Office of Youth Ministry

Archdiocese of New York
1011 First Avenue, 12th Floor | New York, NY 10022
212-371-1000

(8/4/2020)
Safe & Sound Guidelines for Reopening Religious Education and Youth Ministry On-site

Dear Youth Ministers,

On Tuesday August 4, 2020 “Safe and Sound: Guidelines and Procedures for Holding On-site Religious Education and Youth Ministry were shared with all pastors and you should have received a copy of these guidelines by email from Cynthia on Wednesday August 5,2020.”  You can download the PDF here.

This document outlines the required procedures for parish communities that desire to hold on-site religious education and youth ministry gatherings. It is adapted from the guidelines presented by Office of the Superintendent of Schools on July 20, 2020 which reflect state and federal guidelines and best practices. They have also been approved by the Office of Risk Management and the Vicar General.

There are many components to developing a plan that takes into account all of the procedures contained in the document. For this reason, I’d like to emphasize the importance of collaboration between the Director/Coordinator of Religious Education and the Youth Ministry Coordinator to develop a comprehensive plan.

We know that this remains a challenging time, and so reiterate what Ela says in her letter, do not get discouraged! More than ever, our young people and their families are in need of communities where they can feel safe and loved. Our team is here to help you discern if having on-site ministry safely is possible at this time and assist you in discovering creative ways to continue your ministry with the teens and their families. We are available to walk through the document and answer any questions you may have. You can contact the regional coordinator in your area, Chris (southern region) , Stephen (northern region) or feel free to also contact Cynthia.

Know of our continued prayers for you as you navigate these tumultuous waters. We hope that we are able to provide you with an anchor for your ministry.

Cynthia Psencik & the OYM Team

For more information regarding our diocesan response you can review the Faith Forward Returning to Public Worship: Executive Summary webpage.

The Department of Youth Faith Formation will continue sending out tools to parishes to help families share faith at home, including a weekly PDF that can be forwarded to parents and guardians.

Racial Justice and Equality Resources

Dear Friends,

These past few weeks have been challenging for us as a nation and as a Church.  As an office, we denounce the sin of racism in all of its forms, and we continue to support all of those who work arduously to cultivate a culture of inclusivity in our ministries and communities.  “Racism still profoundly affects our culture, and it has no place in the Christian heart. This evil causes great harm to its victims, and it corrupts the souls of those who harbor racist or prejudicial thoughts.” Open Wide Our Hearts, a Pastoral Letter against Racism.

We encourage you to keep listening, learning, and praying. The following links will provide you with excellent resources to help you continue to build a culture of listening, understanding and inclusion in your ministry, and to continue to combat the evil of racism. We will continue updating as we encounter more resources. Please let us know if we can support you and your ministry in any way.

Commission of religious leaders statement on the death of george floyd

Statement of U.S. Bishop Chairmen in Wake of Death of George Floyd and National Protests

Open Wide our Hearts Webinar Series: How to Apply “Open Wide Our Hearts: A Pastoral Letter Against Racism” in a Ministry Context.

Combatting Racism – Educational Resources

USCCB Intercultural Competencies

Since we are living constantly changing landscape, we invite you to access our COVID-19 support resources to support your ministry by clicking below:

COVID-19 Support Resources:

For Youth Ministers

For Parents & Families:

Bi-lingual Family Faith Resources Click the Link Below:

Upcoming Youth Events and Formation Opportunities

Youth Ministry: How do we get started

Current Resources

Building Youth Ministry at My Parish

Youth Ministry 101

Resources

NYCYD 2019 – Highlight Reel

Stay Connected

Are you a youth minister or adult volunteer? If you want to stay connected to our the latest office news and updates join our mailing list. We send out regular communication regarding youth ministry on local, regional, and national levels. If you would like to join click the link below.

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