Thank you to those who sent responses to the youth ministry survey! As this parish conversation continues, I invite you to call or email the parish staff at any time. (Staff page link).

As we start to ruminate on the survey responses, and on our situation and opportunities, we will begin to share some of the notable response results. Even now, however, I wish to say a few things about youth ministry in our parish.
I state the absolute obvious that we will indeed make concerted efforts to speak to our youth: to have evangelical, catechetical, devotional, and even recreational activities happening in the parish for youth.
Here is an ongoing request which is foundational for anything we do at any time. “Let us pray!” Please pray for our families with children. We do pray for the Christian virtues of our youth. We pray for our families who are our neighbors, who have any kind of attachment to the Catholic faith, whether they be already devout, or lukewarm and complacent about God’s presence in life. 
In addition to prayer, we need activity. Not all activities that incorporate and integrate youth into parish life need to be “programmatic.” But in as much as programmatic activities are often advisable and desirable as additions to the private devotional lives of parish families, dedicated parish volunteers or employees need to make a concerted effort for these programs to happen. In this regard I am currently deliberating the decision of whether a standalone youth minister could be hired for the parish. As far as typical youth ministry jobs go, it seems beyond the reasonable financial means of the parish to try to offer a full-time position, with benefits, to attract a young-adult youth minister for the job. It is, however, also questionable whether anyone with the theological or catechetical experience suitable for youth ministry would be interested in a part-time position, although I am certainly open to looking for candidates for such a plan. The third alternative is simply to seek the overall build-up of parish staff and volunteer help, supporting a culture in which our families themselves generate their own ministry for their children within the parish. We are certainly open to supporting parent lead youth activities under the parish sponsorship.
As we close out the school year, this is where the considerations stand. Again, I thank you all. Please pray and keep in touch.
In Christ, with Mary,
Father Timothy Naples

The charts below show the number of respondents on the Y axis & their chosen responses on the X axis.

Parishioners know and value youth: chart comparison by age

Parish knows and values - 40s = 5

Youth are involved: chart comparison by age

Youth involved - 40s = 2

Youth Input appreciated: chart comparison by age

Input appreciated - 40s = 2

Involvement encouraged & affirmed: chart comparison by age

Involvement encouraged - 40s = 3

Youth should be top priority: chart comparison by age

Youth priority - 40s = 8

Our parish has vision for youth: chart comparison by age

Youth vision - 40s = 9

I value youth: chart comparison by age

I value youth - 40s = 10

Youth Outreach: chart comparison by age

Youth outreach - 40s = Fair

Young family outreach: chart comparison by age

Young family outreach - 40s = Fair

Ministry opportunities for youth: chart comparison by age group

Ministry opportunities - 40s = Fair

Promotion of Diocesan Events: chart comparison by age group

Diocesan event promotion - 40s = Fair

What are the biggest challenges facing our youth today?

TOO MANY OPTIONS, OVERSCHEDULING, ETC

SOCIETAL SECULARISM

CATHOLIC FAITH IS NOT A PRIORITY FOR FAMILIES

SOCIAL MEDIA/TECHNOLOGY

LACK OF FEELING VALUED/BELONGING

FAITH CHALLENGES

LACK OF ADULT ROLE MODELS

NOT FINDING CATHOLIC FAITH RELEVANT TO THEIR LIVES

COVID

MISC

In what ways should our parish respond to these challenges?

MORE SERVICE ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE OFFERED FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH

OFFER MORE/INCLUDE YOUTH IN LITURGY, MINISTRIES, AND PRAYER

MAKE YOUTH EVENTS MORE FUN

FOSTER COMMUNITY AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH/BETWEEN YOUTH

RELEVANCE

MAKE SCRIPTURE/HOMILIES/LITURGY MORE APPROACHABLE

OFFER MORE/INCLUDE YOUTH IN/IMPROVE MUSIC RELATED ACTIVITIES

USE TECHNOLOGY

YOUTH SHOULD BE PRIORITY

IMPROVE COMMUNICATION

NON-ANSWERS/WHAT WE’RE DOING IS SUFFICIENT

VAGUE/MISC 

Please list any specific ideas you might have for parish events you'd like to see being offered:

FELLOWSHIP/FOOD/DRINK RELATED

LITURGY RELATED

COMMUNITY SERVICE RELATED

FAITH/BIBLE STUDY RELATED

MUSIC RELATED

FUN, YOUTH-CENTRIC EVENTS

MISC/NON-ANSWERS
 

Do you have any other thoughts or concerns you'd like to add?

TOO MUCH OF THE SAME FOR TOO LONG/TIME FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT

WE SHOULD BE/SHOULD HAVE BEEN FOCUSSING ON THE PARENTS

MORE FUN/ENGAGEMENT IS NEEDED

BETTER MUSIC IS NEEDED/GET KIDS INVOLVED IN MUSIC

OUR PARISH IS MOSTLY ELDERLY

I DON’T FEEL SENSE OF COMMUNITY

THANK YOU/GOOD WORK!

MORE SUGGESTIONS FOR THINGS TO TRY

MISC/DON'T KNOW