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

The Canadian Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies program is rounding its final corner on a very successful year, as some of our sites offer the final courses this spring to students looking to complete this program. This is good news for them as they have worked well at completing the course requirements leading to being granted the certificate.

This is also good news for those who have been thinking about registering for this program but haven’t gotten around to it. Now is the time for you! Several of our sites are offering the first year of courses beginning this summer.

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.
This two year cycle program is heading into the start of a new cycle this year at several of our site locations. Check our website at www.ccyms.ca to find dates and the site nearest to you. At the website you will find lots of information about the program, the faculty and a direct link to the institution offering the program for easy registrations.

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