Building Youth Ministry in Your Parish is the AOY's newest resource and a replacement for Starting Youth Ministry. This new resource has been developed to assist parishes and young people with the tools for starting a youth group. This resource aims to provide practical tips on planning youth ministry leadership teams as well as building sustainable youth ministry in the parish setting. 

 

Christ is Alive (Christus Vivit) is the post-synodal apostolic exhortation that has been written after the Synod on Young People, Faith and Vocations in October 2018. There are a number of documents that have been released around the Synod. The Pre-Synodial documents and the Final Document produced directly after the Synod are recommended texts if you are really interested in discovering more. 

 

To read the entire document see HERE

 

To download the summaries. download HERE 

Designed to help with planning, we are releasing a brand new and shiny resource! Taken from content written last year for our Youth LEader Update online newsletter, the Turning Focus Areas into Action (a companion resource for Anointed and Sent) offers practical tips and advice for implementing Anointed and Sent in your youth ministry. Download HERE.

The AOY know that Mental Health is one of those tricky topics in Youth Ministry so we have put together a guide on who to approach Mental Health and where to go for further assistance and advice.

 

Updated August 2018 

 

The Youth Ministry Handbook is a handy little booklet containing tips and information on all things Youth Ministry. From leading small groups to running a mercy night, this resource is there to help and guide you along the way.

 

 

This guide helps you as a volunteer or paid youth ministry leader in the Archdiocese of Melbourne keep the young people in your ministry safe from physical, emotional and personal harm in every way you and your team engage with them. This guide has been developed for the parish context, but contains many best practice suggestions which can be applied to any youth ministry setting. In this document, young people refer to people aged under 18 years. 

 

 

 

This resource accompanies the Young Saints travelling exhibition of six portable pull-up banners featuring images of six young saints. As contemporary saints, the faces of these six young people are intended to draw young people into a recognition that holy lives are lived even today, and that extraordinary sanctity may be found in the ordinariness of familiar faces. 

The travelling exhibition may be booked for your parish, school or community by contacting the Archdiocesan Office for Youth at aoy@cam.org.au / 

9287 5565.

This resource may be used in the following ways:

•  Display the banners in your parish, school, or community on significant days e.g. World Youth Day (held on Palm Sunday annually), Vocations Sunday, All Saints Day.

•  Run a youth group session featuring the banners and resource. Allocate one saint to each small group, and reflect on their life using the biography presented in this resource:

o What challenges in this young saint’s life can you identify with?

o How is love expressed in this young saint’s life?

o What can you learn from this young saint’s example?

 

Conclude with the prayer or reflection presented with each saint’s biography.

 

 

 

 

 

This new resource from the Archdiocesan Office for Evangelisation provides an opportunity to reflect on the words in our Creed - the summary of our Catholic beliefs - in the context of the contemporary world. Each of the 22 articles is followed by questions for personal or group enrichment.

 

This resource contains reflection questions, prayers and games, and utilises clips taken from “Mother Teresa,” a documentary available to borrow from the AOY Youth Ministry Library. You can also adapt it to run without the video presentation if required. You can run this reflection over multiple sessions or adapt it to suit your youth group format. You can also use it for self reflection. 

 

 

The Archbishop's Office for Evangelisation have put together a fabulous resource on reflecting on the rosary for individuals and groups. A great resource that you can use in your youth group and easily adapted for all ages.

 

John XXIII initiated Vatican II, one of the most significant councils in church history. To celebrate the canonisation of Good Pope John, this youth group resource helps young people understand his life and faith, and the council which renewed the church.

 

John Paul II, one of the greatest men of the twentieth century, will be canonised on April 27! This resource for youth groups helps introduce young people to the life of John Paul II and reflect on his great virtues.

 

 

Listen to Sister Rita Malavisi RSJ share her story and follow our guidelines to lead your youth group to reflect and discuss their relationship with God. This reflection is taken from the Parish Youth Group Leader Retreat held in July 2012. You will require the guidelines as well as using the video link via YouTube. The clip features reflection track from Fr Rob Galea.

 

 

 

 

Building Youth Ministry in Your Parish is the AOY's newest resource and a replacement for Starting Youth Ministry. This new resource has been developed to assist parishes and young people with the tools for starting a youth group. This resource aims to provide practical tips on planning youth ministry leadership teams as well as building sustainable youth ministry in the parish setting. 

 

Christ is Alive (Christus Vivit) is the post-synodal apostolic exhortation that has been written after the Synod on Young People, Faith and Vocations in October 2018. There are a number of documents that have been released around the Synod. The Pre-Synodial documents and the Final Document produced directly after the Synod are recommended texts if you are really interested in discovering more. 

 

To read the entire document see HERE

 

To download the summaries. download HERE 

Designed to help with planning, we are releasing a brand new and shiny resource! Taken from content written last year for our Youth LEader Update online newsletter, the Turning Focus Areas into Action (a companion resource for Anointed and Sent) offers practical tips and advice for implementing Anointed and Sent in your youth ministry. Download HERE.

The AOY know that Mental Health is one of those tricky topics in Youth Ministry so we have put together a guide on who to approach Mental Health and where to go for further assistance and advice.

 

Updated August 2018 

 

The Youth Ministry Handbook is a handy little booklet containing tips and information on all things Youth Ministry. From leading small groups to running a mercy night, this resource is there to help and guide you along the way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This report provides a summary of results from the young people who responded to the survey from the Melbourne Archdiocese. 

 

 

 

This guide helps you as a volunteer or paid youth ministry leader in the Archdiocese of Melbourne keep the young people in your ministry safe from physical, emotional and personal harm in every way you and your team engage with them. This guide has been developed for the parish context, but contains many best practice suggestions which can be applied to any youth ministry setting. In this document, young people refer to people aged under 18 years. 

 

 

 

Pope Francis has called for an Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy that is to have the mercy of God at its centre. The Archdiocesan Office for Youth is releasing a series of video blogs throughout this Holy Year of Mercy which invites us all to consider how we might rediscover and make fruitful the Mercy of the Father. This resource looks at how we can show mercy and compassion for the homeless.


There is a print resource to accompany the video and facilitate its use in Youth Groups To download, click HERE


 


To link to the video, click HERE. 

 

Special thanks to the amazing Genevieve Bryant and her beautiful music that is in the video. You can find her on iTunes.

There is a print resource to accompany the video and facilitate its use in Youth Groups To download, click HERE


 

If you're looking for ideas on how to unpack the Year of Mercy in your youth group, look no further! This resource is jammed packed full of ideas and helpful planning tips to assist you at your youth group!

 

Pope Francis has called for an Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy that is to have the mercy of God at its centre. The Archdiocesan Office for Youth is releasing a series of video blogs throughout this Holy Year of Mercy which invites us all to consider how we might rediscover and make fruitful the Mercy of the Father.

 

There is a print resource to accompany the video and enable its use for Youth Groups To download, click HERE.

A brief presentation summary on Pope Francis' Evangelii Gaudium and Laudato Si. Notes can be seen by clicking on the icon marked in the corner of PDF pages (where applicable) but must be viewed in Adobe Acrobat to see.

 

The Archdiocesan Office for Youth (AOY) has put together a resource to help support youth leaders in taking a group to the Australian Catholic Youth Festival which will take place in Adelaide in December 2015. This resource contains some general information about the youth festival, extra information relevant to Melbourne participants, tips on how you can bring a group to the festival, ideas on how you can use the festival to boost or start a local youth group, and links to editable permission forms.

 

DOWNLOAD THE RESOURCE

 

The AOY has put together a guide to help young people minister Mass in their local parishes and communities. This guide is full of step-by-step information and practical tips on how to run all the ministry roles during Mass. This resource has been ecclesiastical approval from the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne.

 

DOWNLOAD THE RESOURCE HERE 

 

Ok so we aren't all experts in everything in life so here are some basic FAQs in copyright to steer you in the right direction.

 

 

 

If you're looking to start, revive or re-jig a youth group in your parish, download our newly revised resource Starting a Youth Group. Full of tips, resources and information as well as steps to get you on your way. Also, the office is always happy for a chat if you have any questions on 9287 5565.

 

 

 

This year the Archbishop's Pentecost message to youth focuses on Opening New Horizons for Spreading Joy in the Year of Youth.

 

The view the Archbishop's message, click HERE

 

To read the Archbishop's message, click HERE 

The Archdiocesan Office for Youth (AOY), as the nominated office working for young people in the Melbourne Archdiocese has a special role to play in promoting and resourcing the Year of Youth in our Archdiocese. 

 

We decided to develop a resource to assist parishes and communities to break open the theme of the Year of Youth and help them begin to plan how they can mark the Year of Youth on a local level. 

 

This resource contains useful documents to provide the background to the Year of Youth as well as many practical suggestions and ideas for how the Year of Youth can be celebrated. It is really only a start, however, and we know that there will be many creative ways that the Year of Youth will be celebrated across our Archdiocese. 

 

The resource contains five sections to highlight the different focus areas we are encouraging parishes to mark. Each section contains an overview of the focus area and a number of suggestions of ideas for parishes and community groups. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discover this 2017's Pentecost Letter to Youth 

 

Download the print letter HERE

 

View the video resources HERE 

Each year, Archbishop Denis Hart writes a letter to young people which is released on Pentecost Sunday. The Pentecost letter is inspired by the Archbishop’s annual conversation with student leaders, and reflects on the hopes, concerns and questions expressed by young people at this gathering.

 

This year’s Pentecost Letter reflects on Pope Francis' call for a Jubilee Year of Mercy, touching on how we are called to be merciful.

 

DOWNLOADS:

 

VIDEO RESOURCES:

 

The Archbishop's Office for Evangelisation has put together a lenten resource for group or individual reflection based around the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy. Can be easily adapted to suit all ages.

 

The Archbishop's Office for Evangelisation has put together a resource booklet in preparation for the upcoming Year of Mercy (commences on 8 December). Download a free copy of this resource and start planning ahead!

 

Every year, Archbishop Denis Hart writes a letter to young people which is released on Pentecost Sunday. The Pentecost letter is inspired by the Archbishop’s annual conversation with student leaders, and reflects on the hopes, concerns and questions expressed by young people at this gathering.

 

This year’s Pentecost Letter is an invitation for young people to ‘go higher’ in their lives by living the beatitude given as the 2015 World Youth Day theme: ‘Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God’ (Matthew 5:8).

 

DOWNLOADS:

 

VIDEO CLIPS:

The Prayer of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati
 

The AOY has collated a list of lenten resources to help young people prepare for Easter during Lent.

 

 

The AOY has put together a resource to help prepare young people for Christmas. This resource has primarily been designed for use within youth group settings however it can also be adapted for your own personal reflection. The four videos (approx. 15mins each) cover the four Sundays of Advent,
placing particular focus on the Sunday Gospels for each week.

 

 

The Archbishop's Pentecost Letter can be downloaded in digital format HERE.

 

There are three resources to accompany the letter.

 

The first is a Parish Resource which can be downloaded HERE.

 

The second is a School Resource which can be downloaded HERE.

 

The third is a Youth Group Resource which can be downloaded HERE.

 

To accompany the letter and resources, there are video resources which can be viewed at: http://www.cam.org.au/youthletter

 

This resource is written by the AOY as a program that youth groups can use throughout the season of Lent. The program aims to deepen the faith of young people and to extend their understanding of Lent. The resource includes four sessions that can be used in any order, however it is suggested that the Introduction to Lent session be used earlier on in Lent or the week before Lent starts.

 

DOWNLOAD THE WEB VERSION HERE


DOWNLOAD THE PRINT VERSION HERE 

 

 

This is a companion document to assist you in this Lenten Season with reflections by Anthony Kelly, C.Ss.R., STD. The resource is A5 in size and can be downloaded in our web version, to be viewed on screen or in our print version that you can print into A4 booklets with Adobe Acrobat.

 

DOWNLOAD THE WEB VERSION HERE

DOWNLOAD THE PRINT VERSION HERE

 

Our Year of Faith resource guide packed full of ideas of how to celebrate the Year of Faith in your youth group. Designed to work in conjunction with the Archbishop's Office for Evangelisation's Faith Matters Resource. This guide is full of ideas and resources that you can use to reflect on the Year of Faith.

Advent season is here again and to help you to focus on what's really important this season, the AOY has created a resource for young people, both individually and in youth groups to enter more deeply into the season of Advent. The resource contains the Gospel readings and some reflection questions for each day of Advent. Each Sunday also includes some prayers or intentions that can be used either in Mass or during a group prayer time. In addition, there are some other sections that people may find interesting or useful in helping them prepare for Christmas. 

 

The Year of Grace is popping up everywhere… break down what it’s all about with our new Resource for Youth Groups. This resource is designed to help you run a session with your youth group to understand the Year of Grace.

 

Another Advent season is upon us and to help you to focus on what's really important this season, the AOY has created a resource for young people, both individually and in youth groups to enter more deeply into the season of Advent. The resource contains the Gospel readings and some reflection questions for each day of Advent. Each Sunday also includes some prayers that can be used either in Mass or during a group prayer time. In addition, there are some other sections that people may find interesting or useful in helping them prepare for Christmas. Two versions are available, one is ready to print into a booklet, just get your printed to flip on the short edge and it will be ready to go! The other is in single pages which is easier for reading from the PDF directly.

 

 

 

 

 

Pope Francis' message for World Youth Day 2016 has been released! This versions is courtesy of the ACBC

 

Pope Francis' message for World Youth Day 2015 has been released! This World Youth Day, which will be celebrated in local dioceses on Palm Sunday March 29, Pope Francis invites young people to reflect on the beatitude of the purity of heart.

 

Did you know it’s World Youth Day every year? Palm Sunday marks World Youth Day across the world. The AOY has put together a special resource to help you celebrate this World Youth Day in your parish and your youth group.

 

 

 

Whether you are off to World Youth Day or staying in, we have a NEW resource to help you break open this year’s theme: Go Make Disciples of All Nations

 

 

 

We understand that not everyone can make it over to Rio de Janeiro for the upcoming World Youth Day in July so here is a guide on how to celebrate locally with your parish and/or youth group. It includes prayers and intercessions as well as useful websites and ways to pray for those who were fortunate enough to make the journey over.

 

This resource is for all those are fundraising - whether you can make it to Rio de Janeiro or if you just need to raise some funds for your youth group. This guide includes lots of ideas as well as sample run sheets.

 

 

 

The AOY has put together a special resource to help you celebrate this World Youth Day in your parish.