Easter break brought some quiet time for some reading…
I got myself an early copy of Youcat, the Catechism of the Catholic Church aimed at the young. "It is a gift from the Holy Father to the young participants in World Youth Day,” stated Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity. "It is not enough to make young people ‘dream’; it is necessary also to help them grow well-rooted in the rich earth of Christian tradition. … A real education in the faith of the young, therefore, must begin by freely proposing Christ to them. He is the solid rock upon which they may build their lives!"
It is a classic numbered question-and-answer catechism with many well placed quotes,
definitions, pictures, and artwork on the margins. I like it and will be offering many of Friday’s upcoming “quotable” from it.
I’m also reading From Maintenance to Mission, It’s a pretty good read regarding evangelization and parish life. I’m reading it in advance of further conversations on a wide variety of different levels.
Finally, I first saw Bob Rice read clips of his book, Between the Savior and the Sea, while he lead a youth ministers’ retreat day. I’ve been reading his book in the same manner – - catching clips here and there… I’m sure I’m missing some intentional character development in the relationships between the apostles, but I kid of like the sporadic reading of it. Bob is a great storyteller, both as a speaker and via the written word. The book is a blessing.
D. Scott Miller
D. Scott Miller is the dean of Catholic Youth Ministry bloggers which is a polite way of either saying that he is just plain old or has been blogging for a long time (since 2004.)
Scott recently married the lovely Anne and together they have five adult young people and also grandparent three delightful kids (so, maybe he is just plain old!) Scott presently serves at Saint John the Evangelist in Columbia, MD as the director of youth and young adult ministry.
He has previously served on the parish, regional, diocesan, and national levels as well as having taught within a catholic high school. He is one of the founders of RebuildMyChurch and has returned to posting regularly (keeping regular is important to old guys) at ProjectYM.
D. Scott Miller
D. Scott Miller is the dean of Catholic Youth Ministry bloggers which is a polite way of either saying that he is just plain old or has been blogging for a long time (since 2004.)
Scott recently married the lovely Anne and together they have five adult young people and also grandparent three delightful kids (so, maybe he is just plain old!) Scott presently serves at Saint John the Evangelist in Columbia, MD as the director of youth and young adult ministry.
He has previously served on the parish, regional, diocesan, and national levels as well as having taught within a catholic high school. He is one of the founders of RebuildMyChurch and has returned to posting regularly (keeping regular is important to old guys) at ProjectYM.
I’m also reading From Maintenance to Mission, It’s a pretty good read regarding evangelization and parish life. I’m reading it in advance of further conversations on a wide variety of different levels.
I’m jealous that you have a copy of YouCat. Getting one in the UK is proving to be something of an uphill struggle!!
Scott — How would you compare the YouCat to SMP’s Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth? I have not yet seen the former but very much appreciate the latter. Thanks for any insights you may be willing to share! — CC
They are different and have different audiences. I think SMP is more youth focused and that YouCat has the vatican youth understanding of young adults. The Q&A of YouCat is old school catechism, but I really like the liner notes on the page of YouCat, which is similar to the “extras” of SMP’s Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth.