Youth Ministry is one of the most vital works to be done in today’s church. Statistics show that more and more young people are leaving the Catholic Church. If we all do our part in cultivating the young church to have a love for their Catholic faith, we would most certainly help reverse that trend. There is great work to be done in the vineyard of the Lord and he needs everyone of us to help till the soil of the youth’s hearts!
I have been a youth minister in the Camden Diocese for over 12 years now, first at Saint Bridget’s Parish in Glassboro, and then for the past 11 years at Our Lady of Peace Parish in Williamstown. I lead youth groups beginning in third grade and I span to young adult ministry ending at 28 years old. I love being a youth minister. While it isn’t what I studied in college or what I planned to do “when I grew up,” I truly believe that God led me here. I also feel that God is calling many others to help save the souls of the youth. There is so much in our world and culture of today that our youth are up against. God needs an army of helpers working for him to help transmit the faith. That is why when asked by the Diocese of Camden’s Communication Department to host a video series on youth ministry, I was 100% on board.
Upon deciding on a name for the series, I picked out a few, but none stood out like Youth Ministry Insights (YMI). YMI will be a new series all about bringing the church to today’s youth. Whether you are already a full time or part time youth minister, volunteer at your church, are interested in helping youth or a parent, you are all called to help reach today’s youth.
In my first episode, which premiered on Jan. 13, “Working In the Vineyard,” I give tips to help one’s spiritual life and in turn bring youth closer to the Lord. The best place to start a youth ministry program is to begin to deepen your own faith. As I say in the video, “We can’t give what we don’t have.”
To view the “Working in the Vineyard” video and future Youth Ministry Insight’s videos please subscribe to the “Talking Catholic” YouTube Channel or visit Talking.CatholicStarHerald.org.
Kari Janisse is the youth minister at Our Lady of Peace Parish, Williamstown.
at the bottom and then tap “Add to Home Screen”
