VISION STATEMENT

“What is needed today is a church which knows how to respond to the expectations of young people. Jesus wants to enter into dialogue with them and, through his body, which is the church, to propose the possibility of a choice, which will require a commitment of their lives. As Jesus with the disciples of Emmaus, so the church must become the travelling companion of young people...” (Pope John Paul II, World Youth Day 1995, Philippines)

The church must become the traveling companion of young people—and that is what we mean by youth ministry. If, indeed, “it takes an entire village to raise a child,” then it certainly takes an entire church to journey with young people as they grapple with the Good News and respond in discipleship.

 Uganda Youth ministry Association, at its best, has the following three goals:

Goal 1

Youth Ministry ... it’s about discipleship

The first goal of Uganda youth ministry association is “to empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today.” . Young people are “searching for a noble adventure”, a compelling and challenging vision of life, and a cause worth their commitment. They hunger to hear the Good News that finds response in discipleship.

Goal 2

Youth Ministry ... it’s about connection

The second goal is “to draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic faith community.”  Young people have a hunger for connection, to be in relationship, and to belong. Family, peers, school, youth serving organizations, and church are primary connections for young people.

Goal 3

Youth Ministry ... it’s about gifts and growth

• The third goal of Uganda youth ministry association is “to support the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person.”. Adolescence is an important time for mental, spiritual, social, and physical growth. Their experiences and relationships greatly influence their healthy and positive development. Uganda youth ministry association strives to surround young people with the best possible external scaffolds—networks of caring relationships of family, school, peers, and other adults—while young people are developing their internal psychological and spiritual backbone—their values, life skills, commitments, and moral compass.
  

MISSION STATEMENT

Catechesis and Lay Ministries:

 5 "Catechesis is an education in the faith of children, young people and adults which includes especially the teaching of Christian doctrine imparted, generally speaking, in an organic and systematic way, with a view to initiating the hearers into the fullness of Christian life."⁸  6 While not being formally identified with them, catechesis is built on a certain number of elements of the Church's pastoral mission which have a catechetical aspect, that prepare for catechesis, or spring from it. They are: the initial proclamation of the Gospel or missionary preaching to arouse faith; examination of the reasons for belief; experience of Christian living; celebration of the sacraments; integration into the ecclesial community; and apostolic and missionary witness.⁹  7 "Catechesis is intimately bound up with the whole of the Church's life. Not only her geographical extension and numerical increase, but even more her inner growth and correspondence with God's plan depend essentially on catechesis” (Prologue of the Catechism of the Catholic Church ):   

• Uganda Youth Ministry Association shall support and empower Catechesis in a de-Christianized world; a world of those who grew up in the context of a Christian tradition ,but in fact live on the fringes or outside, indifferent or hostile to the visible community of believers. This catechesis shall be Pascal, Christ-centred and personal in order to facilitate a personal conversion. Personal conversions yield a transformation of life and in, the larger context; lend hope to the possibility of transforming the world. By promoting lay ministries, UYMA shall form the foundation in which further personal conversion becomes possible, for both the ministering and those receiving the ministering.

• UYMA shall work with vocation directors to occasionally inform the youth about the numerous existing religious orders and congregations. The increasing decline in the number of youth committing themselves to religious life is not only a manifest of de-Christianization, but also of the ignorance among the youth about religious life. Even those who have the desire to join religious life, fail to discern this vocation properly. 

• Due to the challenges of secularism and relativism, UYMA shall aim at complete formation of the catholic youth in their Christian and social characters, to leave them so well formed that they could readily govern themselves. More catholic Youth are crossing to various upcoming churches, on grounds that the Catholic Church is “rigid and hard”. UYMA catechesis shall aim at informing, educating and guiding the youth about the most perplexing practices of their faith. An effort shall be made to explain why the Catholic Church takes certain positions on particular controversial social issues.

• UYMA shall foster and empower the practice of liturgical and personal prayer (more emphasis on the Rosary) among the youth, in schools and parishes.   Providence wants to provide the church with a Cord-Marian youth now, because they bring to church a life informed and steeped in the Most tender love and stunning beauty of Mary’s virginal Heart, in these days when, more than ever before, the adulteration of love and beauty are the two standards used by the devil to ensnare the unthinking young people. 

 Foster the Practice of Bible and scripture reading among the Youth

Christians need to place themselves humbly before the Lord and examine themselves…To what extent has the WORD OF GOD become more fully the SOUL OF THEOLOGY and the inspiration of the whole of Christian living, as 'Dei Verbum' sought? John Paul II, Tertio Millennio Adveniente, November 6, 1994, #36

There is an urgent need for the emergence of a new generation of apostles ANCHORED firmly in the WORD OF CHRIST. Benedict XVI, L’Osservatore Romano English edition, March 1, 2006, p3.

Continue on your way with renewed determination…to BRING THE BIBLE CLOSER to the life of the People of God, so that it will be able to address in an adequate way the unheard of challenges that modern times pose… [And]…become in this secularized world, not only the soul of theology, but also the source of spirituality and vigor of the faith of all believers in Christ. Benedict XVI, Address to Pontifical Biblical Institute, Vatican City , October 26, 2009

Uganda Youth Ministry Association, shall provide catechist manuals, with handouts, to give youth a POWER TRIP through the Bible and the Catechism that include:

• Historically pivotal lives of saints
• Fun and engaging interactive learning
• Dramas, games and crafts 

The packages shall meet the standards for comprehensive ministry with the Youth set forth in the Vision and shall be a creative option for Catechisms and Scripture reading..

Uganda Youth Ministry Association shall respond to the eight needs in regards to the spiritual formation and catechetical instruction of the Catholic Youth in Uganda.

1. Starting up Catholic Youth ministry groups in Parishes, Primary Schools, Secondary schools, Colleges, Universities and other Institutions of Higher learning.
2. Supporting and empowering such groups where they already exist.
3. More integration of scripture in catechetical instruction.
4. Conducting lessons and instructions for confirmation candidates at request.
5. Providing a program that makes learning scripture and the catechism of the Catholic Church both interesting and fun.
6. Organizing workshops, retreats, competitions, play and prayer days in parishes and schools
7. Publishing and distributing a monthly newsletter covering Youth events.
8. Use of Technology like computers, the internet, radio and television to bring catechesis and scripture closer to the Youth.

UYMA PACKAGES

1.       POWER TRIP :

 This  package works for O and A’ Level students(youth of ages 12-18). By a series of  steps, the student is given a trip through the Bible and The Catechism of the Catholic Church. A manual for one step is provided  every week. Also included in the trip are:

• Historically pivotal lives of saints
• Fun and engaging interactive learning
• Dramas, games and crafts 

2.       HERITAGE BOWL:

This works for upper primary school, youth of ages 11-13. In most cases this is the age when the youth are preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. The youth are guided through the entire Bible using the comic book style Picture Bible, Chariot Victor Publishing, and ends with a College Bowl type contest.

3.       ISSUES NIGHTS:

 This package works for students in Institutions of Higher learning, as well as young professionals who are already on jobs. It’s a time for an open discussion on a chosen theme, based on the catholic faith.  The Chaplain, any religious leader, a trained Youth leader or any informed Christian is invited to officiate and guide the discussion.  Useful resources about the issue/theme are provided to the youth. Pro-life activities can also be included in this package.

4.       CHM (see Him); CATHOLIC HOME MINISTRY:

 This is ministry offered to children in their home, at the request of the parent or guardian. It’s convenient for children of all ages and runs for as long as the parent requests.

5.       LORD’S MEAL:

An adaptation of the Sabbath Day meal of our Jewish elders, this annual event is an elegantly served formal dinner on Saturday evening. This package facilitates a greater chance of interaction among the youth, youth ministers, youth chaplains, as well as parents.

6.       “PLAY and PRAY DAY”:

This is an annual event for the youth to engage in games, music, dance and drama; in a religious context.

Note: Adoration is one of the unique features of all our programs. Starting or ending the youth gathering with Adoration, provides opportunity for the Holy spirit, the real Teacher, to work in souls and enables the young people to not only learn about, but also experience Jesus----transfer knowledge from the head to the heart. However during the months of May and October, attention is given to group recitation of the Rosary.

It’s our desire that each young person possesses a Bible. We shall periodically offer Bibles at discount, to the  youth, in partnership with Uganda Bible society

·         We shall periodically publish free handout religious messages for youth in member parishes and schools.

·         YOU TURNS youth ministry materials shall always be available for parents, youth ministers and pastors, to purchase at a reasonably low cost. Find out more about these materials on www.youturns.org.

UYMA MOTO: “………………..for a personal conversion and transformation”

UYMA CHANT:   

    LEADER                              ALL

In Christ we are                 Friends

In Christ we have               Fun

In Christ we have               Faith

In Christ we go                    Forward

……………………………..to love and serve the Lord.

0utreach timetable:

  Wednesdays: 9am to 5pm(Parishes)

   Saturdays:    2pm to 5pm(Schools)

    Sundays:     2pm t0 5pm(Homes)

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Youth who come through Heritage Bowl and Power Trip possess SKILL FOR A LIFETIME of exploring the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church as a means of furthering their growth and knowledge.

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