The Road Map and youth and young adult ministry

The importance of youth and young adult programs emerged as one of the six recommendations of the diocesan strategic plan — the “Road Map.” An ad hoc implementation committee was charged with establishing an Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry and selecting its director. On Nov. 1, 2009, the feast of All Saints, the new office was opened and I have the privilege of serving as its first director.

Following the 2000 Synod, diocesan youth and young adult activities and events were organized by an all-volunteer Diocesan Youth and Young Adult Board. With the opening of the new office in 2009, this volunteer board was reconstituted as an advisory body to the director of the new office.

What is youth ministry? The National Conference of Catholic Bishops in their 1997 document, “Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry” (RTV), identify three youth ministry goals: “to empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today; to draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic faith community; and to foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person.”

Pope John Paul II, in his address at the 1995 World Youth Day said, “What is needed today is a Church which knows how to respond to the expectations of young people. Jesus wants to enter into dialogue with them and, through his body, which is the Church, to propose the possibility of a choice, which will require a commitment of their lives. As Jesus walked with the disciples of Emmaus, so the Church must become the traveling companion of young people. ...”

To accomplish the goals of “Renewing the Vision,” youth ministry must be integrated into the total life and mission of the church. The eight ministry components identified in “Renewing the Vision” provide the framework for a comprehensive approach to youth ministry: advocacy, catechesis, community life, evangelization, justice and service, leadership development, pastoral care, and prayer and worship. These components guide ministry efforts to proclaim the Good News, connect young people with the faith community, and call our young people to the challenge of discipleship (RTV 20).

What is young adult ministry? In November 1993 the National Conference of Catholic Bishops developed a national plan for pastoral ministry to and with young adults called “Sons and Daughters of the Light: A Pastoral Plan for Ministry with Young Adults” (SDL). This plan set forth four basic goals for successful ministry to young adults: connect young adults with Jesus, with the church, with the mission of the church in the world, and with a peer community.

A comprehensive young adult ministry approach includes:

n   Advocacy for young adults and their place in the Catholic Church, including collaboration with other ministries and areas of Church life;

n   Integration into and participation with the larger Catholic community of faith;

n   Evangelization to the inactive, busy, and disconnected;

n   Catechesis and adult faith formation;

n   Spiritual direction and pastoral care;

n   Connection to the sacramental life of the church, especially the Eucharist;

n   Vocational discernment and leadership development;

n   Engagement with worship, prayer, and spiritual formation;

n   Moral and ethical formation of the Christian conscience;

n   Active participation in the social mission of the Catholic Church; and

n   Events and activities to connect young adults’ shared life experiences (SDL).

In a recent gathering with young people in Malta, Pope Benedict XVI said, “Every personal encounter with Jesus is an overwhelming experience of love.” A comprehensive ministry to young adults connects them with the life and mission of the Church, giving them the opportunity to experience Christ’s overwhelming love.

Based on church documents, papal messages, and our own diocesan “Road Map,” the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry has the following three goals: (1) provide resources and best practice help to parishes, vicariates, and schools; (2) provide training and formation for youth and young adult ministry leaders; and (3) develop a diocese-wide strategy to involve youth and young adults in parish life. While our office will work hard to advance these goals, it will take the efforts of clergy, religious, parish communities, our schools, and our families to inspire our young people to discover and utilize their gifts in the church today. All are welcomed and asked to join in this special church mission.