What is Youth Ministry all about?

Youth Ministry invites and encourages youth to participate fully in the life of the parish community.  As we support the total personal and spiritual growth of each person, youth ministry seeks to draw youth to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work as a member of the faith community.   We hope to empower youth to be active disciples of Jesus Christ!

Through the concept and presence of youth ministry, here at St. Joseph, we strive to help youth feel welcome at church, beyond the actual, physical building.  2000 years ago, Jesus invited 12 strangers to follow him, to share his love and his messages.  Centuries later, here we are, continuing Jesus’ work – for, with, by and through youth!  Church is where-when-how we pray, how we connect with Jesus, who Jesus lives through in the people we surround ourselves with, who we wish to share our faith with, and can be so much more!

At World Youth Day 2005 in Cologne, Germany, Pope Benedict XVI spoke of his commitment to encouraging our youth and of the reward of walking alongside young people.  He said,

"That so many young people have come to meet the Successor of Peter is a sign of the Church's vitality. I am happy to be with them, to confirm their faith and, God willing, to enliven their hope.

At the same time, I am sure that I will also receive something from the young people, the fact that their enthusiasm, their sensitivity and their readiness will sustain me and give me the courage to continue my journey in the service of the Church as the Successor of Peter and to face the challenges of the future."

The Bishops of the United States have published the document, Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry to affirm “all of the experiences, resources, the joys and struggles of the last two decades of youth ministry”.  The Bishops call us to recognize that youth face many challenges, as they grow older.  It is the place for youth ministry to call youth to discipleship; to bring them to a place of empowerment, participation and growth.