What does a Life Teen program look like?
The Life Teen program is a
complete, comprehensive and interactive model of religious
formation. Through youth friendly Liturgies, Life Nights,
weekly activities, service opportunities, teen leadership and
outreach activities, teens learn more about their Catholic faith and
grow to love the Sacraments, the Word, and the Mass.
At a parish
with the Life Teen program, a priest, youth minister, music ministry
and a Core team of volunteer’s build an environment where teens feel
loved, accepted, and challenged to go deeper in their faith.
Teens learn about the Mass
by being “full, active and conscious” members of the community.
Teens not only engage in the liturgy, but also serve as leaders of
hospitality, altar servers, lectors, ushers, musicians, vocalists
and, when allowed, extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist. “Mother
Church earnestly desires that all the faithful should be led to that
fully conscious, and active participation in liturgical celebrations
which is demanded by the very nature of the liturgy” (Sacrosanctum
Concilium, 14). In addition, clergy are renewed and affirmed in
their vocation as they reach out to the young Church through the
Sacraments.
Attributes of a
Strong Life Teen Program
- Weekly youth Mass
- Weekly catechetical
Life Nights
- Justice and service
opportunities
- Annual teen and Core
retreats
- Relational ministry
development
- Community building
that engage teens in the life of the parish while advocating
their needs
Implementing Renewing
the Vision
The National Conference of Catholic
Bishops document Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic
Youth Ministry created a foundation for youth ministry in 1997
that Life Teen programs implement in their parishes around the
globe. Every component of Renewing the Vision is
incorporated in the Life Teen ministry, including:
- Advocacy
- Catechesis
- Community life
- Evangelization
- Justice and Service
- Leadership
development
- Pastoral Care
- Prayer and Worship
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