What Is Catholic Youth Ministry? Robert J. McCarty, D.Min. he Catholic bishops of the United States defined Goal 1 Catholic youth ministry in the 1997 document Youth Ministry ... it’s about discipleship Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catho- T The first goal of youth ministry is “to empower lic Youth Ministry (RTV). This document, printed in both English and Spanish, provides a structure for the young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our ministry as well as a language, theology, and pastoral world today” (RTV 9). Young people are “searching for approach for responding to the personal and spiritual a noble adventure,” a compelling and challenging vision needs of today’s adolescents. of life, and a cause worth their commitment. They hun- ger to hear the Good News that finds response in dis- What is needed today is a church which cipleship. As their companions on this spiritual journey, knows how to respond to the expectations of the church fulfills this first goal of youth ministry by: young people. Jesus wants to enter into dia- • Proclaiming the Good News of Jesus through logue with them and, through his body, which witness and word to young people is the church, to propose the possibility of a • Enabling young people to live as disciples choice, which will require a commitment of through their involvement in service, ministry, their lives. As Jesus with the disciples of Em- and leadership opportunities maus, so the church must become the travel- • Providing young people the faith skills for dis- ing companion of young people. (Pope John cipleship Paul II, World Youth Day 1995, Philippines) Goal 2 The church must become the traveling companion Youth Ministry ... it’s about connection of young people—and that is what we mean by youth The second goal is “to draw young people to re- ministry. If, indeed, “it takes an entire village to raise a sponsible participation in the life, mission, and work of child,” then it certainly takes an entire church to jour- the Catholic faith community” (RTV 11). Young people ney with young people as they grapple with the Good have a hunger for connection, to be in relationship, and News and respond in discipleship. to belong. Family, peers, school, youth-serving organi- The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, zations and church are primary connections for young in their 1997 document, Renewing the Vision: A Frame- people. The church fulfills this second goal of youth work for Catholic Youth Ministry, identified three goals ministry by: and eight components which provide direction for this • Being a “youth friendly” community that wel- ministry. Youth ministry, at its best, is characterized by comes young people, values their participation, the following five hallmarks: and calls forth their gifts • Discipleship • Integrating young people into the liturgical, • Connection pastoral, and ministerial life of the parish com- • Giftedness and Growth munity • Comprehensiveness • Creating opportunities for young people to • Entire church (parish) involvement enter into healthy relationships of trust and re- spect with their peers and with adults • Promoting Catholic identity and religious lit- eracy through programs of adolescent catechesis 15 Seminary Journal Goal 3 Youth Ministry ... it’s about gifts and growth Young Adults The third goal of youth ministry is “to foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young Sons and Daughters person” (RTV 15). Adolescence is an important time of the Light for mental, spiritual, social, and physical growth. Their In this comprehensive experiences and relationships greatly influence their plan, the bishops offer an healthy and positive development. The church strives to effective guide for helping young adults discover surround young people with the best possible external the answers to life’s most scaffolds—networks of caring relationships of family, profound questions school, peers, and other adults—while young people through a personal are developing their internal psychological and spiritual relationship with Jesus backbone—their values, life skills, commitments, and and the Church. moral compass. The church fulfills this third goal of English: No. 5-127, 68 pp., $9.95 Spanish: No. 5-128, 72 pp., $9.95 youth ministry by: • Enabling young people to develop a personal relationship with Jesus United States Catholic • Actively supporting positive youth development Catechism for Adults and fostering healthy values and life skills The United States Catholic • Supporting families of young people by provid- Catechism for Adults is an excellent ing resources, programs, and services resource for ongoing catechetical formation of young adults. • Providing opportunities to experience and ex- English: No. 5-450, 664 pp., $24.95 press caring, service, and compassion for others Spanish: No. 5-904, 700 pp. (est.), $24.95 Youth Ministry is Comprehensive Youth ministry is more than programs and events. It is “the response of the Christian community to the Reader’s Journal for the United States Catholic needs of young people, and the sharing of the unique Catechism for Adults gifts of youth with the larger community” (“A Vision of Youth Ministry,” p. 6, quoted in RTV 1). To be most Use this easy-to-use companion effective, this is a ministry to, with, by, and for young to the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults to people that involves their families, their parish commu- help deepen young adults’ nity, and the larger community. At the heart of ministry understanding of and encounter with young people is the presence of caring, supportive with the living Christ. relationships where youth experience the Good News in No. 7-003, 144 pp., $9.95 the flesh. Eight Components of Youth Ministry A comprehensive approach to youth ministry uti- To order, go to www.usccbpublishing. lizes the eight components identified in Renewing the org or call toll-free 800-235-8722. Vision as a framework: In the Washington metropolitan area • Advocacy or from outside the United States, call Catechesis 202-722-8716. • • Community Life Modern Questions. Gospel Answers. • Evangelization • Justice and Service • Leadership Development • Pastoral Care • Prayer and Worship 16 What Is Catholic Youth Ministry? These components guide our efforts in proclaiming and abilities of adults and young people in our faith the Good News, connecting young people with the faith communities” (RTV, p. 40). community, and calling our young people to the chal- “The Ministry of Pastoral Care is a compassionate lenge of discipleship. presence in imitation of Jesus’ care for people, especially those who are hurting and in need” (RTV, p. 42). It in- “The Ministry of Advocacy engages the Church volves promoting positive adolescent and family develop- to examine its priorities and practices to determine how ment through a variety of positive (preventive) strategies, well young people are integrated into the life, mission, caring for adolescents and families in crisis through sup- and work of the Catholic community and within soci- port, counseling, and referral to appropriate community ety” (RTV, p. 27). The ministry of advocacy includes agencies; providing guidance as young people face life protecting the sanctity of human life, speaking with and decisions and make moral choices and challenging sys- on behalf of young people, empowering the voice of tems that are obstacles to positive development. young people and developing partnerships in building a “The Ministry of Prayer and Worship celebrates healthy community. and deepens young people’s relationship with Jesus “The Ministry of Catechesis most effectively pro- Christ through the bestowal of grace, communal prayer, motes the faith development of young and older ado- and liturgical experiences; it awakens their awareness of lescents when the curriculum is focused on important the Spirit at work in their lives; it incorporates young faith themes of the Church and on the developmental people more fully in the sacramental life of the Church, needs and life experiences of adolescents” (RTV, p. 30). especially Eucharist; it nurtures the personal prayer life It helps young people enrich and expand their under- of young people, and it fosters family rituals and prayer” standing of the Scriptures and the sacred tradition. It (RTV, p. 44). provides a healthy future by encouraging youth to live faithfully in providing real life applications so that they Youth Ministry Takes an Entire Church may grow as disciples of Jesus Christ in their daily lives. “The Ministry of Community Life builds an envi- This is what is needed: a Church for young ronment of love, support, appreciation for diversity and people, which will know how to speak to their judicious acceptance that models Catholic principles; heart and enkindle, comfort, and inspire en- develops meaningful relationships; and nurtures Catholic thusiasm in it with the joy of the Gospel and faith” (RTV, p. 34). This includes healthy relationships the strength of the Eucharist; a Church which between youth and caring adults. will know how to invite and welcome the “The Ministry of Evangelization shares the good person who seeks a purpose for which to com- news of the reign of God and invites young people to mit his whole existence; a Church which is hear about the Word Made Flesh” (RTV, p. 36). Draw- not afraid to require much, after having given ing from Jesus’ example, evangelization involves the much; which does not fear asking from young community’s pronouncements and living witnesses of people the effort of a noble and authentic ad- adults and young people that the reign of God is real- venture, such as that of the following of the ized in and through Jesus. The ministry of evangeliza- Gospel. (Pope John Paul II, 1995 World Day tion incorporates several essential elements: witness, of Prayer for Vocations) outreach, proclamation, invitation, conversion, and dis- cipleship. Robert J. McCarty, D.Min., is the executive direc- tor of the National Federation for Catholic Youth “The Ministry of Justice and Service nurtures in Ministry.