Partnering with Parents to Bring Home the Faith!
The recent research on passing on our faith is clear: Parents matter . . . a lot!
Consider this statement from Dr. Christian Smith, principal researcher for the National Study of Youth and Religion: “The best social predictor, although not a guarantee, of what the religious and spiritual lives of youth will look like is what the religious and spiritual lives of their parents do look like. (from Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers, p. 261)
Dr. Smith also makes the following observation about the Catholic Church: “It appears that the relative religious laxity of most U.S. Catholic teenagers significantly reflects the relative religious laxity of their parents. (from Soul Searching, p. 216-7)
Our call to action is clear: If we want to more effectively engage our young people in faith, we MUST focus our energies on engaging their parents. Strong Catholic Families: Strong Catholic Youth embraces a renewed emphasis:
Toward ultimately placing families at the center of the church’s life and mission!
Additional background information may be found:
A Family Perspective in Church and Society
Forming Young Disciples: Are We Asking the Right Questions?
To help support these efforts the Diocese of Camden is pleased to sponsor the Strong Catholic Families: Strong Catholic Youth initiative, developed by the National Federations for Catholic Youth Ministry, and presented in partnership with the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership, the National Catholic Educational Association, and the National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministers.
Are you interested in more information about the process?
Paradigm Shift & 3 Sound Bites
Summary of 4 Step Process
Follow up Sessions – What’s Next?
Click here to view a 4 minute video about the process from NFCYM.
Diocese of Camden Strong Catholic Families: Strong Catholic Youth Planning Team
Andres Arango, Bishop’s Delegate for Hispanic Ministry and Evangelization
Mary Boyle, Superintendent of Catholic Schools
Sr. Kathy Burton SSJ, Co-Director of Faith Formation and Family Life Ministries
Gregory Coogan, Director of Youth, Young Adult and Campus Ministries
Mary Lou Hughes, Co-Director of Faith Formation and Family Life Ministries
To schedule a parent session, please contact Martha A. Scutte at 856-583-2909.