21st Century Catechist Presented by Michael Fusco Using the tools of today to experience Christ
Short Bio Michael Fusco Over 20 years of Youth Ministry Experience OSV Consultant and sales rep. Current DRE for Saint Helen s in Westfield, NJ Owner of Summit Soundz Entertainment LLC Married with TEENAGERS!
Adolescent Prayer
What is a 21st Century Catechist? Adapt to different learning styles Use technology for your own prep - Learn it! Use technology in the classroom as an aid Identify how the world looks at your kids and use the same practices Give your children an experience of Christ
Today Inspire You - Think differently about how you teach Give you real solutions to use Answer questions Resources - www.christ2chaos.org Drive kids to have a relationship with Christ
Program Questions What do you use now? Spiral Curriculum or Thematic book? Large Groups? Does the parish have a youth minister for this age? Do you meet in the home or in the classroom? Do you do any kind of service with them? Required?
Program Questions What are your biggest fears? How much time are you willing to spend on this type of programing? - To Change??
Digital Natives Only know tech resources Smartphones, tablets, laptops, The Internet Lack of interpersonal skills Communicate instantly Multi-Media is the norm for learning and fun
Understanding the Kid Before you can successfully teach, sell or communicate to any target market you must understand how that group lives, thinks, behaves and buys. The Brand Child Study by Martin Lindstrom with Patricia B. Seybold, Thanet Press Ltd.,Margate The Kid s Market by James U. Mc Neal Ph.D,Paramount Marketing Publishing Street Trends by Janine Lopiano-Misdom & Joanne De Luca, Harper
Meet the New Kids The age of compression. Getting older at younger age Tweens are ages 8-14. Different than the last generation of kids. Grow up faster, more connected, more direct and more informed. Have more power, money, influence and attention They have financial savvy. They are wired.
Who are Tweens Tweens spend $150 billion a year in the U.S. Tweens spend $1 trillion globally. Tweens influence parents to spend $150 billion. Tweens influence their parents purchases of major items such as cars, phones, clothes and homes.
At What Cost? Tweens have less imagination & creativity. Tweens demand immediate gratification. Tweens have a tendency to be insecure and depressed - easily teased - undeveloped sense of humor - vulnerable. Tweens are highly motivated by fear and often agitated by fear based marketing. Tweens have trouble with verbal communication and face to face confrontation. Act differently in different environments.
The Six Core Values Marketing to Tweens Brand Child by Martin Lindstrom Thanet Press Ltd. Great Britain
The Mirror Effect Marketing to Tweens Brand Child by Martin Lindstrom Thanet Press Ltd. Great Britain
4 Groups of Tweens Edges Persuaders Followers Reflexives
Keep it Catholic Use current online resources. www.osv.com Online has leader site and user site Match Catechetical information with technology - LIVE Bible Create your own web site - make it interactive, Use a Blog Make sure your catechetical information conforms with the USCCB. YouTube - Outside da Box - Skit Guys Catholic videos This is not school! Make it a true ministry - Positive EXPERIENCE OF Christ!
Lessons Learned Harness The Energy Invite The Key Players Something For Everyone Let Them Play Understand He-ing and She-ing
C2C Tips for Classroom This is NOT school. This is a ministry. To form them in our Catholic faith. Give them a POSITIVE experience of Christ Develop a relationship with Jesus - Prayer, understanding, serving others Develop real relationships with the students. Ask questions about their lives and use it in everyday teaching situations. Don t expect them to care. Most do not have a regular worship routine. It is our job to make them care. If they fail religious education it has no impact on their lives. College, sports, online. Ask ourselves: are our teaching methods, times, regularity and subject matter are out of sync with their lives? How can we better connect faith values and issues with their present day life?
C2C Tips for Classroom Poll students on favorite books, music, TV shows, movies, sport teams. Ask questions! Look for connections to their lives. Play games based on curriculum Role play, short dramas Be interactive, have them read, use cell phones to look up bible passage or to find answer online
C2C Tips for Classroom Play pop songs and use for prayer, discussion (http://www.cornerstonemedia.org/) Have students bring instruments in to play songs for class (prayer time) Use your publishers website for kids to log into on smart phone during class. Have them pray for each other and with each other. Introduce different forms of prayer - Explain it!
Service Connect classroom catechesis to real world experiences. Kids must make the connection themselves. Catholic Connection! Forms a pattern of giving Make a service project an opportunity to teach! Set it up with scripture, a short video. Explain what they are going to do and why. Build in a time to recap the experience. Small group session or a short Q&A after the event.
Service Work with local agencies. Many have age appropriate jobs for your group. Be a Resource for your Tweens! Food Bank, Senior Citizen Homes,Catholic Charities, New Eyes For The Needy, Pet Adoption programs (valuing life!) United Way. Help parish seniors with home chores, Military programs, walk-a-thons, BE CREATIVE! Talk to your DRE about class or group service!
Tools of Today Use a communications program - FlockNote - http://www.flocknote.com/ Use Text Messaging service like WebSMS http://www.message-media.com/web-sms.html Share files by using Google Calendar, documents Email Challenge or scavenger hunt Power Point - interactive games YouTube, GodTube - Review before showing
Tools of Today Create a Blog Develop a Facebook and Twitter Page Text Message Challenge (use a service if at all possible) Android and iphone Apps - Confession, All sorts of things Movies, music - Visual, interactive Game Show type of interactive fun - Be creative!
Resources www.christ2chaos.org www.osv.com www.calltodiscipleship.com http://cmdnet.org/ http://www.flocknote.com/ http://www.message-media.com/web-sms.html
Resources The Skit Guys Outside Da Box - YouTube Catholic Quiz Show - Saint Mary s Press (Power Point on a flash drive) www.smp.org
Q&A Ask questions relating to your ministry Please take time to talk to me after with specific questions Stop by the Our Sunday Visitor booth for books, bibles and videos.
21st Century Catechist Presented by Michael Fusco Using the tools of today to experience Christ