Overview: This may seem like an activity for younger children, but I once made these for a Christmas party for a team of college-age peer ministers at Columbia University in New York City. When he saw them at each place, one of the peer ministers (and a star athlete) exclaimed … Read more...

OverviewThis communication activity invites young people to complete a sentence-starter as a quick and nonthreatening way to thank special people in their life. It is an ideal activity for Thanksgiving time because the participants are already focusing on giving thanks. Suggested TimeAbout 10 minutes. Group SizeThis strategy can be done … Read more...

Give your students the opportunity to research your local church—its history, its bishop, its cathedral, its work of supporting parishes and its charitable outreach. You might make a list of the tabs on your local diocesan Web site and use those as your categories of research. Some examples taken from … Read more...

OverviewThe young people will piece together a broken pot to simulate their faith story. Each piece represents a particular aspect of their history: family, parish, prayer, youth camp, and so forth. This is a good activity for sacramental preparation classes, retreats, or sessions on religious heritage and tradition. Suggested TimeAbout … Read more...

In their mind’s eye, young teens investigate the closets of their own bedroom, gather their possessions, and carry those belongings through a series of narrow doors. This guided meditation communicates the Gospel message of simple living in a way that engages the imagination and inspires the young people to actively … Read more...

Materials NeededIndex cards, markers or crayons (optional) OverviewHelp the students appreciate the season of autumn by taking a short nature walk. Before the walk begins, ask the students to be prepared to notice "the gifts of God in autumn" outdoors. Among the gifts they notice, ask them to remember one … Read more...

This activity helps young teens gain a faith-based perspective on human history by creating a calendar that highlights momentous occasions in which peace or justice has "broken out," and celebrating the lives of people who have worked for a just world. Suggested TimeThis strategy should be done over a period … Read more...

Two Sundays ago (August 10, the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time) we heard the account of Elijah’s encounter with God in the cave. This scriptural account is featured in this activity, because it is centered around the ways ordinary things can help us center on the presence of God in … Read more...

Overview The family is the first teacher, and that includes the teaching of community—how to be in a group, how to get along with others. The cooperation required in games, and the graciousness required in both winning and losing, can teach these values better than many a lecture. These are … Read more...

Overview The growth of plants, seen from a spiritual point of view, is a sign of God’s love for us and a sign of our growth in the Holy Spirit. This is true both of plants that we simply enjoy (flowers) and plants that we use for food. At any … Read more...

Overview Baptismal anniversary dates for the month should be posted in a prominent place. At an appropriate time during the month, this short ceremony could be held, perhaps as the opening prayer of the class. This ceremony will remind everyone of their dignity as children of God, and will be … Read more...

Overview This extended activity takes prayer and the young people into the streets. Using the theme of pilgrimage, the young people embark on a journey that leads them to stop and pray outside specific locations in a town, such as a hospital, a church, a jail, and a social-service agency. … Read more...

Overview The point of this relay race is to quickly find passages on Easter themes in the four Gospels. The activity is intended to increase the young teens’ skill in using the Bible and to help them become familiar with Gospel passages that recount the Resurrection of Jesus. Suggested TimeAbout … Read more...

Overview This retreat covers the entire Triduum, but you may find sections of it that will be helpful in the remaining weeks of Lent. It is designed as a one-day experience, but it can also be used as an overnight event. The retreat plan includes creative, active, and reflective activities … Read more...

Overview This activity celebrates the role of light in our life. The light in our Catholic faith is Jesus, the light of the world. The young teens have an opportunity to make a prayer candleholder as a symbol of the light of Jesus shining in their lives, and as a … Read more...

Overview Praying for forgiveness sets us free. In this prayer the young people experience this message through a ritual of reconciliation. This strategy, which is ideal for a retreat or as a conclusion to a session on forgiveness, allows the participants to dramatically ritualize both the paralysis of sinfulness and … Read more...

Overview This activity helps the young people understand that they can create their own sacred space for prayer wherever they are. It also helps them understand how symbols can help us focus our prayer. Suggested TimeThis activity can take 60 minutes over two sessions or be done over several weeks. … Read more...

Overview This strategy brings a festive slant to a standard outreach project—a visit to a nursing home for older people. Such a visit allows the young people to connect with elderly people and also gives them an opportunity to discuss how older people are cared for in the community. You … Read more...