm 125, God, joy and our hope. Hymn.
IV. An encounter with the poor
Prayer: Opening hymn; Prayer to the Virgin (Jn 13,34-35)
Summary of the previous meeting: Up to this point, we have focused on knowing each other better, building a ‘family’ where brother and sisters can live together; we have discovered the simplicity of Jesus’ prayer, as well as St. Vincent’s devotion to the poor. Having engaged in an important aspect of the journey of a VMY, let us discuss service.
Objective: Discover, through contact with the poor, the most enriching part of every Christian’s experience.
Development of the activity:
Life experience:
What does service mean? In your opinion, who are the ‘poor’?
If it is true, as St. Vincent De Paul said, that “love is inventive to the infinity”, try to be creative and find an alternate idea for helping the poor in your neighborhood, town or city.
Enlightenment through the Gospel:
- “I give you a new commandment: Love one another. Such as my love has been for you, so must your love be for each other. This is how all will know you for my disciples: Your love for one another…” (Jn 13,34-35).
- “I was ill and in prison and you did not come to comfort me…” (Mt 25).
- “The harvest is rich, but the workers are few…” (Lk 10,2).
- “In serving the poor we serve Jesus Christ” (CCD:IX:252).
In practice…:
Have you ever participated in a service project or served as a volunteer? Share an experience of service rendered, either in a school project, or in an association to which you are a member, or in your everyday life.
Commitment: Participate in the activity of group service.
Closing prayer: Prayer to St. Vincent.
The term ‘group techniques’ or ‘games’ has a very important role in our work with young people.
a) They help to create an environment that encourages young people to attend the proposed activities.
b) They help the members to become better acquainted with one another and to break down interpersonal barriers.
c) They may be used to create an environment in which the members learn by becoming involved and from personal experience itself. For example, many of these games may be used to help the members understand the importance of working together, to listen attentively, or to allow others to help them, etc.
We propose some simple techniques that may be helpful in creating a good environment in the group. You may find many more examples on the Internet or in books on group techniques.
In order to form work or play groups
Animals
Objective: To form random groups.
Development:
Each participant is given a paper with the name of an animal (the number of animals will depend on the number of groups you wish to form), when all participants have their animal, they begin to imitate the sound of the animal, seeking their peers.
The shipwreck
Objective: For large meetings or groups where it is more convenient to form mixed and heterogeneous groups. Form small groups, but make certain that the people are mixed.
Development:
The moderator will determine prior conditions to be established: men and/or women, as well as adults and/or young people, some wearing eyeglasses, etc., but not from the same group or city.
He tells them that this is the case or the history of a shipwreck and lifeboats must be formed under the above conditions, and that in the boats they should:
- Learn the names of the shipwrecked.
- Where they were born.
- To what group or institution they belong.
- Give a name to the boat, etc.
Simulate a choppy sea and give the order to form the boats. (10’)
Form the boats and work on learning names. (20’)
Presentation of the boats, if necessary, at the plenary session.
Icebreaking technique
Jumbled basket
Materials: an open or closed site, individual chairs, a group of young people who are anxious to have fun.
Development:
The director will give the instructions.
- When a person is given the word ‘apple’, he/she will answer by calling the name of the person seated to his/her left, and when given the word ‘pear’, he/she will answer by calling the name of the person to his/her right.
- When the director calls ‘jumbled basket’, everyone will change places.
A person who is slow in saying the name, or makes a mistake, or does not change places, will lose. That person will then direct the game.
Conclusion:
This game will allow us to know most of the names of the participants in an amusing manner, aside from the fact that every time a person changes place, he/she will necessarily start up a quick conversation to learn the name of his two immediate neighbors.
Learning to work as a team
Two or three teams are formed, with a maximum of 10 persons; a team can also be made up of men or women. Each team is given a list of 10 things to find in the room they are in, either nearby or far from the place (for example: 1 glass, 1 earring, 1 dried leaf, 1 ant, etc.).
Afterwards, the leader must give instructions to begin and they agree on and read what they are asked to look for and run to find it.
The team that gathers all the objects first is the winner. Prior to this, two or three chairs should be arranged, depending on the number of teams, so that each team may set the objects it collects on that chair.
It is lots of fun to watch everyone running all over the place to collect the objects as quickly as possible, and since they usually do not agree on what each team member should look for, it turns out that most times all the team members look for the same object at the same time.
You will see that the young people will have a good time and will get along well.
Techniques on the Bible
Who am I
In order to do this dynamic, the group must have at least five members.
The first person thinks of a biblical character, for example: Abraham. He/she looks at the person beside him/her and gives him/her a clue or a characteristic of this person. In the case of Abraham, he/she might say: “He had a strong faith” and waits to see if the other person can guess who the character is. Otherwise, he can provide another clue.
Once they have guessed who the character is, the winner does the same thing to the next participant.
To promote confidence and a more profound exchange among the members
Computers
Objective: Begin the consolidation of the group by sharing information with the players. The objectives of this type of technique are:
- Promote an extended environment and participation.
- Support communication and exchange.
- Obtain a higher degree of confidence and awareness of oneself, of others and of the group itself.
Participants: This technique is carried out with groups of all ages.
Time: Depends on the moderator, who proposes similarities between the participants; the approximate duration is between 10 – 15 minutes.
Materials: No materials are necessary.
Place: You should have a large space, a room, outdoors, etc. so that ‘the computers’ may meet with their peers.
Development: The entire group becomes involved in the role of an arranger, and as such they will transmit messages. They will walk around the room, transmitting the message: “BIT, BIT…” while walking around they converse with their colleagues and look for the similarities suggested by the moderator. For example, astrological signs, favorite color, favorite food, etc. This helps us to form groups.
Comments: All group participants will comment on the dynamics, will ask questions to see if the participants liked it, how they felt, if they thought it was fun; if the reaction was not a positive one, we will listen to the reason for this.
The confident parachutist
Objectives:
- Create an environment of expansion, harmony and confidence within the group.
- Place each participant in a situation of having to trust colleagues.
Participants: This type of activity may be carried out with all types of groups, from children to teenagers and even adults.
Time: The duration of the activity is relative, although it may take approximately from 10 to 15 minutes.
Materials: Material resources are not required for this activity.
Place: The activity may be carried out in open as well as closed spaces, and does not require a very large space.
Procedure: Group participants form two lines standing up (one in front of the other) with extended arms. There should be enough space so that the person falling on the arms of the components of the lines does not hit the ground.
Another participant, from a higher position where the lines are formed, will throw himself into the arms of the group members. These will grab the participant who threw himself so that he will not fall on the ground. This participant should be fully confident of his colleagues, knowing that they will prevent him from falling.
Comments: All group members will comment on the activity, will think about how we felt, if we liked it, if we thought it was fun, etc.
For conflict resolution
Cat and mouse
Objectives:
- To experience feelings of empathy toward others.
- Place yourself in the other person’s position.
- It may serve to talk about values.
Participants: The number of participants has not been determined. This activity may be carried out with all types of groups, from adolescents on, adapting it to their needs (adolescents, youths, adults).
Time: Approximately 20 minutes.
Materials: No materials are necessary.
Place: This technique may be carried out in either open or closed spaces; it should be a spacious and quiet place.
Procedure: The moderator asks group members to close their eyes and to concentrate. He/she then tells a story about the ‘cat and mouse’. The story goes like this:
“We enter a house, it is very large, huge; then we become a mouse and everything surrounding us seems to be immense”. What are our feelings?
“When we run into a cat and it wants to eat us, just as it is about to take the first bite, we become the cat, and the cat turns into a mouse”. What are my thoughts and feelings as a cat when I run into the mouse?
Once the activity is over, we will all reflect on the experience:
How to experience empathy? What should be our attitude in situations of conflict?
Comments: This is a psychodrama with a mediator to focus on the problems. It is important that the mechanics of the technique serve for practicing social skills and conflict resolution.
To evaluate the group
A poem set to music
Objectives:
- Conduct an evaluation of the group.
- Determine which anecdotes have drawn the most attention.
Participants: Children and young people in groups where the number of participants is not excessive.
Time: An approximate time has not been determined.
Materials: A sheet of paper and a ballpoint pen for writing down the song.
Place: Spacious so that all group members will be comfortable.
Procedure: The words of a known song are modified so as to include the most significant anecdotes that have occurred throughout the year (after the song has been composed, the participants will sing this song).
Comments: All group members will comment on the activity, will reflect on how we felt, if we liked it, if it was fun; if it was not, we will try to find out why.
What emotion or mood do you identify yourself with now?
Objectives:
- Determine the mental state of the group at a given time.
- Evaluate how the group is doing.
Participants: The number of participants has not been determined. This activity can be carried out with all types of groups, especially adolescents.
Time: Approximate duration is 15 minutes.
Materials: A folder with different faces, representing the different moods.
Place: It may take place in open or closed spaces.
Procedure: The moderator hands out a page with different faces matching different moods. Subsequently, he/she will ask, one by one, who in the group identifies himself/herself with the different moods to which the moderator is pointing.
Comments: It is good to comment about what occurs since it may be helpful in regard to the different types of feelings (How have we felt?). Brainstorming…
- Do not forget to take pictures of the group activities. Show them in the meeting place or in the parish. Allow them to decorate and make attractive things with the pictures. These pictures can be posted on the various social networks, but this should be done only after having obtained permission from the parents of the members. These pictures should also be shared with the National Council and the International Secretariat.
- Build up the self-esteem of the members, encouraging them up when they are alone as well as when they are with friends. Try to say something positive to each member.
- Use the instant messenger in order to maintain contact with the group. Send a message to the members at the time of their birthday; write words of encourage and remind the members about events and activities that are proper to the group and/or parish.
- Conduct periodic surveys. In doing so, their interests will become known and activities can be planned accordingly.
- Meet with other youth leaders from the area. If this kind of meeting does not exist, organize it and use this gathering as an opportunity to share ideas and problems. Such a group can become a source of collaboration and support.
- Never ignore the interruptions during the meeting… when this occurs, recognize it because this is the best way to regain the attention of the group.
- Avoid making promises to the parents that you cannot achieve to parents. Only promise to do your best and to maintain communication with them.
- Share with the youth outside the time of meetings – leisure, walks, trips, etc. This will help the leader to become ever more familiar with the current culture of youth.
- At the end of each meeting, give the members an opportunity to reflect and to express their opinion about what they experience during the meeting. Ask them to write down or to share in small groups their experience (they might begin their sharing with the phrase: “Today I learned…”.
- Avoid meeting in places that are too big for the group, smaller meeting places help to create an informal and comfortable environment for the meeting.
- Encourage the members to develop a bulletin at the end of the year (or during the year). This should include pictures and articles about the activities that were done during the year. Said bulletin can become a positive reminder of the accomplishments of the group. It would also be good to create and maintain files that record the life of the group.
- Prepare carefully the content and material for each meeting.
- If the group is small, invite other groups in participate in some events. This will help to strengthen the sense of membership in the group.
- Resolve problems as they arise. Do not wait for them to disappear by themselves.
- Organize a ‘chain’ to publicize the events in which the group participates. If there are 10 young people, then each one could contact ten other people and thus, in the course of one evening 100 young people could be contacted. Personal contact is always the most effective means of communication.
- If the group (or the parish) does not have a good library for young people, take the initiative to establish one and make sure that it continues to grow through the support of other collaborators (moderators of other youth groups, parents, friends, etc.).
- Allow the members to elect some adults who will act as sponsors or advisors. It is easier to work with adults who know they were chosen by the young men and women.
- Offer to collaborate in events and activities organized by the parish or the local community. Most schools need help during dances, assemblies, sporting events, etc.
- Meet regularly with volunteers who collaborate in the motivation of the group, that is, collaborate during times of prayer, formation and recreation.
- During the week, take a moment to review the meetings and the activities of the group.
- Arrive early at the meetings in order to greet the young men and women and their parents… for the same reason, stay in place after the meeting has concluded.
- Develop programs that reflect the needs, the interests and the levels of energy of the members of the group (the meetings should not be directed toward the wants and needs of the adults that work with the group).
- When some significant event is about to take place, take the necessary time to prepare for that event.
- Organize a dinner with foreign students so that they can share about their live and speak about some of the differences in their culture.
- Plan activities to be carried out by the members at the most appropriate times.
- Develop realistic goals and expectations (the harvest is at the end of time, not at the end of the meeting). Avoid depending on immediate results to determine success or the failure. Lasting results arrive later, often much later.
- Create bonds of friendship within the Christian community.
- Establish a meeting schedule that facilitates the participation of the members.
- Anticipate things. Never use a video you have not previously watched and never invite a speaker you have not heard… this will avoid unpleasant surprises.
- Meet the parents of the members and learn their names.
- Take time to read new books every year. Try to read a book about youth ministry and time management and some aspect of theology. Become familiar with the formation documents of the Association … take the time for on-going formation.
- Avoid isolating the group. Encourage the members to become involved with the parish life, not only with the group. They might participate in some ministry with children or the elderly or collaborate in liturgical celebrations or other parish activities.
- Do not be afraid of smiling and laughing.
- Visit the members of the group in their home… much useful information can be obtained through such visits.
- Develop leaflets or pamphlets that describe the group and its activities. Forward them to the parents and to young people who are not familiar with the group… include pictures, schedules and meeting places.
- Organize at least two retreats per year. They are wonderful opportunities to continue to develop the prayer life of the members.
- Relax and let the young men and women be young men and women … they are not adults, so do not expect them to act as such.
- Never cancel an event or a meeting because only a few members are participating. Learn how to adapt to the situation and make those who are present for any event feel as though they are very important and needed.
- Get familiar with the music the young listen to. Discuss with the members the use of the media (tv, radio, internet, social media platforms).
- Take a first aid course and invite the member to do the same.
- Keep a list of professional contacts and when necessary do not hesitate to encourage a member to seek professional assistance.
- Work as a volunteer in a local social center that works with children, young people or the elderly. Invite one of the members to accompany you.
- Look for information and material that deals with youth ministry. You may not use all the material, but this will be available to you when needed.
- Create a ‘theatre warehouse’ full of costumes, clothes and props for the production of plays and dramas. Invite the parish community to donate clothing and accessories. A thrift shop or second-hand store is also a good resource.
- Let the members know the time during which you are available. Do not give the impress that you are too busy and have no time for the members.
- When the young help you with a game in front of the group, do not make fun of them or ridicule them. Use activities to edify them, make them feel as useful and needed and not useless.
- Have a hobby or a special interest. Learn to play a musical instrument, practice a new sport or learn a new language.
- Do not feel the need to do everything yourself… learn to delegate and to work as a team.
- Always prepare a program or activity that can be used in case of emergency. It will be very useful when an invited speaker does not appear or when the video that was planned to be shown does not work.
- Ask the adults of the parish to ‘adopt a young man or woman’ and to pray for him/her regularly. This can also be done among the members of the group.
- Take time to select some images and/or positive messages and place them in the meeting place. Such images and messages can be used to illustrate and explain a theme.
- Be careful with quiet individuals… Give them your time and attention as you do with the more extroverted members of the group.
- Occasionally invite the parish priest to the group’s activity… this will enable him to observe and know the program. At the same time, this enables the members to meet the priest and also allows for an exchange of ideas.
- Teach the members, through example, how to be leaders.
- Keep the parents well informed. Publish a Bulletin for the parents and organize meetings for questions and feedback. The lack of communication with parents can negatively impact pastoral activity.
- Develop a description of the activities that the volunteer leaders are going to carry out. Make sure they know exactly what it is expected from them. Provide them with the necessary resources to fulfill their tasks.
- Make sure each meeting or activity is well organized. This will make the members feel important and will reduce discipline problems.
- Foster creativity in the members, having brain-storming sessions and allow the ideas to flow without criticizing them … evaluate the ideas only after the listing of ideas has been completed.
- Avoid using religious vocabulary and well-worn phrases. Say what you think in words the members can understand.
- If it is possible, create a group on Whatsapp or some other social media platform which will allow for on-going communication among the members. Create a list that will facilitate sharing information about events and activities.
- When some young members have obvious problems, e.g. in their figure, weight or personality, do not presume that someone is helping them.
- Use personal examples when sharing with the members… abstract ideas need concrete examples to give live to the message.
- Never use a formation program without adapting it to the group’s needs. People who write these programs do not know the members of the group… you do.
- Do not worry about the numerical growth of the group… size is not the same as success… quality is better than quantity.
- If you have an appropriate space, display pictures of the members of the group, classical postcards, and other things that the members like to collect. This will be helpful to get to know each other better.
- Do not take your circumstances or yourself so seriously. Not all things are as good or bad as you think.
- Be able to say ‘I don’t know’. Young people will listen to you better when you can admit that you really do not know everything.
- Always double-check any booking for the group the day before the event (especially when transportation is involved).
- Avoid double standards, that is, one regulation for the leaders and another for the members. The rules that apply to the members should apply to the leaders.
- Solve the problems by addressing root causes and not symptoms. Instead of discussing the bad behavior of an individual, find out the cause and deal with it.
- Attend leaders’ formation sessions at least once a year, or participate in a seminar addressed to youth ministers… never think you have learned everything.
- Do not make threats or promises you cannot fulfill.
- Be mindful of useful items you may suddenly need: first-aid box, sewing material, toys, etc.
- Make sure you can rely on at least one other person that occasionally works with the group.
- Offer some soft drinks at some meetings or activities. It is something relatively easy to do and the members will enjoy this… members may remain longer after the meeting/activity and come to know one another better.
- Take advantage of any opportunity to share some film with the members and then discuss the film.
- Do not worry about cliques… it is better to give the members the opportunity to interact and to know each other.. trying to break cliques is a fruitless negative exercise.
- Keep a file on each member. Collect personal and familiar information, such as birthdays, pictures, interview notes or personal advisory, comments and any other information. Keep it confidential. This will enhance your service and it will be useful for your successor.
- When trying to improve parochial life, begin with yourself.
- Avoid counseling members of the opposite sex in a private place. The best way to prevent rumors and misunderstandings is to talk with the person in a public place where others can see you.
- Maintain a journal of the pastoral activity of the group. Write about and evaluate on a weekly basis the various activities. Describe the interaction you had with the members and reflect upon those interactions. This will enable you to organize your thoughts and to document important events.
- Surround yourself with other adults who can support you. You need to be supported and supervised by somebody.
- Schedule a planning meeting with the leaders and the members… insist on working together as a team.
- Watch together some significant sporting event and allow the members to invite others to watch the game. This is a good way to bring non-Christian young men and women closer to the Church.
- If there are young people who play a musical instrument, allow them to play at some celebration. This will build their confidence and their leadership.
- Visit the schools of the members. If it is possible, introduce yourself to the principal, the teachers and the coaches. Let them know who you are.
- Learning the names of the members of the group must be a priority. You will never be a pastoral agent for them until you know them and remember their names.
- Avoid disciplining the young in front of their friends. It is better to deal with discipline problems in private and one on one.
- Always visit the places you want to book for a group’s activity. Inform yourself about the flexibility, extra costs and be aware of the ability of the group to pay for ‘extras’.
- When discussing matters in the meeting, refrain from making very positive or negative comments when they are expressing their opinions. Keep yourself as neutral as possible to encourage their openness and honesty.
- Learn to say ‘no’. Spend time with your family and friends and develop your own interests… do not neglect your personal growth.
- Occasionally organize a meeting with other pastoral agents. This provides them with the opportunity to learn about the group and at the same time will create an environment for cooperation.
- Know what programs young people are watching on television and/or on the internet. Discuss and evaluate with them the most popular programs.
- Get a calendar where you can make visible the activities of the group for the year. If you do not know where you are going, then most probably you will never arrive anywhere.
- Learn to listen and learn to keep quiet. Listen and you will see that you can be more supportive.
- Involve the youth group in at least one service project per year. These projects not only give the members an opportunity to positively contribute to life, but also makes them aware of the world’s reality and enables them to deepen their understanding of their shared charism.
- Stage a play every year. This gives young people the chance to use their talents.
- Begin a social outreach program and from the beginning, involve young men and women.
- Be an example for the young people. Take every opportunity to share with them different aspects of your life.
- Do not try to be ‘one of the young’. If you are an adult, be an adult. Just be an adult who loves young people and who knows how to have fun.