This learning activity was originally written for the month of May. However, it can be used any time you want to celebrate Mary on one of her feast days. This activity includes the making of a simplified rosary. OverviewTo honor Mary the mother of Jesus, in this activity the young … Read more...

Overview This game can be used anytime during the Christmas season as an icebreaker, an introduction to a session on the Christmas story, or a prayer. Suggested Time20 to 30 minutes Group SizeThis strategy can be done with any size group, in teams of no more than five people. Materials … Read more...

From from Hands-On Ideas for Ministry with Young Teens The season of Advent lends itself to prayer. While visions of Christmas gifts dance in our heads (gifts we want to give and gifts we hope to receive), Advent is a good time to give thanks for the gifts we have … Read more...

You may already do some of these Advent practices, but you may want to try something new this year. Here are a few thoughts: Make room for silence and solitude. Give a few moments (start with five minutes) each day to quiet, peaceful waiting. Make your space dark. Pull down … Read more...

From Hands-on Ideas for Ministry with Young Teens, by Maryann Hakowski and Joyce Schoettler Jennings, Saint Mary’s Press, 2001. Saint Paul had no faith in Jesus at all, and was hostile to his followers, until he actually met Jesus. This exercise gives your students an opportunity to meet Jesus through … Read more...

Horizons: A Senior High Parish Religion Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Native American Prayer Service You may want to use this prayer service as an opening prayer for one of your classes or groups this week. This prayer service reflects Saint Kateri's faith, love, and Native American roots. Prayer Service in Honor … Read more...

Make it Happen Horizons: A Senior High Parish Religion Letting Go of the Chaos: Ideas for Addressing Ministry-Related Stress Dealing with times of spiritual dryness From The Catholic Youth Bible' Leader Guide Our Story Patiently persevere and do not let yourself get upset. Trust in God, who does not abandon … Read more...

Make it Happen Horizons: A Senior High Parish Religion The Catholic Youth Bible Leader Guide Choose Life: Deuteronomy, chapter 30 From The Catholic Youth Bible Leader Guide This activity suggests that Moses' challenge to choose life has meaning to the teenager who at times also faces life-and-death choices. 1. Ask … Read more...

Make it Happen Horizons: A Senior High Parish Religion Click Here for More Information Making Decisions From Faithful Citizen, Faithful Catholic: Informing Your Conscience and Your Vote Making Decisions Every four years since 1976, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued a statement on the responsibilities of Catholics … Read more...

Click Here for More Information "Finding Your Focus" From The Confident Catechist: Strategies for the New and Not-So-New Volunteer You are only a few minutes into a session, and already you are struggling to maintain eye contact with the group. Some of the young people are still listening, but many … Read more...

Click Here for More Information “Back-to-School Blessing Prayer Service " From Holiday and Seasonal Ideas for Ministry with Young Teens This blessing ceremony celebrates the beginning of school and helps the young people welcome a new school year. It is ideal to use for the first meeting of a group … Read more...

Click Here for More Information “Back-to-School Blessing: A Prayer Service for the Beginning of the School Year " From Holiday and Seasonal Ideas for Ministry with Young Teens This blessing ceremony celebrates the beginning of school and helps the young people welcome a new school year. It is ideal to … Read more...

Click Here for More Information “Dare to Share" From Family Ideas for Ministry with Young Teens This strategy invites the families to play a game that can help them gain knowledge about their family members, and identify events, values, and practices that are special to their family. Suggested Time 30 … Read more...

Click Here for More Information “Doing Justice to Service: Transformative Outreach Activities" From Justice and Service Ideas for Ministry with Young Teens This strategy suggests a spiritual framework for service activities and some creative ways to engage the young people in outreach experiences that are transformative. Based on the understanding … Read more...

Click Here for More Information “T.G.I.S. (Thank God It’s Summer)! An End-of-School Celebration" From Holiday and Seasonal Ideas for Ministry with Young Teens This celebration is intended simply to bring young teens together to have fun in a community of faith. Suggested Time 90 to 120 minutes, depending on how … Read more...

Click Here for More Information “A Study of the Holy Spirit" From The Catholic Youth Bible®, Third Edition, Leader Guide Acts of the Apostles “Confirmation,” Acts 2:1–13, CYB Finding the many references to the Holy Spirit in Acts allows the students to look at the varied manifestations of the Spirit. … Read more...

Click Here for More Information “The End of High School: Tough Stuff for Parents" Reflection and Forced-Choice Exercise: A Trip Down Memory Lane From Horizons: A Senior High Parish Religion Program Senior Year: Last Things and Lasting Things Before the session. List on newsprint the following questions: • Who was … Read more...

Click Here for More Information “Living Up to the Call of Ministry" From Letting Go of the Chaos: Ideas for Addressing Ministry-Related Stress Our Story What God gives sometimes seems so great... and we feel so poor! He offers us what we can scarcely imagine: Christ and the Holy Spirit … Read more...