I have recently been delving into my copy of the new YOUCAT put out by Ignatius Press.  The YouCat is short for Youth Catechism.  I just want to through a few comments up about it and how I think it can and will be utilized in youth ministry.

What is it?

The YOUCAT is basically the youth version of the Catechism.  This is talked about in the forward of the book that when the committee that originally helped develop the Catechism  we have today met, they knew that this would need to come later.  It is not the Catechism, just dumbed down nor is it a literal translation of the Catechism.  It is simply a youth version of our beliefs organized much like the Catechism is.  The content is written in a question and answer format and gives references to where these answers can be found, on a deeper level, in the Catechism.

Another thing to note is that this is not an official Catechism for youth.  It does not come from the Vatican and it does not come from the USCCB.  It is a product of Ignatius Press.  This leads me to the next important point.

Pope Benedict

The pope’s name and endorsement is all over this thing.  Actually here is a quote that is found on the back.

Study this Catechism!  This is my heartfelt desire.  Study this Catechism with passion and perseverance.  Study it in the quiet of your room; read it with a friend; form study groups and networks; share with each other on the Internet…. You need to be more deeply rooted in the faith than the generation of your parents…

So… the pope is a big fan of it.  Actually the first picture in the YOUCAT is a picture of him holding the hideously ugly yellow YOUCAT with a grin on his face.

What Should We Use It For?

This is not the Catechism.  You can not reference it like you can the CCC.  Resources that you use for youth groups or religious education will reference the CCC and this will be of no help to you in that way.  Right now it is just something that can be used to help give our youth a better understanding of the faith.  It is more of a personal study resource.  I can see publishers coming out with resources to supplement the YOUCAT for better use in the classroom.  I could even see curriculum referencing the YOUCAT along with the CCC.

I would definitely recommend having extra copies of this on hand to give away to those youth who want to know more.  Maybe as graduation or Confirmation gifts.  If you have a good leader, maybe even leading a study group to go through it.

More…

Just to forewarn you, it is still pretty deep reading for a high schooler.  I believe there are some who could get through without much of a problem, but the average high schooler may still struggle with.  Youth in the U.S. are considered high schoolers usually.  The rests of the world seems to use the word youth for 16-30 years old.   I would recommend getting a copy to review for yourself and go from there.

Do you have thoughts or questions on the YOUCAT.  Please post them below!

Link to YOUCAT Here

Pope Benedict’s Forward

Enjoy!

I am putting together this post, because I have found a solution that I believe to be the best available for the price that you pay. Eventbrite is a free online program that anyone can and only charges when someone registers online for an event that requires a payment.

This post is a review of Eventbrite, a great Online Event Registration web site that I found and highly recommend for any person looking for an online event registration solution, especially in youth ministry.  I have evaluated several of the newest and most popular programs out there and asked many questions to those who would not give me a trial version or sample use of their product.  Aside from hiring your own web developer to set up the registration process for you on your own web site, this is the solution I recommend the most. The payment system is secure and flawless and very user friendly for both you and the person registering for the event.  I have messed with a lot of WordPress plugin’s and other simple fixes and nothing even comes close to this.

10 Reasons Eventbrite is the best online event solution for youth ministry.

#1 – It’s Free

If you have an event that does not cost anything or just want to use Eventbrite without benefit of accepting online registrations, it is 100% free.  The only time is costs you anything is if you allow online registrations and someone registers online for an event that is not free.

#2 – No More Inputting Data

The BEST thing about online registrations is that the person registering for the event puts in all of their information for you.  When they register on Eventbrite, you never have to enter their information.

#3 – One Location, Two Types of Registration

Many online event registration programs will charge you for adding registrants on your own.  Eventbrite does not.  Simply enter in the information of youth that register my mail or by turning an application in to you and it keeps it right along with those that registered online.

#4 – Reports

I could write a whole post on the reports that Eventbrite offers.  With a click of a couple spots on the site you can put together a report that includes any data you want from your attendees.  You can export in to an Excel file, .CSV, or even just a text file.

They also include several pre-built reports to print off a ‘day-of’ check-in list and name badges.  If you have experience with mail merge, the possibilities are endless with the system.

#5 – Web Site Integration

If you have a youth group web site, Eventbrite offers simple code for you event to allow registrations straight from your site. It looks professional and is extremely easy to use.

#6 – They Process Payments

There are typically two fees for any online solution, unless you have one built for your site.  There is a fee for the person doing the work for you and a credit card processing fee.  Most systems use PayPal.  For accounting purposes, I strongly discourage PayPal if at all possible.

The benefit I speak of is that Eventbrite will process Payments rather than PayPal if you would like them to.  They simply collect all of the money from the online registrations and send you a check minus the fees a week after the event is over.  It is so slick and I will never go back to PayPal again.

#7 – Social Networking

They are doing alright with their ability to promote and network through social networking.  They are definitely growing each time I use them in this area.  You can easily share the event through Facebook, Twitter, and many other social networks that your youth may use.

#8 – Email Templates and Reminders

You can schedule email reminders or promo emails for just about anything.  Set-up everything the same day you set-up the event and never worry about whether or not the kids will be reminded what to bring or where to meet.

#9 – Copy Events

This is probably one the sweetest parts of using Eventbrite.  You can spend a good deal of time setting up your events, the email that are sent out, the fancy artwork, and all of the parental consent information.  When a new event comes up, you can simply copy everything from one event to another and change the information that needs to change.  Things start being more automated and you have much more time for the important parts of your ministry.

#10 – Coupon/Discount Codes

I love setting early bird deadlines on registrations or having a couple of days where the registrations are cheaper than others.  You can set up discount codes that are only good for a certain amount of time.   Get those Text Blasts going and start promoting your events!

There are TONS more benefits that you can check out by going through their site, but I just wanted to get you started.  If you have any questions or thoughts about this system, please discuss them in the comments section of this post.  I have used Eventbrite for almost a dozen events now and have had zero complaints from the registrants and from my own experience.

Check them out at www.eventbrite.com.

Enjoy!

What Is It?

In a nutshell each disc comes with 10 different games. We use them on the big screen and have kids each pick one of the three racers. When you click RACE on the game it starts an animated race that randomly picks a different winner. There are three versions of each winner so it makes it very hard for the youth to guess even if the beginning of the race looks the same as another.

How I Used It?

We had one person from each team stand up front in one of the three areas assigned to each racer.  If the team chose the winner they earned points.  We have also used the process of elimination.  Every time a team wins they get to pick again, every time they lose they sit down.  You play until one team is left.

Overall it’s a great game that can build teamwork and it’s so quick and easy if you typically use a projector and media.

We are able to offer a link to Simply Youth Ministry to buy the games at 10% off.  Actually the link will give you 10% off of anything from their site.  Get the games and let us know what you think!

I am sure I will come up with several games from this but here is the first one I will use for our next big event.  I will be sure to let you know how it goes.

Make 5 or 6 of these files, all the same size, of different saints, volunteers, etc.  Cut them so they can be put together like a puzzle.  Mix them up and have a contest.  Each team will get a different stack of papers and must put together their puzzle first.  We plan on doing it like a relay where the kids will each get one piece of paper, they tape it to a grid in the wall.  Then they run back and the next person takes another piece of paper.  Once all of the pieces are up on the wall, they can now have each person run and switch two pieces and then run back.

We plan on doing saints, priests, etc and will give bonus points for who can tell us who their person is.

I set up a little teaser picture of one of our volunteers this past week.  It was kind of funny as one of the youth became pretty excited about taking a 5 foot picture of one of the volunteers home with them.  Actually sort of creepy.

I did a picture of the Divine Mercy for you to download and check it out.

You can create these files at www.blockposters.com.

Have fun!