Youth Guidelines

I. Principle and Spirit

The Ministry is dubbed  JUVENTUS as the official name of the Our Lady of Sorrows Parish Youth Ministry, and its members are referred to as Juventus. Its patroness is the Our Lady of Sorrows.

Note: Juventus is the Latin word for "youth".

LOGO

Cross at the center - Chirst-centered

Heart with 7 swords - Our Lady of Sorrows (representing the 7 sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary)

Eagle - youth empowerment, focus, soaring high

Green - hope & life

Yellow - brightness & enlightenment

VISION

Aims to draw the young towards responsible participation in the life, ministry, and work of the Catholic faith community, including the society.

MISSION

To be a venue for young people to experience being with others, not only for fun and friendship, but also for authentic fellowship and faith.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

• Youth Ministry is Christ-centered
• To establish youth's relationship with Christ
• To provide opportunities for personal growth
• To encourage community involvement

1. BOARD OF ADVISERS
• adult lay leaders
• past Parish Youth Council officers
  
2. YOUTH COUNCIL
• Spiritual Director
• Parish Youth Coordinator
• Parish Youth Officers
  
• 3 representative officers per organization under PYM
  
3. YOUTH MINISTRY
• 13 to 39 years old, single
• active member of any recognized organization of the PYM whether within or outside the Parish
• must be dedicated and committed to the service

1. BOARD OF ADVISERS
• takes the roles of advisers and counselors
  
• acts as a superior/head in ministering the youth
• open to new learning from young people and does not patronize them
• empowers the youth to actively take part in the life of the Ministry
• coordinates everyday function and growth of Youth Ministry
  
2. YOUTH COUNCIL
• coordinates all Youth Ministry efforts of and within the Parish
  
• initiates and enacts all youth activities and programs
• provides opportunities for the different youth and youth groups within the Parish to come together
• aligns their efforts to the Parish Pastoral Plan
• works for the planning and implementation of all youth activities
• be aware of all youth concerns and needs in the parish and seeks ways to respond on these, making sure that everything is going on smoothly
• makes policies and rules  that will enhance a harmonious relationship between all youth members in the Parish as well as in the Vicariate.
  

1. QUALIFICATIONS

• Credibility - good moral standing; trustworthy
• Maturity - active as an officer in a religious youth organization for some time; emotionally and intellectually stable
• Spirituality - practices the Catholic faith
• Manageability - leads to unite the different youth organizations capable of solving community-related problems

2. ROLES and FUNCTIONS

• Parish Youth Leader (PYL)
• represents the youth within and for the council
• be the top responsible person for all youth concerns in the parish
• presides overall monthly and emergency meetings
• oversees the implementation of youth programs and activities
• reports the PYM activities to the Parish Pastoral Council
• serves as a link between the youth and the parish priest
• main signatory in the bankbook account of the PYM
  

• Assistant Parish Youth Leader (A-PYL)
• assists the PYL in the exercise of his/her duties
• be delegated to perform other tasks by the PYL
• takes over the meetings in the absence of the PYL
• in-charge of the apostolate programs and campus ministry like outreach programs, catechesis, etc.
  

• Secretary
• assists the PYL and A-PYL in their tasks
• takes minutes of the meetings and maintains such records and other documents as needed by the council
• documents all PYM activities and programs
• assists the PYL in reporting PYM activities to the PPC
  

• Assistant Secretary
• takes down minutes of the meetings when the Secretary cannot assume its function
• performs duties delegated by the Secretary
  

• Treasurer
• responsible for and have general charge of all funds, receipts, disbursement and book accounts of the council
• holds the bankbook in which he/she is one of the signatories
• reports and submits monthly financial statement to the council especially during meetings
• keeps a record of all incoming financial sources and outgoing expenses
  

• Assistant Treasurer
• performs duties delegated by the Treasurer
  

• Auditor
• audits all the financial and material resources of the PYM
• works with the Treasurer and sees to it that no irregularity occurs in financial disbursement
• reports to the council immediately after each audit
  

• Ecclesiastical Relations Officer (ERO)
• acts a liaison
• serves invitation letters to different youth organizations
• coordinates with other mandated organizations regarding the Ministry’s activities and programs
• looks for creative ways to announce youth programs and activities
  

• Spiritual Youth Director (SYD)
• the Parish Priest is the Spiritual Youth Director
• provides moral and spiritual guidance to the Ministry
• sees to it that youth programs are implemented
• seeks assistance from the PPC and charitable persons for PYM projects
• acts as adviser of the youth council
  

• Youth Coordinator (YC)
• assists and collaborates with the Youth Director and Leader in their tasks
• oversees and supports the implementation of the council’s plans and plans in other level (national, regional, archdiocese, etc.)
• conducts monthly visits to the youth ministry structures within the scope of the council to monitor implementation of youth ministry plans and at the same time study the needs and concerns of young people and youth ministry
• serves as a direct link with the other structures of youth ministry
  

• Committees
• Formation
• in-charge of the formative needs of the youth
• invites speakers for seminar, training, recollection, etc.
• in-charge of formation modules coming from the ACYM and VYM
• coordinates with the PPC Chairman on Formation regarding parish formation activities
• Liturgy
• in-charge of preparation for youth liturgical and para-liturgical celebrations
• provides an environment of prayers during meetings, retreats, recollections, etc.
• encourages and provides creative youth liturgies such as youth mass, youth rosary, taize prayer, etc.
• coordinates with the PPC Chairman on Worship regarding parish worship programs
  
• Service
• in-charge of the physical preparation of all parish and youth activities and programs (workshop, retreat, outing, outreach, etc.)
• together with the A-PYL, in-charge of youth service related activities as well as outreach, catechism, etc.
• assists the PPC Service Chairman in elections, disaster preparedness, relief operations, etc.
• coordinates with the PPC Chairman on Service regarding parish programs on service
  
• Business and Finance
• works in hand with the Treasurer/Assistant Treasurer and Auditor
• in-charge of finding ways to generate funds for the YM (projects, second collections, solicitations, donations)

It should be noted that no two (2) positions can be occupied by the same person at the same time from the PYL down to the ERO.
Committees can be spearheaded by the Youth Officers.

1. Election of Officers shall be held every two (2) years on the fourth (4th) Sunday of January during the PYM general assembly.
2. Elected Officers shall assume their duties after the induction, on the fourth (4th) Sunday of February.
3. The term of office of all council officers under these guidelines shall be for two (2) years with a maximum of two (2) terms.
4. The following shall compose the Electoral College who will elect the officers of the council:
• Youth Leader
• Asst. Youth Leader (for external and internal affairs)
  
• Secretary
• appointed Asst. Secretary
• Treasurer
• appointed Asst. Treasurer
• Auditor
• ERO
• Committee head (appointed)
• 3 representatives from each recognized organization under PYM
  
5. Voting will be by secret balloting and must have the ½ plus 1 vote of the Electoral College.
6. In case one (1) of the parish officers cannot attend the election, he/she can designate a representative from the youth members of the parish to vote for his behalf, provided they have a written consent from the PY Leader.
7. In case an elected officer declines, the SYD shall have the authority to validate the reason/s of the person. If proven valid, the same procedure for the election will be done for the vacant position.

1. In case of vacancy in the position of the PYL, the A-PYL shall assume the vacant position. For the vacancy in other positions, the SYD can appoint.
2. In the event that there are two (2) or more vacant positions, a discussion will be done if a special election or appointment will be made to fill in the position. But the final decision will come from the council itself.

1. PYM General Assembly
• every 4th Sunday of the month, 9 AM at the Parish Hall
2. Council Meeting
• every 2nd Sunday of the month, 9 AM at the Parish Hall
3. Emergency Meeting
• may be called upon by the PYL when the need arises

This document becomes official and effective when both our Youth Director and two-thirds of the Youth Ministry approve its content.

Any modification made to this document after its ratification will be an amendment, which is official and effective only after both our Youth Director and two-thirds of the Youth Ministry approve its content.