Teen CROSS (Catholics Reaching Out in Selfless Service) is our Archdiocesan youth council, which is made up of teens from parishes and Catholic high school across the Archdiocese.  A packet with the qualifications for joining, commitment information, and registration details, is sent to all youth ministers and campus ministers at every parish and Catholic high school in the Archdiocese each spring, and all are invited to recommend young people to represent their parish or high school on Teen CROSS for the following academic year.

MISSION

The mission of Teen CROSS is to help young leaders deepen their personal relationship with Jesus Christ, grow in their faith journey, and develop their leadership skills.  We strive to accomplish this through ongoing spiritual & practical formation, as well as providing opportunities for our members to serve the local Church through Archdiocesan-wide programs and events.  Some of our goals for members of Teen CROSS include:

• Helping members grow in their prayer life and active participation in the sacraments
• Encouraging members to identify and develop their individual leadership skills
• Improve communication between parishes/high schools and the CYO Office through our Teen CROSS members
• Educate members on issues of social justice and serving the civic community
• Provide outreach opportunities to connect with other Catholic young people

PURPOSE

The purpose of Teen CROSS is to empower members to use what they learn as part of Teen CROSS to serve the Body of Christ in our Archdiocese through various ministry opportunities.  Some of these include:

• Assisting with the planning and implementation of Archdiocesan-wide youth events, such the NOLA Catholic Youth Conference (formerly World Youth Day), our annual Archdiocesan Junior High Retreat, Abbey Youth Fest, etc.
• Assisting with the planning and implementation of programs and events in their Church parishes or high schools
• Fostering growth among their peers through peer-centered ministry
• Representing the concerns and ideas of the young Church to the Archbishop

BENEFITS

While Teen CROSS is first and foremost a ministry that promotes service to the Church, it is our hope that members will also receive a benefit from being involved.  We believe these benefits include opportunities to:

• Grow in personal relationship with Jesus Christ and active participation in the Church
• Serve the Body of Christ in our Archdiocese
• Share faith, prayer, and friendship with other young people from across the Archdiocese
• Have an active voice in local youth ministry
• Experience on-going spiritual and leadership development
• Learn more about youth ministry at the Archdiocesan, regional, and national levels

COMPOSITION

Teen CROSS is made up of two young people from each parish and Catholic high school across the Archdiocese, who serve as representatives for their parish/school communities.  Some members who have previously served on Teen CROSS are also asked (based on certain criteria) by the CYO Office to return to serve as a Teen CROSS Ambassador.

SELECTION PROCESS

Parish Youth Ministers/Pastors and high school Campus Ministers recommend young people to represent their parish/high school each year, and the CYO Office then asks members to serve based on these recommendations.  In addition to official parish/high school representatives, some members who have previously served on Teen CROSS are asked (based on certain criteria, including meeting attendance and overall participation) by the CYO Office to return as a Teen CROSS Ambassador. Teen CROSS Ambassadors do not officially represent their parish/school, but rather, represent the young Church in our Archdiocese as an independent member, sharing their experience and gifts in leadership to serve among their peers on Teen CROSS. 

CRITERIA TO SERVE ON TEEN CROSS

In choosing young people to serve on Teen CROSS, we look for young people according to the following criteria:

• Current high school students (any student entering grades 9 through 12 for the 2022/2023 academic year)
• Actively involved in their faith, and can be a witness to a Catholic lifestyle
• Have a desire to grow deeper in their relationship with Jesus Christ and to serve the Church
• Actively involved in their parish youth ministry and/or high school campus ministry programs
• Displays potential for leadership (responsible, committed, hard-working, good communicator, , organized, etc.)
• Willing to take direction, and ability to work well with others

LENGTH OF COMMITMENT

Teen CROSS members are asked to serve a one-year term from about August through the following May.  This term begins with our Teen CROSS Retreat (end of July/beginning of August).

Representatives are appointed on a yearly basis.  Teens can serve multiple years, but must be re-recommended each year by their parish/high school.  Some current members are sometimes asked to serve as “At-Large” members based on certain criteria by the CYO Office, and not all members are not guaranteed to be asked back as At Large members.

EXPECTATIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES

There are general Teen CROSS meetings each month (scheduled enclosed) and all members are expected to attend all meetings, except in the case of a legitimate conflict. General meetings take place at various parishes/high schools around the Archdiocese on both the south and north shores.  In addition, members will be expected to attend and serve at some mandatory Archdiocesan-wide events, including NOLA Catholic Youth Conference, the Archdiocesan Junior High Retreat, etc. Members may also be asked to serve for optional additional ministry events including retreats, serving as lectors at the Cathedral, etc. 

As representatives of the young Church to both the wider Archdiocese, as well as to the Archbishop, we trust members of Teen CROSS to be accountable to a certain standard of expectations/responsibilities, including:

• Following through on commitment to Teen CROSS by attending all scheduled meetings/events
• Effectively completing assigned tasks for ministry events
• Serve as an example of living out the Catholic faith to both peers and adults
• Remain active in local parish/high school ministries
• Communicate information between the parish/school they represent and the CYO Office

SUPERVISION & SUPPORT

The CYO/Youth & Young Adult Ministry Office and other appointed adult advisors/volunteers work together to provide support and supervision to members of Teen CROSS both in and out of official Teen CROSS meetings/events.  Our “Teen CROSS Core Team” is made up of various adult volunteers, many of whom serve as youth ministers, campus ministers, teachers, and ministry volunteers at our parishes and high schools. Final accountability for the Teen CROSS program lies with the Director of the CYO/Youth & Young Adult Ministry Office.