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 help teens encounter the love of Christ every summer. Steubenville NYC will be held at St. John’s University on July 24-26. 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, to be held Dec. 10-12 in New Orleans, 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 in Kearny, NJ, 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, on dates yet to be announced in 2022. Learn More
Lucia Morales
Facilitator, Catholic Youth Ministry Initiative
Secretariat for Evangelization and Catechesis
718.965.7300, ext. 5418
lmorales@diobrook.org
