Diocese of Phoenix: Youth and Young Adult Ministries

To support you in your role as Director or Coordinator of Youth Ministry in your parish, my Office has assembled this Policy and Procedural Manual for Youth Ministry. This manual will help you understand the work you are called to, outline the policies concerning certification and credentialing, address concerns related to youth ministry which include legal liability and ethical issues and how to address them, inform you of sacramental preparation requirements, provide core team and catechist guidelines and procedures, and supply you with forms to use in preparing for retreats, missions, pilgrimages and the transportation of minors.

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Introduction 5
Philosophy and Mission of this Document 5
What is Youth Evangelization? 5
Use of This Document 7

Chapter One: Department of Family Catechesis - Division of Education & Evangelization / Credential Information & Application 8
Pope JP II Prayer 9
Letter from Bishop Olmsted 10
Credential for Parish Leadership in Catechesis and Youth Evangelization 11
I. What is A Credential? 11
II. What Types of Credentials does the Diocese Grant? 12
III. How does Credentialing differ from Certification? 12
IV. Qualifications to be Credentialed as a Coordinator / Director 12
Application Process 15
Re-credentialing 16
Re-credentialing Application 18
Renewal of Credential Worksheet 19
Youth Evangelization Certification 21
Office of Youth Evangelization Mission Statement 23
Duties of the Director & Coordinator of Parish Youth Evangelization 23
Job Descriptions 23
Sample Job Descriptions 24
Typical Models of Parish Youth Evangelization 29
Ministry Agreement Form 31

Chapter Two: Youth Evangelization Activities – Ten (10) Areas of Concern 32
1. Code of Ethics 32
2. Chaperone Requirements 33
Youth Evangelization Adult Participation Form 34
3. Registration of Teen Participants 37
Yearly Record Sheet of Teen Participants 38
Youth Evangelization Event Permission Form 39
Off Campus Permission Form 40
4. Transportation of Teens to and from Events 41
Transportation Policy 41
Insurance Requirements 42
Driver Form for Adult Drivers 43
5. Service Project Guidelines 44
Medical Release / General Permission Slips 47
6. Out of Country Trips 48
Permission to Travel to a Foreign Country Form 49
Worldwide Travel Insurance Information 50
7. Legalities, Abuse Issues & Reporting 52
Guidelines for Disclosure and Reporting 53
Policies & Procedures for the Protection of Minors 54
Supervision of Volunteer Catechists and Core Members 54
8. Relational Youth Evangelization in Light of Safe Environment 55
9. Alcohol and Smoking Policies 58
10. Internet Code of Conduct (To Come) 59

Chapter Three: Sacramental Preparation with Teens 61
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) Adaption for Teens 61
Eucharist (Signs of Readiness) 61
Reconciliation (Signs of Readiness) 63
Confirmation & The Restored Order of the Sacraments of Initiation 66
Pastoral Letter on Sacrament of Confirmation 67
Sacraments of Confirmation & First Eucharist Policy & Guidelines 72
Confirmation Liturgy Form 85
Approved Resources for Confirmation 87
Confirmation & Restored Order Frequently Asked Questions 89

Chapter Four: Catechist & Core Team Guidelines and Procedures 98
Peer Evangelization & Adult Evangelization Team Members 98
Catechist / Core Member Management 98
Catechist / Core Member Discernment & Placement 99
Catechist / Core Member Evangelization Certification Process 99
Process for Renewing a Catechist / Core Member 99
Minor Peer Minister Parent Sign-Off Sheet 100
Catechist / Core Member Application 101
Interviewing Potential Catechists / Core Members 102
Catechist / Core Member Job Description Worksheet 104

Chapter Five: Arizona Retreat Centers Contact Information 105

Chapter Six: Through the Cracks – A Program for Youth at Risk 107
Referrals and Resources 108

Chapter Seven: Catholic Diocese of Phoenix Policy & Procedures For the Protection of Minors (Revised, July 2007) 114

Appendix & Phone Number Desk Reference 141

Contact Us: Diocesan Pastoral Center
400 E. Monroe Street
Phoenix, AZ 85004-2336
Phone: 602 354-2380
email: bmarcotte@
diocesephoenix.org

Youth & Young Adult Policy Manual

Table of Contents

World Youth Day 2008