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Introducing Catholic Youth Parramatta's
ELEMENTS

“Elements” is a new online initiative by Catholic Youth Parramatta which offers content for youth ministers to use in their respective parishes, schools and movements. It will be distributed monthly.
We look forward to seeing how Elements grows with you. If you wish to discuss the content of this initiative further, contact Qwayne on qguevara@parra.catholic.org.au.

Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues: hence, in the soul in which this virtue does not exist there cannot be any other virtue except in mere appearance. - St Augustine

Striving for a Life of Virtue

In our first edition of Elements, we focus on the Cardinal Virtues and how the pursuit of these good habits encourage us to live life to the fullest and helps us to grow in holiness. As young people, we are called to be courageous and to not be afraid to strive for high ideals. Therefore, we are given guidance on which virtues to pursue to assist us in our life towards holiness.

It has been said that virtues are gifts from God and they allow us to have a closer relationship with Him. Virtues need to be practiced in order for them to grow. The three most important virtues are called theological virtues because they come from God and lead to God. These are faith, hope and love. The cardinal virtues are human virtues, acquired by education and good actions. Cardinal comes from cardo, the Latin word for hinge, meaning “that on which other things depend.”

According to the Catechism, human virtues are firm attitudes, stable dispositions, habitual perfections of intellect and will that govern our actions, order our passions, and guide our conduct according to reason and faith. They make possible ease, self-mastery, and joy in leading a morally good life. The virtuous man is he who freely practices the good. (CCC 1804)

Young people are invited to take up the challenge to pursue virtues in their every days lives as it helps to form a good conscience and to choose what is true, good and beautiful.

Below are links to online videos we recommend. These are 2 to 3 minutes snippets which introduces the virtues in practical ways.

PRUDENCE | JUSTICE | TEMPERANCE | COURAGE

Here are some other links which take to you to existing lesson plans and guides to help you generate ideas of what your meeting could look like:
1. St Mary's Press: Lesson Plan
2. Youth Worker Movement: The Life Of A Disciple In The World
3. Diocese of Baker

Holy Role Models
Role models are important to share in ministry as they provide examples on how to live a Christian life. This section will feature a resource about the life of a saint who exemplifies the message of our topic for the month.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ST JOHN PAUL II

One Diocese, One Mission
Every month, we will highlight different youth leaders in our Diocese and their respective ministries. This will be a chance for you to hear about the work of other ministers and get connected. If you wish to be featured in this section, send us an email and we will meet you for an interview! Click below to email Qwayne, our Local Engagement Leader.

GET CONNECTED

Prayer
Prayer is an essential part of your meetings. In this section we suggest a prayer or a creative way to engage with prayer to encourage young people to deepen their prayer lives. This may include songs, guided prayers or meditations. This month we share with you a simple one that relates to the theme of virtues. Some ideas include: creating a space for reflection with some quiet time, read the prayer as a group or draw out key sections of the prayer which stand out

A PRAYER ON VIRTUES

Get Involved or Take Action!

Here we highlight initiatives, events or actions that your young people can participate in. This month we highlight the CYP Annual Sports Day as a means to encourage fellowship and networking within the Diocese.

COME TO LIFTED SPORTS DAY 2017

Get Your Game On: Saints JeoPARODY

This section will feature an ice breaker game or activity that you could use to help facilitate interaction between your youth. This month we share an interactive game which requires a projector or screen. The game can be used as an Ice Breaker at the beginning or used as a lesson to get to know Saints who lived virtuous lives. Following the game, you may like to encourage your young people to research a saint's life that they do not know. It might also be useful for you to also learn a little about each saint featured in the file as background information.

Click the photo for the PowerPoint file. Instruction here.

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Catholic Youth Parramatta – 51-59 Allawah Street, Blacktown NSW 2148

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Catholic Youth Parramatta - Agency for Youth - Catholic Diocese of Parramatta · 51-59 Allawah Street · Blacktown, NSW 2148 · Australia

Introducing Catholic Youth Parramatta's ELEMENTS

Striving for a Life of Virtue

Get Your Game On: Saints JeoPARODY

Introducing Catholic Youth Parramatta's
ELEMENTS