By: Pat Csinos, Director of C.C.Y.M.S.

We are please to announce that both the Continuing Education Department of the University of St. Michael’s College and the Western Canadian Association Catholic Youth Ministers will be hosting the first two courses (Principles of Youth Ministry and Practices of Youth Ministry) of the eight course Program over the course of 5 consecutive days.

WCACYM: SASKATOON- July 26 – 30, 2010
SMC Continuing Education- TORONTO – August 16-19, 2010

The Canadian Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies program is a well balanced, student friendly learning program that invites adults of all ages to develop skills, techniques, practical tools as well as acquire knowledge needed for creative and comprehensive ministry with youth in parish and Catholic school settings. It nurtures the personal, spiritual, and ministerial growth of leaders for ministry in today’s Church. It develops the confidence, competence, and credibility for leaders for effective ministry with youth.

This program takes place in an adult learning environment that provides opportunity to process the information that you have acquired and relate it to your own life experiences. It is very student friendly, consisting of eight, two day courses spread out over a period of two to three years so that the student can digest, process and integrate the knowledge into his/her daily life. This provides the student with the opportunity of not just acquiring the knowledge but actually taking practical steps in using that knowledge in a concrete way in his/her ministry with youth. The assignments are very practical. They are developed so that their completion provides the student with resources that can be used in his/her ministry.

This certificate program is designed specifically for people working with youth in the Catholic faith community, whether that is in a parish or a school. Students are typically, volunteers in parish youth ministry, paid parish Youth Ministry Coordinators, high school Chaplains, diocesan youth ministry staff or priests.

The program is managed by the Redemptorists in Canada and is offered at seven sites from western Canada to eastern Canada. It is available to those who are looking to develop the skills and techniques that lead to successful ministry with youth based on the comprehensive model of youth ministry. It means inviting youth to engage in all aspects on church life. It means understanding the culture of youth and how to plan events and gatherings based on their current needs. It means engaging the whole faith community in ministering to youth, not just the youth leader or coordinator.

Check our website at www.ccyms.ca to find information about the program, the faculty, course descriptions and further information about the Model of Comprehensive Youth Ministry.

Don’t miss out on this great opportunity. Check it out today!