Summer already??? Believe it or not – summer 2010 is upon us complete with a flurry of proms, graduations, summer trips and of course planning for next semester! As we say goodbye to the seniors and hello to a brand new group of rising freshman, take time to remember why you started youth ministry in the first place. Simply put – teens! This summer should be filled with opportunities to connect, laugh and pray with teens. Be surprised by their joy, wisdom and desire to know God. Seek out one new teen to reach out to each week this summer. We pray that the contents of this Life Support box helps you spend less time in your office and more time hanging out with young people this summer. Take some time to unpack the box and get familiar with the contents. As always, know that you are in our prayers. If there is anything we can do to support your ministry, please let us know. Below is a short description of everything you will find in this box:

Liturgy Planning Guide

This book is designed to enhance your youth-focused liturgies with music and teen-friendly homilies. Be sure to share this valuable resource with your music ministry as well as the priests. This books covers the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time (August 1, 2010) through the Solemnity of Christ the King (November 21, 2010).

Curriculum Guide: Person of Christ Semester

In this valuable resource you will find eight catechetical Life Night outlines to help you plan your Person of Christ semester. This book (along with the Curriculum Guides publishes over the past 3 years) follows the USCCB’s framework for high school catechesis.

Video Support #10

A DVD filled with videos for the teens, for training of Core Members and just for fun! Each of these valuable videos can be used in Life Nights, Retreat, Core training, or socials with the teens. Take time to look through the DVD and get creative on how to incorporate them into your program!

Spotlight: Volume 10

This resource is designed to keep you informed about what is going on in youth ministry as well as provide social and issue nights to use in semester planning. This volume has two Issue Life Nights and one social Life Night. Filled with valuable information, this resource is meant to be shared among your Core team!

Life Teen Core Training: Life Nights

One of the most requested resources is anything that can be used to train and form a healthy and solid Core Team. Well, here it is! This is the second of eight Core Training books, each designed to help youth ministers form and train their Core Team. This edition covers the basics of Life Nights: Gather, Proclaim, Break and Send.

In Reverse. A Life Teen Retreat Resource

Tired of the typical teen retreat? How about doing it in reverse? This weekend retreat breaks open the Our Father, but in reverse order. From protecting us from evil to worshiping the hallowed name of God, this retreat is a powerful journey into the heart of God. Adapt this retreat resource to meet the needs of your teens this fall!

R Father. A new book by Mark Hart

Look at the Lord’s Prayer in a new way with Mark Hart’s newest book. Each of the fourteen ways Hart suggests for responding to the Lord’s Prayer begins with the letter “R”-from “remembrance” to “repentance” to “reliance” to “resolve.” This book will give readers a new appreciation for this profound yet simple prayer as well as a deeper understanding of the love that our Father pours out on us, His children.

In this box you will also find:

• The Saving One. A new CD from Starfield
• Marian Grace. A beautiful CD of ancient hymns
• Life Teen Flying Football
• “Give It Away Now: Thirst For Change” promotion poster