What is the Diocese of Sacramento doing to minister to its growing youth and young adult population?

For the next few months, a youth and young adult ministry task force will attempt to answer that question.

At the request of Bishop William K. Weigand, the task force, chaired by Auxiliary Bishop Richard Garcia and directed by Bob Meaney, director of the department of Catholic Faith Formation, will examine ministries for youth and young adults in the diocese.

Meaney said many reasons led to the task force’s formation. “There’s a growing awareness that we are not substantially serving youth and young adults ages 18 to 35,” he said. “The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has voiced a concern that a challenge facing the church is the catechesis of young people.”

Bishop Weigand “is very concerned that there are large numbers of our youth who are not catechized or even have a beginning understanding of the fullness of Catholic faith and belief,” he added.

The diocese is experiencing tremendous growth with apostolic movements such as Singles for Christ, Teen Apostles of Christ, the charismatic movement, and To Encounter Christ, Meaney said, and the task force will consider the impact of these movements on youth and young adults.

The task force will also determine the direction of the Catholic Youth Ministry office, including its service to parishes and possible new staffing.

Bishop Garcia noted that diocesan priests in an extensive survey last year cited youth ministry as their greatest pastoral concern.

“We want to keep youth active in the church and give them formation that will enhance their relationship with Jesus,” he said.

The task force’s work will be guided in part by the U.S. bishops’ document, “Renewing the Vision.” The document presents three goals for youth: to be in communion with Christ, develop concrete relationships with the parish community and become leaders in the world.

Reflecting the diversity of youth and young adults in the diocese, the task force will include youth ministers, high school teachers, pastors, parents and representatives from apostolic movements.. From February until June, the group will meet to discuss past methods of youth and young adult ministries and ideas for the future. They will also take a look at the spiritual life and Catholic identity of youth and young adults.

“How will our youth and young adults continue to stay in the Church and maintain a relationship with Christ if they don’t have a solid foundation?” Meaney asked. “I think it’s time for youth and young adults to move forward in evangelization.”

The task force will study the best practices in various youth and young adult programs in the diocese and the United States. Listening sessions will be held with pastors, parents, youth and young adults to gather their input. Michael Carotta, former director of religious education for the National Catholic Educational Association, will lead the task force through the process.

Members of the diocese are welcome to submit suggestions, comments and ideas, or to write about programs that already in place.

“Our hope is that in June we will offer Bishop Weigand and those with whom he consults with a thought-out direction based on the best practices of youth and young adult ministries with parishes, deaneries and apostolic movements,.” Meaney said. “If the plan is accepted, it will be taken to pastors and youth ministry coordinators and other pastoral leaders to work to move this vision forward with concrete programs.”

Not only does the task force come at a time of transition in the Catholic Youth Ministry office, it also coincides with the in-pew survey of parishioners in parishes throughout the diocese earlier this month. The survey asked about seven aspects of parish life, including evangelization, faith formation and religious education.

“When the survey results come back, we have to be ready with a good, thought-out response and a plan that may help increase the effectiveness of youth and young adult ministries,” Meaney said.

“The youth bring a vitality and a challenge of connecting faith with the marketplace,” he added. “I think they bring a wonderful potential to lay ministry, priesthood, religious life and lay apostolates.”

Send in your ideas

These articles in The Herald are being provided to encourage dialogue about youth and young adult ministry in the diocese. If you have an idea, suggestion or comment for the task force, send an e-mail to cym@diocese-sacramento.org, or write to Youth and Young Adult Ministry Task Force, Diocese of Sacramento, 2110 Broadway, Sacramento, CA 95818.

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