Jeffrey Kaster

Undergraduate Courses Taught:

• Youth Ministry (Spring 2013)

• Introduction to Pastoral Ministry (Fall 2012)

• The Christian Tradition

• Marriage and Family

• Retreat Work

• Social Concerns

• Ministry to the Sick and Dying

Graduate Courses Taught:

• Evangelization and Catechesis (Spring 2013)

• Youth Ministry (Summer 2012)

• Integration Seminar (Spring 2011)

Recent publications:

• "Doing Theology Together to Advance Excellence in Lay Ecclesial Ministry," pp. 15-34, in In the Name of the Church: Vocation and Authorization of Lay Ecclesial Ministry, Ed Cahoy, William J.  Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2012.

• "Evaluating Adolescent Catechesis." Religious Education 106, no. 1: 63-81. 2011.

•  "The State of Adolescent Catechesis Today" in Source Book on Adolescent Catechesis: Volume 1. Washington, DC: National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry. 2008.

•  "Young Disciples: Adolescent Christian Discipleship and Faith Practices," in The Vision of Catholic Youth Ministry. Fundamentals, Theory, and Practice, pp. 56-68, ed. Robert McCarty, Winona, MN: St. Mary's Press, 2005.

• What Catholic Teens Should Know About Homosexuality, St. Louis, MO: Pflaum Publishing Group. 2004.

• Youth Ministry. Collegeville, Minnesota: The Liturgical Press. 1989.

Dissertation:

"Assessing Christian Discipleship Formation in Catholic Youth Ministry"  (.pdf)  

• "A doormat is not a symbol of Christian Leadership," Professional Development Series 2012-13, Youth Ministry Network, St. Paul and Minneapolis.

• "What's working in Adolescent Catechesis?"  National Catholic Education Association National Conference, New Orleans 2011.

• "Forming Christian Disciples," National Association for Lay Ministry National Conference.  St. Paul, Minnesota, May 2009.

• Panel Discussion:  "Vocational Discernment:  Insights from Listening to High School Youth," 6th Annual Conference on the College Male, Collegeville, MN, February 2009.

• "The Challenge of Discipleship," National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry. Cleveland, December 2008.  

• "What Has Been the Impact of the Youth Programs?" Gathering of Leaders of Theological Programs for High School Youth, Fund for Theological Education/The Lilly Endowment, Inc., Indianapolis, September 2008.

• "Assessing Christian Discipleship." Minnesota Catholic Education Association Convention, August 2007.

Notable Activities:

• Princeton Theological Seminary Youth Theology Research Group, 2012-present.

• Minnesota Catholic Education Association State Certification Board for Lay Ecclesial Ministers.  2005-present.

• Chair, Hands Across the World Board of Directors, 2008-2012.

• Chairperson, 2007 & 2011 National Symposia on Lay Ecclesial Ministry, Collegeville, MN

• 2010 National Youth Ministry Award for "Regional Youth Ministry" - National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry

• Coordinator, Collegeville Ministry Seminar II. A partnership with the USCCB developing a theology of vocation and authorization for Lay Ecclesial Ministry, 2008-2010.

• Chairperson, Think Tank on Vocation and Gender among High School Youth, 2008-2009.

• Minnesota Catholic Education Association Leadership Forum Committee on Certification. 1997-2007.

• Common Competency Project.  1999-2003 The writing committee for national competency standards for Lay Ecclesial Ministers representing NALM, NFCYM, and NCCL.  

Grants Awarded:

• Coordination of the Lilly Endowment Theological Programs for High School Youth 2013-2016.  Awarded by the Lilly Endowment,  $1,000,000 in 2012.

• Theological Programs for High School Youth Renewal Grant (2012-2016). The Youth in Theology and Ministry program. Awarded by the Lilly Endowment, $875,000 in 2009.

• Collegeville Ministry Seminar II Grant (2008), A collaborative project with the USCCB seeking to advance a theology of vocation and authorization for lay ecclesial ministry. $50,000 awarded by an anonymous foundation.

• Lilly Grant for Think Tank on Vocation and Gender among High School Males, 2007.

• Theological Programs for High School Youth Renewal Grant (2007-2011). The Youth in Theology and Ministry program. Awarded by the Lilly Endowment, $600,000.

• National Symposium on Lay Ecclesial Ministry Grant (2007).  $50,000 awarded by an anonymous foundation. Theological Programs for High School Youth Renewal Grant (2003-2006). The Youth in Theology and Ministry program. Awarded by the Lilly Endowment, $600,000.

• Theological Programs for High School Youth (1999-2003). The Youth in Theology and Ministry program. Awarded by the Lilly Endowment, $1,200,000.

• Theological Programs for High School Youth Planning Grant (1999). The Youth in Theology and Ministry program. Awarded by the Lilly Endowment, $27,000.