oung Adult Ministry is a pastoral response of the parish community to connect with the group that is between the ages of 18 and 35.

The key to ministry with this group is to focus on the needs of the group.

The 18 - 22 year old range generally seeks connectivity, a redefined role within the family, belonging, and coming to grips with intimacy.

The 22-29 year old range generally is seeking sacramental preparation for marriage, baptism, or exploring a vocation to the priesthood or religious life. This group is in the workforce and wanting to "make a difference".

Older Young Adults, much like the adult member of the faith community, are seeking ways to work within and through the faith life and mission of the parish.

For young adults, searching for a spirituality and relationship with Jesus is different than belonging to an organized religion. The Catholic Church, as an organized religion, can provide for and offer a spirituality and relationship with Jesus. As you develop your young adult ministry, focus on the people in the parish and what their needs may be.

The Goals of Young Adult Ministry:

Goal One: To connect young adults with Jesus Christ.

Spiritual formation and direction, religious education and formation, and vocation discernment are key components of developing this goal.

Goal Two: To connect young adults with the Church.

Evangelizing outreach that takes place where young adults gather; forming the faith community by inviting young adults to participate in Church life; pastoral care that responds to the spiritual and developmental needs of young adults are aspects of this goal.

Goal Three: To connect young adults with the mission of the Church in the World.

Young adults in their work environment are generally seeking three reasons for remaining:

• They have access to role models / mentors
• They are able to use their talents and gifts productively
• Work provides a sense of mission

Conscience formation based on the gospel and Church teaching; providing educational and service opportunities to practice Gospel values of justice & peace; and developing leaders for society and Church life are important parts of this goal.

Goal Four: To connect young adults with a peer community.

To form faith communities of peers; to develop peer leadership; to identify young adult teams in parishes an organizations and on campus are some of the objectives of this goal.

Key Assumptions about Young Adult Ministry for Parishes:

• Parishes are already doing ministry with young adults
• Each parish brings certain resources to young adult ministry
• Young adult ministry is twofold: Integrating young adults into the life of the parish and developing special programs targeted to young adults
• Much of young adult ministry is peer ministry
• An outreach to young adults needs to take into account cultural diversity within the parish
• Young adult ministry within the parish is collaborative

Steps to building a ministry with young adults (from Sons and Daughters of the Light):

1. Assess

• Assess the situation in your local community
• Complete an inventory of what is already happening

2. Educate

• Form a core team to undertake the necessary assessment, planning, and implementation
• Educate and provide formation

3. Act

• Improve involvement, participation, and integration
• Invite and Welcome
• Offer new activities, organizations, and programs
• Identify peer initiatives and activities

4. Review an Define

• Establish a multi-year implementation
• Keep the Vision!

Consultations and resources are available through the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry. Visit our activities page for some ideas about programs in the area of Young Adult Ministry.