Mission Statement

The Office of Youth Ministry / Adolescent Catechesis is committed to the meaningful involvement of young people in the parish and diocesan Catholic Church, the calling forth and celebrating of their many gifts as disciples TODAY, and advocating for the personal and spiritual needs of youth.

Purpose

The primary focus of the Office of Youth Ministry / Adolescent Catechesis is to support the growth and development of comprehensive youth ministry, as described in the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) document, Renewing the Vision:  A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry. Ministry with young people, in every parish in the Diocese, should include catechesis, evangelization, prayer and worship, community building, pastoral care, justice and service, advocacy and leadership development components. The OYM / AC provides training for parish leaders to develop a more comprehensive ministry, works to support parishes in directing young people toward discipleship on a single parish basis, in clusters or deanery gatherings and as the diocesan church through youth programming, family perspective, involvement in church life, and in collaboration with the civic community. The OYM / AC also provides annual events to bring the young church of the Diocese together and connects the local young church to regional and national youth ministry gatherings.