a resource for parents of young adults

Being a parent of a young adult can be incredibly rewarding - interacting with a

son or daughter in new and mature ways - but it can also be a challenge,

especially when values, spirituality, and religious tradition come into play.

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Twelve Tips for Concerned Parents

A few thoughts, especially for the parents of young adults

who have drifted or are now disconnected from the Church

1.  Accept, support, and affirm the identity of your young adult children.

2.  Present a clear, compassionate, and compelling understanding of the

faith that also speaks to the lived experience of young adults today.

3.  Challenge your young adult children to take responsibility for their faith.

4.  Show them expressions of worship and prayer in the Catholic tradition

that illuminate the wonder of God, but that are also relevant, dynamic,

and relevant and connected to their culture and reality today.

5.  Provide opportunities for involvement and participation in faith settings,

especially with their peers (i.e. Theology-on-Tap, young adult events;

check out the programs we have for them in the Diocese of Joliet)

6. Exhibit models of mature Catholic faith in your family and in other

adults they know, as well as in pop culture and well-known personalities.

7.  Engage them to examine social justice; help them actively respond to

the needs of others through service and "good works" grounded in faith.

8.  Dialogue with them on what matters most to their lives and show

them how it all connects to the gospels and to their faith (whether that

be sports, movies, their career, their hobbies and interests, etc.).

9.  Be open and willing to share your own journey of faith,

including your struggles, your doubts, your questions, and your joys.

(reminding them that Church is a "safe space" for all their questions)

10. Connect busy young adults to "faith on-the-go" through

virtual ministry and technology (i.e. Busted Halo.com).

11. Be aware, welcoming, and open to all other young adults who

wander into your church for "moments of return" such as Christmas,

Ash Wednesday, Easter, as well as baptisms, weddings, and funerals

(because that person is someone else's son or daughter, too).

12.  Pray for your young adult children - as well as for all the

young adults struggling and seeking an adult experience of faith.

Support the work of Young Adult Ministry in the Diocese of Joliet:

the parishes, regional networks, and the diocesan leadership are

working hard to reach out and pastorally connect to your sons and

daughters who are in their late teens, twenties, and thirties.

If you have questions about our outreach and programs,

feel free to contact Paul Jarzembowski at (815) 834-4047

or email him today at pjarzembowski@dioceseofjoliet.org.

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Recommended Resources for Parents of Young Adults

This is just a few of the resources out there, but they are a good start.

	Losing Your Religion, Finding Your Faith: Spirituality for Young Adults by Fr. Brett C. Hoover (Paulist Press, 1998) Losing one's religion is part of the growth process, says Fr. Hoover in this book, but the real challenge is helping young adults find their adult appreciation of faith.  Aimed primarily at young adults themselves, this book is good for ministry leaders to know how best to respond to young people as they struggle with Church. This is a great resource for parents on how to approach young adults about the Church and about their faith.
	Seeds of Hope: Young Adults and the Catholic Church in the United States by Tim Muldoon (Paulist Press, 2008) Tim Muldoon looks at the state of the Church today, then considers five key areas of concern: theology, ecumenism, liturgy, spirituality, and moral authority. The book outlines ways that laity and clergy can respond to today's young adults in these areas. The book provides the groundwork for a hopeful future.
	Googling God: The Religious Landscape of People in their 20s and 30s by Mike Hayes (Paulist Press, 2007) This book takes a look at the two generations of young adults in the Church today (Gen Xers and Millinnials), and what is unique about ministering to them. Mike Hayes gives practical suggestions on how to minister to two young generations in the midst of the era of Google. Parents will enjoy this approach - using technology as a route to connect with our young adult children.
	Busted Halo: A Ministry for Young Adults online faith experiences @ www.bustedhalo.com Busted Halo, an outreach developed by the Paulist Fathers in New York, is a virtual ministry that includes their flagship website, podcasts, satellite radio shows, blogs, discussion boards, e-resoures, and more. This is a great website that connects faith and everyday life.
	Susan Vogt: Author, Speaker, and Coach online resources @ www.susanvogt.net Susan Vogt has worked with parents for many years now - and is now working with parents of adult children.  Her workshops, books, and consulting can help Catholic parents with the challenges and joys of their children.
	Sons and Daughters of the Light: A Pastoral Plan for Ministry with Young Adults by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB Publishing, 1996) This document outlines the purpose, mission, and goals of young adult ministry, and suggestions from the United States bishops on effective strategies for evangelization - it gives great theology to our Church's mission to its young adults, both active and inactive alike.

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For other questions and if we can support you in any other way,

contact Paul Jarzembowski, the Diocesan Director of Young Adult Ministry in

the Diocese of Joliet at (815) 834-4047 or pjarzembowski@dioceseofjoliet.org.