Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Office of Religious Education

Ministry with Young People

Welcome to the Ministry with Young People pages for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Here you will find the latest information about youth ministry events and training, including confirmation.

How this page works

When you click on one of these categories below, it will take you to the the most pertinent part of this webiste that applies to you.

Youth Ministry Team Mission

The Youth Ministry team's mission is to "support, empower, affirm and challenge the efforts of parish communities in their ministry to, with and for youth."

Event of the Month: July 2008, Specializations

The weekends of August 23-24 and September 6-7 are our specialization weekends. In every region of the Archdiocese, we have numerous specializations taking place, including:

  • Youth Ministry Specialization
  • Confirmation Catechist Specialization
  • Jr. High Specialization
  • Confirmation Catechist Specialization in Spanish
  • Elementary Specialization in English and Spanish
  • Young Adult Specialization

Now is a good time to sign up for one of these great training opportunities!

Details can be found on the Youth Ministry Calendar.

I'm a Youth Ministry Coordinator

Youth Ministry is such a wonderful ministry to be a part of. Our job is to make sure that you have the skills needed to create and coordinate a successful youth ministy program in your parish that truly empowers young people to live as disciples, draws them to responsible participation, and fosters total personal and spiritual growth of each young person. Below is a list of relevant trainings and events that will help you do just that. Click on the event for more information.

I'm a Confirmation Coordinator

Confirmation is an important step of initiation for our young people and we want to make sure that you have the skills and training you need to provide the best ministry of confirmation possible. Below is a list of relevant training and events. Click on the event for more information.

I'm a Jr. High Ministry Coordinator

Junior high ministry is such an important ministry to the life of the church and presents its own unique challenges and joys. Below is a list of training and event opportunities for you to better your ministry to junior high teens. Click on the event for more information.

I'm a Youth in Youth Ministry Leadership

Youth leadership formation is essential to the success of youth ministry. We want you to learn, grow and play an integral role in your youth ministry program. Below is a list of ways to get involved. Click on the event for more information.

I'm an Adult volunteer in Youth Ministry Leadership

Our desire is to assist all ministry leaders, whether volunteer or staff, to provide the best youth ministry possible. Below is a list of opportunities to take advantage of as an adult volunteer. Click on the event for more information.

Training and Event Opportunities

Confirmation Catechist Specialization

This two day Specialization is offered twice a year in August and February/March.

This specialization is designed for both adult and youth Confirmation Catechists, those who teach Confirmation in your parish. It is a hands- on training that looks at Adolescent Development-helping you to understand today's young people, Comprehensive Youth Ministry, the Confirmation Process, Lesson Planning and Developing "Youth Friendly" Sessions, Learning Environments, using media and additional resources

For more information, visit the Youth Ministry Calendar or contact Mike Norman at (213) 637-7674 or mnorman@la-archdiocese.org.

Youth Ministry Specialization

This two day Specialization is offered twice a year in August and February/March.

This specialization is designed for both adult and youth who work in or volunteer in youth ministry. This specialization gives a basic overview of how to develop and implement a youth ministry program. The session is based on the U.S. Bishop's document "Renewing the Vision" which gives a basic framework for youth ministry.

For more information, visit the Youth Ministry Calendar or contact John Rinaldo (213) 637-7616 or jmrinaldo@la-archdiocese.org.

Young Adolescent Specialization

This two day Specialization is offered once a year in February/March.

This specialization is designed for both adult and youth who work in or volunteer in youth ministry. This specialization gives participants the skills to develop and maintain a healthy ministry to young adolescents (Jr. High teens).

For information, visit the Youth Ministry Calendar or email Mike Norman at (213) 637-7674 or mnorman@la-archdiocese.org.

Coordinators Orientation

This day-long workshop is offered every September for new Coordinators of Youth Ministry and Confirmation.

It takes an in depth look at Comprehensive Youth Ministry, the hiring process of a new coordinator, developing a job description, involving parents and volunteers in your program, insurance and liability issues, the technicalities of field trips and retreats, and lots of other helpful information!

For more information, visit the Youth Ministry Calendar or contact Mike Norman at (213) 637-7674 or mnorman@la-archdiocese.org.

2008 Regional Congresses

Regional Congresses take place once a year and are an opportunity for further training for coordinators and volunteers and have workshops on confirmation, youth ministry, liturgy, leadership, and much more!

For more information, contact your regional coordinator:

  • San Fernando Region, September 20, 2008: Lynn Lang, (818) 365-5123 or lynnl@sfpr.org.
  • San Pedro Region, October 4, 2008 : Karina Plascencia, (562) 630-6272 or karina@sppr.org.
  • Santa Barbara Region, October 11, 2008: Sue Spies, (805) 569-2779 or sue@sbpr.org.
  • San Gabriel Region, October 18, 2008: Eileen Gateley, (626) 962-7707 or eileen@sgpr.org.
  • Our Lady of Angels Region, October 25, 2008: David Lara, (310) 216-9587 or dlara@olapr.org.

Retreat Training Day

This day long event is for anyone that helps plan high school, junior high, or confirmation retreats and is usually held in November. There are many workshops to choose from, some of which include:

  • Beginner track
  • Coordinator track
  • Media usage
  • Witness talks
  • Theme and schedule development
  • Group dynamics
  • and much more!

For more information, visit the Youth Ministry Calendar or contact John Rinaldo at jmrinaldo@la-archdiocese.org or (213) 637-7616.

National Conferences

NCCYM- National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry

This 4 day adult conference sponsored by NFCYM (National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry) is offered every even year (2008, 2010, 2012, etc.) This is an incredible opportunity for Youth Ministry Coordinators at the Parish and Diocesan levels to come together to celebrate, learn, make connections at the national level and be refreshed and inspired with new ideas. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles organizes a trip for the coordinators of this archdiocese.

For more information see www.nfcym.org or contact Mike Norman at (213) 637-7616 or mnorman@la-archdiocese.org.

NCYC- National Catholic Youth Conference

This 3 day conference sponsored by NFCYM (National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry) is offered every odd year (2007, 2009, 2011, etc.) This is an exciting opportunity for Youth to come together to:

  • Gather on a national level, 24,000 youth in all!
  • Learn more about themselves and their relationship to the Catholic Church
  • Celebrate their Catholic Christian faith
  • Meet thousands of other Catholic youth
  • Share beliefs and experiences

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles organizes a trip for youth and adult participants of this archdiocese.

For more information check out www.nfcym.org or contact John Rinaldo at (213) 637-7616 or jmrinaldo@la-archdiocese.org.

Confirmation Rite Training

This one-day workshop is offered annually in February.

This training offers guidance and ideas for those preparing the Rite of Confirmation Liturgy at the parish setting.

For more information, visit the Youth Ministry Calendar or contact Mike Norman at (213) 637-7674 or mnorman@la-archdiocese.org.

Emcee Training Day

Every year at Youth Day, we need many teenagers to help us lead the day. The roles that these teen Emcee's play include introducing speakers, leading the day on the main stage, and much more!

If you are a high school teen that wants to help lead Youth Day and is energetic, then the Emcee Training Day is for you! At this training we audition youth for Youth Day.

For more information,visit the Youth Ministry Calendar or contact Mike Norman at (213) 637-7674 or mnorman@la-archdiocese.org.

Youth Day Archdiocesan Choir

Every year at Youth Day, we are in need of hundreds of teenagers to help lead us in music at the liturgies. If you are a youth musican who plays an instrument or sings, this choir is for you.

For more information,visit the Youth Ministry Calendar or contact John Rinaldo at jmrinaldo@la-archdiocese.org or (213) 637-7616.

Confirmation Coordinator Specialization

This specialization, taken over the course of five Wednesdays evenings in May/June, is for anyone who coordinates confirmation and wants to provide a better sacramental preparation program for confirmation. Over the course of the specialization, topics covered include:

  • Confirmation Guidelines
  • Fatih Themes
  • Role of the Catechist
  • Retreats
  • Liturgy
  • and more!

For more information, visit the Youth Ministry Calendar or contact Mike Norman at (213) 637-7674 or mnorman@la-archdiocese.org.

Signed, Anointed to Witness (SAW)

This week long camp, offered every summer in the Santa Barbara Region and in the greater Los Angeles area, is for those high school teenangers that have been recently Confirmed. Join other youth from across the Archdiocese to build community, learn how to witness your faith, and to grow your relationship with God.

For more information on the Santa Barbara SAW, contact Dennis Santos at (805) 682-5500 or dennis@sbpr.org.

For more information on SAW South, visit the Youth Ministry Calendar or contact Nancy Longo at (562) 822-8779 or nancy_longo@yahoo.com.

Camp Big Deal

This four day junior high camp is designed for those entering the 7th and 8th grade. During the four days, offered every summer in the Santa Barbara Region, the teens will experience leadership skills, prayer, liturgy, workshops, and fellowship.

For more information, visit the Youth Ministry Calendar or contact Dennis Santos at (805) 682-5500 or dennis@sbpr.org.

Christian Leadership Insitute (CLI)

This week long leadership camp is offered every summer for high school teenagers who are sponsored by their coordinator of youth ministry, confirmation, or campus minister. This practical leadership camp trians youth to be leaders in their parishes, schools, and homes. Some of the traing topics are:

  • Leadership Styles
  • Group Dynamics
  • Planning Skills
  • Christian Leadership
  • and more!

For more information, visit the Youth Ministry Calendar or contact Mike Norman at (213) 637-7674 or mnorman@la-archdiocese.org.

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