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Starting a Young Adult Ministry in your parish?
Click here for suggestions and ideas for getting it off the ground.
Click here if you are interested in ministry presentations or workshops.
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New Research on Millennials
Pew Research Center reveals new data
In February 2010, the Pew Research Center unveiled its report on
the Millennial Generation, those born between 1980 and 1995
(who would currently be in college and in their twenties now).
Anyone working with or attempting to outreach and evangelize
these young adults should read and analyze this report, for the
implications for ministry are incredible.
Millennials: A Portrait of Generation Next - Executive Summary
This page gives an overview of the report, as well as links to
other research projects surrounding the millennial generation
Full Report: "Millennials: A Portrait of Generation Next"
This includes the 150-page report with all the data included.
Religion Among the Millennials: Special Study
This site gives the overview of the religious trends that
the Pew Center discovered amongst millennials, with links
to additional data and information on this topic
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Campus & Young Adult Ministry Symposium
University of Notre Dame Campus
All church leaders working in either campus and/or young adult
ministry are invited to attend the one-week symposium this spring.
Sunday, May 23, to Friday, May 28, 2010
University of Notre Dame - South Bend, Indiana
"Stewards of the Treasures of our Faith"
http://campusministry.nd.edu/national-conferences/nd-symposium/
The cost is $200 for the week and includes conference
registration, accomodations, and meals for one week.
The focus of the symposium is to understand our role in
campus and young adult ministry as stewards and
communicators of the treasures of the Catholic faith:
liturgy, prayer, social justice, and vocations.
For more information, check the website or contact
Darrell Paulson at Notre Dame at dpaulse1@nd.edu.
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Googling God: Evangelization through Technology
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In February 2009, Mike Hayes (author of "Googling God" and the co-founder and managing editor of BustedHalo.com) spoke to catechetical leaders in the Diocese of Joliet about evangelizing with technology and engaging in "virtual ministry."
Click here for the video of that session, co-sponsored by the Diocese of Joliet Offices for Youth Ministry, Religious Education, and Young Adult Ministry. |
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Young Adult Ministry Presentations

The Diocesan Young Adult Ministry Office provides workshops, presentations,
and seminars on marketing, evangelizing, ministering, and supporting young adults
in the Church. For a full list of presentations offered to parishes, click here.
If you are interested in having us offer a session to your parish or cluster,
please contact Paul Jarzembowski in the Diocesan Offices at (815) 834-4047
or email him at pjarzembowski@dioceseofjoliet.org. We are happy to help.
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If you connect with college students, young singles,
or young married couples in your parish minisry,
plan to join us for these upcoming gatherings.
Diocesan Young Adult Ministry
Resource & Networking Meetings
Next Meeting
Thursday, September 9, 2010
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
St. Charles Borromeo Pastoral Center
Rt. 53 & Airport Rd., Romeoville, Illinois
RSVP REQUIRED for FREE LUNCH!
RSVP to Nancy Ferencik at nferencik@dioceseofjoliet.org
- Hear about resources and best practices in Young Adult Ministry.
- Get practical tips for connecting with the young adults in your parish.
- Network with other Catholic leaders working in this ministry area.
- Get the latest details on upcoming events and activities.
- Discuss some of the critical issues facing the Church today.
This gathering is open to all church workers
who connect with young adults in any way.
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Using Technology in Ministry
How to use today's viritual technology to better
minister in the Twenty-First Century
Check out this website with details
(this site is based on a May 2009 workshop
delivered by the Diocese of Joliet Offices for
Youth, Campus, and Young Adult Ministry)
For more ideas or advice on integrating technology in your ministry,
feel free to contact Paul Jarzembowski by email or call (815) 834-4047.
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Sparks from Ashes
An Ash Wednesday Young Adult
Evangelization Plan
Did you know that on a given Sunday, only 15% to 17% of Catholic
young adults come to church, but on Ash Wednesday, over
40% to 50% of those men and women will be sitting in our pews?
Check out the plan here for great evangelization ideas for your parish.
Sparks from Ashes is produced by the Diocese of Joliet Young Adult Ministry
Office and is meant for pastors, parish leaders, and parishioners looking to better connect with men and women in their late teens, twenties, and thirities.
For more information or for help in implementing this evangelization plan, please contact Paul Jarzembowski at (815) 834-4047 or email him.
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Need Money for Young Adult Ministry?
Apply for diocesan faith formation grants this year
There are two grant opportunities available through the
Diocese of Joliet Education Foundation that are open to
new and creative young adult ministry efforts.
The Diocesan Faith Formation Grant
Perfect for new or innovative catechetical endeavors for
men and women of all ages, including those in their 20s & 30s
The Outreach Initiative Grant
Aimed at funding new or innovative evangelization and/or
adult faith formation programs, including outreach to inactive,
lapsed, and/or hurting Catholics, and those outside the current
parishioner base (which definitely includes young adults!)
More information on these grants, as well as links to the
grant applications, are available at the following link:
www.dioceseofjoliet.org/edfoundation/ministrygrants.asp
Grant applications for FY 2011-2012 will be available in early 2011.
Stay tuned to this website for additional details and deadlines.
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Recommended Books for Young Adult Ministry Leaders,
Parish Staff & Pastors on Young Adult Ministry
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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The Basic Guide to Young Adult Ministry
by Fr. John Cusick and Dr. Katherine DeVries (Orbis Press, 2001)
Using the "young adult ministry model" they have created in the Archdiocese of Chicago as a framework, Fr. Cusick and Dr. DeVries explain creative ways to get started and to maintain a Young Adult Ministry experience on the parish, regional, and diocesan level |
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Connecting Young Adults to Catholic Parishes: Best Practices in Y.A. Ministry
by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops
(USCCB Publishing, 2010)
What are churches around the United States doing to connect with young adults already present in the life of the parish? This resource builds on "Sons and Daughters of the Light" and looks at the implementation of the bishops' document and its use in pastoral settings. |
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Souls in Transition: The Religious & Spiritual Lives of Emerging Adults
by Dr. Christian Smith with Patricia Snell
(Oxford University Press, 2009)
The follow-up to Dr. Smith's "Soul Searching" follows young adults who have emerged from their teenage years. Drawing on samples and data, Smith and Snell paint a captivating portrait of the relationship between young adults and organized religion. The book is heavy on data, but vital for all to read now. |
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Young Adult Catholics: Religion
in the Culture of Choice
by Dean R.Hoge, William D. Dinges, Mary Johnson, and Juan L. Gonzalas, Jr.
(University of Notre Dame, 2001)
This sociological study takes a look at the trends, practices, needs, and concerns of young adult Catholics, practicing and non-practicing alike, in the United States today.
This is a great resource to have on hand. |
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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. |
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The Next Generation of Pastoral Leaders: What the Church Needs to Know
by Drs. Dean R. Hoge & Marti R. Jewell
(Loyola Press, 2010)
What does Church leadership look like for the next generation of pastoral leaders - currently in their 20s and 30s? This book presents the findings of the five-year study of the Emerging Models of Pastoral Leadership Project. What it says about young adults and their role in shaping the Church is important for all in Church leadership to know and understand. |
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After the Baby Boomers: How 20- and
30-somethings are Shaping the Future
of American Religion
by Robert Wuthnow
(Princeton University Press, 2007)
Another look at the sociological implications of Generation X and the Millennial Generation on the religious landscape of the 21st Century, focusing on worship, spirituality, politics, marriage and single life, family and work, technology, and their role in society at large. Heavy on data, this book gives a fascinating look at the relationship of churches and men and women under the age of 45. |
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American Catholics Today: New Realities
of Their Faith and Their Church
by William V. D'Antonio, James D. Davidson, Dean R. Hoge, and Mary L. Gautier
(Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, 2007)
This book is the most recent volume in a series of sociological studies on Catholics in the United States. This book gives data on adults of all generations, with revealing information about Gen Xers and the new Millennial Generation, and some conclusions on what this might mean for the Catholic Church in the future. |
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God Moments: Why Faith Really Matters
for a New Generation
by Jeremy Langford (Orbis Books, 2001)
In this book, author Jeremy Langford is a young adult who shares what is truly great about his Catholic faith and inspires other young adult seekers and searchers to walk with him on his spiritual journey. This is a great book from the perspective of a young adult trying to find relevant answers in his religious traditions. |
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Virtual Resources for Young Adult Ministry
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Inviting Young Adults into the
Life and Mission of the Church
Special Webinar Presentation by
Fr. Dave Dwyer, CSP (Paulist Fathers)
This online resource is a recording of a presentation by Fr. Dave Dwyer on ways to incorporate young adults into parish life.
Click here to purchase this recording. |
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National Catholic Young Adult
Ministry Association (NCYAMA)
National Online Resource Center
NCYAMA is the national network and resource center for those working with anyone in their late teens, 20s & 30s.
Click here to access their national website. |
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COMING SOON ON THE PARISH LEADERS & PASTORS PAGE:
- Even More Resources for Young Adult Ministry
- Ideas and Suggestions on Young Adult Responsiveness
- Best Practices of College & Young Adult Ministry
- More Training and Networking Opportunities
- Parish Planning Ideas on Young Adult Evangelization
- Homily & Pastor Resources for Young Adult Ministry
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