Youth culture is changing rapidly in America. If we want to reach young people, we need to meet them where they are at. If we want our young people to follow Jesus, we need to love them and teach them as Jesus did. We need to enter into their lives and disciple them. Jesus met the most basic needs of his disciples, we need to do the same. This is the purpose of Impact.
There is no “one size fits all” method. Each group is going to be different. You may meet for a series every two weeks (each group will start this way), then a couple weeks later do a service project together, go to a sporting event together, have a potluck dinner with all the families in the group, pray the rosary together, do a Bible study, etc. There is an endless amount of options and ideas for things you can do with your group.
It is important to keep in mind that the purpose of these groups is to help the youth develop in four different areas of formation: Human, Intellectual, Spiritual, and Pastoral. In addition to learning about the faith (Intellectual), we aim to help the youth develop social/life skills that will better equip them for real life world living (Human), how to pray and find their spirituality (Spiritual), and how to give back in service and care (Pastoral). By doing this, we empower young disciples to change our local community and change the world.
Impact is very different from traditional CCD classes, or even the conventional "youth group model". The mentor to youth ratio should average around 1:4. This allows the mentors to really enter into the lives of the young people they are mentoring. Impact is not a "class" on Christianity, it is an apprenticeship in Christian living. Our philosophy (supported by years of evidence) is that the faith is more often caughtthen taught. Just as you may know your child's coach, or music instructor, you will also know your teen's mentor. Large group events for the families of everyone in the group are encouraged, so you may even get to know the other parents of youth in the group and build a community of your own!
As a parent, you will be in fairly regular contact with your teen's mentors, either via email or a messaging program such as Remind, Group Me, or Slack. This is to ensure that you are in the loop and updated with everything taking place. Before the Impact Group is launched, a small meeting will be held between the parents, the mentors, and the youth minister to go over the logistics of launching a group.
Know that you are in our prayers!
Q: How many people are in an Impact group?
A: 2 Adult mentors and 4-8 youth are in each group.
Q: When and where do Impact Groups meet?
A: The answer varies. It is up to the individual groups/mentors/parents to determine what is best for the group. It is recommended that new groups meet regularly at an easily accessible location, such as the parish, library, local coffeeshop, etc. Groups will meet in the evening on a weeknight that works for everyone in the group, or during the weekend such as Saturday mornings or Sunday evenings.
Q: How do the mentors become qualified?
A: St. Bonaventure Parish will provide training for all of our mentors before the Impact groups launch. All mentors will go through FBI background checks, as well as go through all state and diocesan clearance requirements before working with minors.
Q: Is Impact for Junior High or High School?
A: Both! If Impact is done during the Junior High years, some of the Confirmation preparation will be done in the Impact group. A few other requirements, such as attending a Confirmation retreat, will also be required before receiving the Sacrament.
More Questions? Feel free to contact us and we will be sure to get you the answers you need!