Compassionate Presence

In Renewing the Vision of Youth Ministry, the US Bishops define the Ministry of Pastoral Care as:

a compassionate presence in imitation of Jesus’ care of people, especially those who were hurting and in need… Pastoral care is most fundamentally a relationship.

Acknowledging this, we:
> Acknowledge and celebrate those parish youth ministers who responded to their students and families impacted recently by the school shooting. Furthermore, Christopher Wesley recently blogged about responding to youth in crisis. Lauren McKeegan provided parents web resources.
> Remind you that our Archdiocesan Response Team is available to you in times of sudden death of a young person or an adult who has made a significant difference in the lives of the youngchurch. We can assist in planning for those with terminal illness and consult in other cases. Please contact [email protected]
> Call your attention to the many resources available to you on our Pastoral Care webpage
> Invite you to the upcoming webinar training on Pastoral Care related to Bullying will be October 18

Linking with Parents Newsletter

Attached, you will find another edition of Linking with Parents, a newsletter for parents that you can make your own… sending it out from your parish or campus ministry.

Youth Contact

While we are hoping that youth contacts bring their core teams to the Youth Contact meetings September 8 or 15, we still would appreciate you or a designate traveling solo to the meeting if that is what you are ready to do.

BYCC — Assemble

Even if BYCC Man might not be there, registration opens next week. Keep recruiting young people for this event. Registration info is here. At this link, you can also nominate an animator, a talented young person from your parish or school to share their gifts with the youngchurch.

Web Links

> Ron Rolheiser will be a keynoter at the Mid-Atlantic Congress in March. Recently, he wrote about discerning the voice of God in the midst of a noisy world. It is worth a read over your Labor Day break.
> The USCCB shares 20 ways to promote vocations

Happy Labor Day break, all! Continue along the way –

D. Scott Miller