300 Parishes shall provide comprehensive ministry to, with, by and for adolescents which:
1. is the intentional and pro-active response of the parish community to young people, demonstrating loving care and concerned challenge for youth in the context of faith;301 Parish youth ministry shall incorporate the components of Word (evangelization and catechesis), Prayer and Worship, Community Building, Guidance and Healing, Justice and Service, Enablement and Advocacy for Youth.2. incorporates vital family and cultural perspectives;
3. calls forth the gifts of youth and welcomes their presence and full participation in the life of the parish faith community; and
4. responds to specific needs of youth, such as those of youth with primary language other than English, youth with disabilities and youth at risk.
[See Vision of Youth Ministry, USCC.]
302 As an integrated component of multifaceted and comprehensive youth ministry, parishes shall provide for youth an adolescent catechesis of a systematic and intentional nature.
Guidelines for Implementation:
• Adolescent catechesis should:
- be situated within the lifelong development process of faith growth and of ongoing catechesis, and be committed to the continuing faith growth of the individual;
- foster Catholic Christian faith in three dimensions: trusting, believing, doing; support and encourage the role of the family, and in particular the role of parents in the faith growth of young persons by involving parents in the formation of adolescent catechetical curricula and in programs;
- respect the unique cultural heritages of young people and build on the positive values found in these cultural heritages, while at the same time