Learn about …
- Youth Ministry
- Young Adult Ministry
- Campus Ministry
Youth Ministry
Join us for more information on the links below
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YouthMinistryBrooklyn
- Instagram: @bklynyouth
A Pastoral Plan for Outreach to Youth and Young Adults
The Diocese of Brooklyn has a rich, long history of catechizing and evangelizing youth and young adults. It is necessary, then, that under the leadership of Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, and in collaboration with the staff of the Secretariat for Evangelization and Catechesis, we present this plan that will unify, engage, and mobilize our pastoral and catechetical outreach to youth and young adults. This Diocesan Plan provides a framework that is flexible and practical. It is meant to be studied and implemented by the pastor, the Parish staff, the Parish youth and young adult team, and other collaborators. The family is an essential part of this outreach.
Download the Pastoral Plan for Youth and Young Adult Ministry: “So, Be Bold!,”
Youth Ministry (Grades 6-12)
The diocesan Youth Ministry team works to empower young people — middle school grades 6-8, and high school grades 9-12 — to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today. We work together with adult parish youth ministry leadership, across parishes and schools, to develop comprehensive youth ministry programs.
We also collaborate with diocesan agencies and organizations, regional and national Catholic Youth Ministry leadership on activities and issues of mutual concern and benefit, consistent with the goals of the Office of Faith Formation.
Each year we host the Diocesan Youth Day — a day of catechesis, pray, worship, and fellowship with youth from Brooklyn and Queens.
CYO
The Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) serves the youth of the Diocese of Brooklyn through sports and other programs. For more information, visit cyodob.org.
Catholic Youth Ministry Initiative
The Center for Ministry Development supports the CYMI by providing training, resources, and consultation to assist the diocesan staff in supporting vibrant youth ministry. This project consists of nine gathered workshops provided on Saturdays over a three-year period. These workshops are provided for the leaders of youth ministry and their teams. The workshop day also includes an element of team planning. Planning work will also be assigned to teams to complete in between workshops.
Youth Ministry Conferences
Steubenville NYC: As an outreach of the Franciscan University of Steubenville, this series of 24 conferences across North America helps teens encounter the love of Christ every summer. Steubenville NYC will be held at St. John’s University Tentatively in 2022. Learn More
National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC 2021): This is an exciting, biennial three-day experience of prayer, community, and empowerment for Catholic teenagers and their adult chaperones. The schedule includes keynote addresses, concurrent and workshop sessions addressing a wide variety of topics. There are also opportunities for liturgy, reconciliation, prayer and worship, recreation, and special activities such as concerts, exhibits, and the interactive thematic park. Learn More
National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry (NCCYM): The National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry, gathers and forms adults to inspire, strengthen, and nourish those who accompany young people as they encounter and follow Jesus Christ. Learn More
Camp Quo Vadis: This weeklong summer camp at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, NY, is for young Catholic men and women graduating 8th grade to high school seniors. This camp is an opportunity for them to encounter God in new and real ways and to hear that question — Quo Vadis? Where are you going? The Camp Quo Vadis team seeks to give future leaders the tools they need to see where God is calling them to go. Learn More
Continuing the Journey: This conference is for all those who minister, work, volunteer, and most importantly walk with young people on their faith journey – Youth Ministers, Youth Workers, Diocesan Youth Ministry Staff, Volunteers, Clergy, Religious/ Brothers, PCL’s, DRE’s, Catechists, Campus Ministers and more! Learn More
World Youth Day (WYD): A worldwide encounter with the Pope that is typically celebrated every three years in a different country. The most recent WYD was celebrated in Panama City from January 22-27, 2019. The next World Youth Day will be held in Lisbon, Portugal, in 2023. Learn More
Rev. Emil Parafiniuk, S.T.L
Director of Youth and Young Adult Formation
Secretariat for Evangelization and Catechesis
718-965-7300, ext. 5545
eparafiniuk@diobrook.org
Lucia Morales
Facilitator, Catholic Youth Ministry Initiative
Secretariat for Evangelization and Catechesis
718.965.7300, ext. 5418
lmorales@diobrook.org
Young Adult Ministry
Join us for more information on the links below
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YouthMinistryBrooklyn
- Instagram: @bklynyouth
Young Adults (Ages 18-39)We offer programs and social activities throughout the year including:
- Annual Young Adult Masses and Day of Reflection
Services
Getting Started in Young Adult Ministry
Using Bishop DiMarzio’s Pastoral Plan for Youth and Young Adult Ministry, “So, Be Bold!,” we can guide parishes in Brooklyn and Queens to meeting these goals:
- Unity in the fields of youth and young adults
- Engagement through direct dialogue with young people
- Mobilization of the parish towards the implementation of goals and objectives
Training and Consultation in Young Adult Ministry
We can help develop parish-based and deanery-based teams of local leaders and empower them with training and consultation to provide strong parish and community-based programs. Parish leaders can also arrange consultations around young adult ministry best practices, how to start a young adult ministry program, and hiring support.
Support for Young Adult Ministers and Ministries
We offer parish and deanery support to young adult ministers as it relates to programs that reach people from ages 18 to 39.
Young Adult Events on MeetMeIn.Church
See what’s happening in the diocese!
Young Adult Events
Rev. Emil Parafiniuk, S.T.L
Director of Youth and Young Adult Formation
Secretariat for Evangelization and Catechesis
718-965-7300, ext. 5545
eparafiniuk@diobrook.org
Lucia Morales
Facilitator, Catholic Youth Ministry Initiative
Secretariat for Evangelization and Catechesis
718.965.7300, ext. 5418
lmorales@diobrook.org
Campus Ministry
Get involved with campus ministries at the following Catholic colleges and universities in Brooklyn and Queens.
St. Francis College
Inspired by the charisma of St. Francis of Assisi and flowing from the mission of St. Francis College, the programs offered by the Office of Mission, Ministry & Interfaith Dialogue are aimed at the development of the whole person. For more information, visit here or contact:
Alexandria M. Egler, Ph.D., Executive Director
718.489.5245
Timothy Nagy, Assistant Director
718.489.2054
St. John’s University
St. John’s creates opportunities for students to gain inspiration from their individual faith traditions by volunteering, fighting injustice, and serving those in need. There are 15 campus ministers present and available throughout each of the campuses to serve as guides for students in all aspects of their lives. For more information visit here or contact:
Queens Campus
718.990.6255
Staten Island Campus
718.390.4475
St. Joseph’s College
St. Joseph’s College, founded in 1916 by the Sisters of St. Joseph, provides strong academic and value-oriented education at the undergraduate and graduate levels, rooted in a liberal arts tradition that supports provision for career preparation and enhancement. Campus ministry information coming soon.