Pizza & Side Hugs

Episode 23 - Cause Dialogue Looking for something specific?02:04- What's This Topic All About?03:44- What is Catechesis? #Echo06:40- Set the Tone (& the space!)10:14- Follow Your Own Expectations12:59- Ask GreatQuestions17:30- We Promise...You're Qualified19:28- Don't Seek the "Right" Answer22:23- Speak the Truth in Love24:32 - Continue the ConversationShareables Jesus asked questionsof his apostles! Asking questions is a good thing! Making people think is a good thing! Flocknoteis STILL AWESOME. If you haven't seen the wonderful things they do to help you communicate to your flock (your parish), you owe it to yourself to check it out. We love the idea of having small group bins that hold papers, pens, reminders, etc. Check out these deep colorful bins or these shallow paper-holding bins.  Paul thinks he owns this podcast. You're Qualified. Julia wants to be a tour guide. #SheBack #Echo #Catechesis #CauseDialogue #DistractionFree #AskQuestions

Episode 22 - Partner With Parents Looking for something specific?01:27 - We All Have Parents...03:30 - Parent Memoires05:26- You're Not A Secret Agent: Meet the Parents13:30- Compliment & Complement Parents17:38- Be Family Friendly in Scheduling20:54- Brag On the Kids!26:45- Parents Aren't (Shouldn't Be) Intimidating28:07- Honor The Parent's Desires30:39- Safety first...!34:40- Never Side With Kids Over Parents35:40- TRUST ParentsShareables Did you know we love Flocknote? Do you know they wrote an article about how Paul & Julia used their platform? Check out this article on How to Empower Small Group Leaders Using Flocknote.

Episode 21- Show Up Looking for something specific?01:03 - We're starting a volunteer series!03:18 - We're also writing a book05:16 - Principle One: Show Up07:23 - Lasting vs. Fleeting Effect09:44 - Incarnational Ministry11:13 - Be Prepared & Give Thought17:14 - Know What's Going on& Have a Backup Plan22:43 - Consistency is Necessary30:08 - No Empty Promises!31:53 - Have an Impact37:10 - Prayer & Affirmation39:36 - Show Up for Parents43:34 - Angelic Voices Singing Show Notes: https://dol-in.org/news/episode-21-show-up

EPISODE 20 SHOW NOTES With Special Guest: Mike PatinLooking for something specific?00:19 - History of Personal Ministry02:55 - Entering into a Community05:17 - Struggles Encountered in Ministry08:25 - Finding Support in Struggles13:52 - Importance of Christian Community & Accountability Partners24:37 - Don't Neglect Prayer26:05 - Make Space for God with Regularity34:12 - How Do You Stay "Fresh" in MinistryShareable Mike Patin Quotes "You can't give what you don't have" "If my ministry is not flowing out of my relationship with God, then it's not good ministry. If ministry is the only way I'm sustaining and nurturing my relationship with God, then I get in trouble" "Make time to slow down the clock and give God the opportunity. Too often I have gone into retreat with expectations that were unfair and I couldn't just be with it for God." Do not wait for community to be created for you. Create an intentional support community for yourself." "I can fool myself on intentionality unless I have an accountability 'somebody'." Interested in Connecting with Mike Patin?mikepatin.com

EPISODE 19 SHOW NOTES With Special Guest: Edmund MitchellLooking for something specific?00:21- Special Guest: Edmund Mitchell01:33- What We'll Cover Today02:12- Edmund's Short Life Story09:43- Current Ministry Heirarchy11:14- What is a Clear Path (& Stages) of Discipleship Seekers, Disciples, Apostles Win, Build, Send Encounter Grow, Serve/Witness Membership Maturity, Ministry, Mission Pre-catechumenate, catechumenate, mistagogy 17:25- Growing Disciples At Their Own Pace21:00- Bringing People In that are Out25:20- Who's Your Audience in Proclaiming?27:12- Get into the Mind of an Outsider29:38- Personal Encounter (It's Okay if People are Unhappy!)31:31- Good Habits to Develop to Lead34:18- Retreat Experiences36:41- Discipleship 101 Shareables (resources)  Here is a document to help you evaluateif you're reaching your goals fo encountering, growing and serving in each season of the year! Edmund referenced a book by Sherry Weddell: "Forming Intentional Disciples." This book talks about the proess of evangelization that people go through and could be really helpful for those starting out.  Edmund has his own website, check it out here. They also highlighted a post he wrote about Discipleship 101.  During college, Edmund read "Purpose Driven Youth Ministry" co-authored by Rick Warren and Doug Fields. It's a prtoestant version of the catechumenal model. Great for vocation and mission and bringing people into the church! Curious about archery tag? We were too, Check out the video! Fun Fact: Edmund was one of the original podcasters on Catholic Youth Ministry Podcastbut now has a new show called The Show with Edmund Mitchell!

PIZZA & SIDEHUGS EPISODE 18 SHOW NOTES Looking for something specific?00:30- If our Podcast was an Animal...03:15- Paul got a new title, Julia got a new name!05:07- "If one person shows up, it's worth it" ... or is it not?10:18- Safety & Attendance Stories14:50 - What Numbers Should We Track?16:50- The Long View: Why Numbers Matter18:18- You Are Not (always) The Problem22:39- How to Use Numbers31:17- What is a Healthy Average Attendance?39:18- When Your Supervisor Wants Numbers...41:13- How to Make Them Grow42:38- How to Effectively Take Attendance51:58- Youth Ministry Point System Shareables (resources)  Chris Wesley has a blog article, Let's Play the Numbers Game: What You Should be Measuring and What it all Means," has a lot of helpful pointers, give it a skim!  Looking for a better attendance sheet? Check out this template that has built-in formulas for your group! Jake mentioned his way of taking attendance: Planning Center is a helpful site to house data in ministry. It also has the ability to track attendance and allow kids to check in from various devices. Both are awesome tools! Think you can leverage a volunteer to help you input some data? Here's a sample job description to help you get started with what you're asking of them! 

PIZZA & SIDEHUGS EPISODE 17 SHOW NOTES With Special Guest: Pat Millea Looking for something specific? 00:15- Paul & Pat's History04:12- Pat's Current Parish Ministry07:15- End Goal After Confirmation 09:54- Involvement Outside of Youth Ministry11:26- Liturgical (& Sacramental) Involvement16:52- Make them Leaders 18:21- Confirmation Interviews 25:44- Christ Calls us to be Active 28:46- Peer-to-Peer Ministry 31:32- Good Ministry Is More Work33:42 - Potential Shift in Ministry Style35:53- Recognize Your Wins38:00- Baby Steps Are Okay - Just. Keep. Doing. It! Shareables (resources)  Paul referenced "wins" in your ministry. If you're looking for about that, listen to our first episode- we go into all the details of wins in ministry! Paul's also talks about Kenna's episode (Pat's wife) about accompaniment. Take a listen tothat episode here! Pat's parish, St. Michael Catholic Churchis in Prior Lake, Minnesota. Check out what they have going on in their parish. Here's a link to their high school ministry instagram too! The classic "M" picture that Pat talks about seems to be popular...even tothis bride! Try sitting down with your confirmation candidates before the Sacrament and evaluate various interests to help keep them involved. Here's a template to get you started!

EPISODE 16 SHOW NOTES With Special Guest: Kenna MilleaLooking for something specific?01:07- The Right Approach to Accompaniment03:23 - Non-verbal Communication is KEY to Making Kids Feel Safe06:04- Be Self-Aware Before Talking With Youth 10:25- Understanding Accurate Empathy 16:46- Practicing Accurate Empathy (& Humility)19:22- Role Playing Ministry Scenarios21:20 - "Go-To" Questions to Start Deep, Open Conversation What was "the thing" that lead you to come here? What needs to happen at the end of this to make it worthwhile? Shareables (resources)  This podcast builds off our Third Podcast, The Art of Accompaniment. Take a listen if you're looking for even more ways to journey with your youth. Pope Francis calls us to this accompaniment in his apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium- give it a read.

  EPISODE 15 SHOW NOTES Looking for something specific?00:25- Julia has a new job...and almost a new name!03:35 - Car Wash Fundraiser Fail...05:15- Youth Ministry's Role in Fundraising07:09- Stewardship & the Current Culture of Giving10:29- Establish & Share Your Youth Ministry Mission15:15- Tips for an Effective Fundraiser (ex: Car Wash)21:30- Creative Fundraising Ideas25:30- Starting an Endowment27:21- More Creative Fundraising Ideas31:38- Jake Found A Treasure Map Under the Table32:22- Include Your Family34:09- Strategic Fundraising37:35- Fundraising Follow Up41:24 - Low Income Parish Fundraising Shareables (resources)  Here is Julia's task list for the three fundraisers they ran for the National Catholic Youth Conference. Use it as a jump off point to create one of your own!  If you want to have people sign up to help with fundraising, use a form like this at your first meeting to have them choose items on your task list! If your alumni had a positive and impactful experience at an event, think about asking them to contribute funds. Here is a sample of a letter you can send for alumni appeal. If you're looking for a way to set up a fundraising platform for your whole group or for a specific project, check out CherryFish as an option for your parish.

Show Notes: https://dol-in.org/news/episode-14-mission-trip-follow-up Looking for something specific?02:21 - Mission Trip Stories05:40 - Auxier, KY History08:03 - Preparing to Return Home...Before You Leave10:36 - Keeping Parents in the Loop While You're Gone13:10 - Patron Saint of Your Trip15:14 - Preparing to Return Home...During the Trip18:15 - Develop a One Minute Witness21:43 - What’s the Service Action Plan?22:21 - Making an Effective “Letter to Self”25:52 - Hold a Mission Night30:02 - Foster Community Going Forward35:10 - Invite the Parish in37:06 - End in Prayer with Alumni39:20 - Give Thanks to Those that Helped

Show Notes: https://dol-in.org/news/episode-13-games Looking for something specific?01:41 - Failed Games12:21- Why we Play Games21:29 - Things to be Aware of During Games27:27 - Strategically Varying the Type of Games35:39 - What if Youth Don't  Want to Play38:40 - Tactics to make your games work  45:38 - Are Prizes Needed?     50:25 - Our Favorite Games

Show Notes: dol-in.org/news/episode-12-talking-about-current-events Looking for something specific?0:00 - Jake on the Noblesville School Shooting2:20 - Current or Tragic Events in Ministry4:00 - Events that Affected us as Teens8:57 - Defining & Recognizing Current Events 14:28 - Current Events Can Get Messy17:48 - Include Parents (resources!)21:16 - Reach Out to Schools24:11 - Don't Always Be “Reactionary” 26:07 - Equip Volunteers For Conversation28:39 - Tie into Larger Picture of Catholic Trials (Pray the Psalms)36:49 - Five Levels of Engaging Current Events43:52 - “10 Reasons Why” as a Ministry Event56:20 - Holding a Ministry Night Does NOT solve it all!

Show Notes: http://www.dol-in.org/news/episode-11-how-to-say-thank-you Looking for something specific?1:40 End of the Year Stories7:44 Why should we say thank you? (It’s just polite)9:47 Affirm People for Cooperating with God13:38 Whom should we be thanking in our ministry?15:05 Be SPECIFIC and personal in your thanks20:49 When should you say thank you23:00 Volunteer Survival Kit25:28 Up Front Thanks30:16 Ideas for saying thank you37:43 Long Time Celebrations!

Looking for something specific?1:33 - Who is in Generation Z? 3:00 - Jake's College Legacy: Body Painting....5:14 - Julia lived in a closet Freshman year7:25 - Is it Youth Ministry's Responsibility to Check in with College Students?10:25 - Continuing Discipleship through College Transitions/Decisions13:54 - Equipping Teens Before They Go16:12 - "So College" Event with Decision-Making Prompts, Contact Cards & Do-Good Books19:42 - Getting Them to "Opt In" Before they Leave23:25 - Specific Communication Tactics25:49 - Holy Hour Intercession!27:40 - Invite/Include the Parish27:58 - Get up & Go Visit!30:30 - Take Advantage While They're on Break35:14 - Not Everyone Goes to College37:38 - Challenge them to Grow

Looking for something specific? 2:10 When No One Shows Up Stories 8:00 Getting People to Show Up to New/Different Events 10:30 Advertise Ministry Differently (Snapchat!) 14:17 Mentality of Hospitality 18:29 Advanced Notice is KEY 19:47 Syncing Ministry Calendars Straight to Phones 22:54 Who Needs to Have the Info? 24:45 Examine Your Processes 25:39 Save the Dates are Your Friend 27:25 Create "The Purple Cow"  34:34 The Ministry Stretch (Creep) 37:52 It's about the Relationship 

Looking for something specific?2:26 Failed Witness Talks Stories5:33 Difference between Witness Talk & "Teaching" talk10:31 Step 1 - Pray14:38 Most Commonly Missed Parts of a Talk16:32 Step 2 - Understand Your Role, Know Environment18:43 Step 3 - Prep Time!22:42 Why Practicing is Worth it26:59 Step 4 - Ask Questions28:09 Step 5 - Organization & Outline33:06 Step 6 - Sharing Your Story36:26 Make sure your story is resolved38:23 How to Help Prepare Someone Else to Give a Witness Talk

Looking for something specific?0:41 We have another guest: Nick Vergatos1:20 Finding Great Volunteers6:41 Know What You Want From Volunteers7:45 Why it's good to avoid the term "volunteer"9:05 Alternative words to use for those that help in ministry11:20 "Dating" vs. "Marrying" Your Volunteers14:43 Creating Volunteer Job Descriptions15:44 Equipping New Volunteers17:47 Continual Training and Orientation is Vital18:42 DTR (Define the Relationship) With Volunteers21:40 Volunteers Understanding Wins23:15 Interview with Nick Vergatos29:42 What Keeps Nick Coming Back  Why he wanted to get involved Process of getting involved Why he keeps coming back How to decide what roles to take on When he's been celebrated as a volunteer 36:24 Playing to Strengths of VolunteersVolunteer Shout Outs

Looking for something specific?0:33 We Have Our FIRST GUEST: Reid Leazier1:35 A little bit about Reid "Lightning" Leazier6:28 Pro-Eucharist Biblical Reference to The Eucharist as the Source & Summit of Our Faith8:33 Reference to National Directory of Catechesis9:25 "Youth Mass" - should you have one?12:00 Connection with Our Lord Must Begin in The Eucharistic Celebration13:14 Sacrosanctum Consilium & Lumen Gentium references 16:45 Body & Blood of Christ is not a symbol18:44 Celebrate Eucharist in Community23:06 Liturgy of the Hours & Liturgy of the Word25:10 How to Connect Students to the Eucharist26:48 Get the Parents involved28:16 How to Fully Participate in and Focus on the Liturgy34:36 Eucharist Brings about Grace37:01 When/Why to Abstain from Receiving the Eucharist40:12 Explaining Adoration to Teens45:20 Building the Interior with Quiet Time

Looking for something specific?1:50 Trail Mix Preferences4:50 What is a Side Hug?8:22 Closing Mass Community Feel11:20 What's the Win for NCYC?15:30 NCYC is a Pilgrimage19:12 Embrace the Crazy21:23 How to Connect with Parents Before, During & After26:14 Thematic Village Secrets31:53  Getting Good Seats - pick a session34:53 Productive Group Gatherings Before/During NCYC36:08 Food and Meals Tips38:07 NCYC App39:05 Have a Way to Communicate With Group Immediately (We

Looking for something specific?1:11 Why is Julia so hydrated? #Trusting&Adjusting 3:50 Jake got schooled by a high schooler 5:54 Paul got electrocuted in Bolivia9:04 Intro to Assigning Small Groups12:05 Know your teens ... what you should know17:19 Don't underestimate the power of prayer in the process18:42 Major Categories for Consideration26:22 Placing Adult Leaders36:05 Small Group Shoutouts

Looking for something specific?0:51 Youth Ministry Kickoff ideas3:12 Stories we Remember from our Freshman Year10:45 What Makes up a Freshman?12:08 EVERYTHING IS NEW - new high school "System"16:30 Resource Alert! Phase Cards by grades!18:45 Changing Physically, Emotionally, Relationally21:39 How Can We Help25:12 Orientation Done Right33:35 Give them a person who cares and invests in them36:22 Give them a place to feel safe

Looking for something specific?0:51 Youth Ministry Kickoff ideas3:12 Stories we Remember from our Freshman Year10:45 What Makes up a Freshman?12:08 EVERYTHING IS NEW - new high school "System"16:30 Resource Alert! Phase Cards by grades!18:45 Changing Physically, Emotionally, Relationally21:39 How Can We Help25:12 Orientation Done Right33:35 Give them a person who cares and invests in them36:22 Give them a place to feel safe

Looking for something specific? 0:00 - Where we got the name: Pizza & Side Hugs 2:25 - Why we're doing the podcast and what to expect 4:27 - Basic info about your rockin' hosts 8:10 - Most unique (and additional) title we have held in youth ministry 13:00 - Embracing the crazy and actually identifying wins 15:33 - What happens when we don’t identify wins...yikes! 18:36 - What wins look like in ministry- measurable, anecdotal, long-term etc 28:36 - Evaluating wins on regular intervals 32:07 - How to get started using wins Shareables Chris Wesley's article on Measuring Success in Youth Ministry gives four great areas to track when assessing your programs Sample SMART goal sheet - check this out as a way to track your goals Here is the Volunteer Handbook Julia talked about...a great example of something you can put together to fit your ministry and aid your volunteers! (As promised) Fun Facts about Jake Teitgen 1. He can't touch his pinky and thumb together 2. He attended the University of Notre Dame and rowed crew...or however you say that! 3. He karaokes on the reg...and knows every word to his "go-to" songs

Pizza & Side Hugs is a new Catholic youth ministry podcast from the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana! Subscribe today so you don't miss our first episode on August 28th!