Goals In response to the mission statement of the Office of Youth Ministry, the Archdiocesan Youth Council-Youth Ambassadors for Christ was established in March, 1994 with the first members beginning July 1994 for the following purposes:
- To represent the youth of the Archdiocese as servant leaders in various capacities and to encourage the Archdiocese to attend to their needs;
- To assist in interpreting the needs of youth and advocate for their concerns to the members of Archdiocesan leadership;
- To promote spiritual and personal growth of their peers by facilitating active participation of youth in Archdiocesan events;
- To raise Catholic leaders in the Archdiocese through the council's involvement in the development of programs for youth; and
- To draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission, and works in the faithful community of the People of God.
In the context of youth ministry, the council works to foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person in the Archdiocese. It also seeks to draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission and work of the faith community.
(Adapted from the USCCB Document Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry, 1997)
Duties
This body of representatives for parishes and Catholic high schools is called to:
- Bring the youth of the Archdiocese together to gather the needs and concerns of their peers within the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and gain input for the planning and implementation of the numerous Archdiocesan youth formation programs for younger and older adolescents;
- Meet at least three times each year as a council to share information, plans, ideas, and be mentored by key adults in the area of youth ministry/campus ministry;
- Maintain communication with youth of the Archdiocese in a variety of ways including articles written by youth to youth in the Archdiocesan Newspaper Texas Catholic Herald, social networking, special mailings and publications, personal efforts, and special focus group sessions;
- Maintain communications with Archdiocesan officials throughout the year;
- Maintain a high level of commitment and responsibility by holding each other accountable for their actions and follow through on assignments.
Qualities
While it is a given that all young people have potential, it is recognized that some special characteristics and talents would be helpful for prospective representatives. A youth council representative should:  Be nominated by a parish or Catholic high school official who can attest to the nominee's leadership skills and level of commitment;- Be an incoming high school sophomore, junior or senior for the upcoming academic year;
- Be familiar with the vision of youth ministry and be an active participant in a parish youth ministry/high school campus ministry program;
- Have the ability to listen to others and to report their concerns without judgment and be honest in communicating their own feelings;
- Be able to consider the whole Archdiocesan picture rather than the individual parish or school;
- Be an individual who is able to take responsibility for his/her attendance and commitment to areas assigned.
Nominations
2013-2014 Archiocesan Youth Council Nomination Form (coming Fall 2012)
- For more information regarding nominating a high school adolescent from either Parish or Catholic School, please contact
- Brian Johnson, Director
- Email Brian
- 713.741.8723
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