National Pastoral Framework Update | |
|
The USCCB Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth (LMFLY) recently met and affirmed the direction of its National Pastoral Framework and Principles for Ministries with Youth and Young Adults. This document, anticipated for presentation to the USCCB General Assembly (that is, the whole body of bishops in the U.S.) in November 2023, is this country’s response to Pope Francis’ 2019 exhortation, Christus Vivit, giving key direction and principles for structuring and carrying out the Church’s engagement with youth, collegians, and young adults across the United States.
At present, the document is going through internal reviews and editing. The LMFLY Secretariat staff and several key collaborators are also developing resources and promotional and implementation strategies to support and supplement the Framework and Principles upon a potential release later this year.
| |
Upcoming Online Formation Sessions for Ministry with Young Adults | |
|
Forming Community with Young Families and Single Parents
March 28, 2023 | 2:00 p.m ET (1:00 p.m. CT, 12:00 p.m. PT, 11:00 a.m. PT)
Coming Together - Integrating Young Adults in the Life of the Church
April 11, 2023 | 2:00 p.m ET (1:00 p.m. CT, 12:00 p.m. PT, 11:00 a.m. PT)
The National Institute for Ministry with Young Adults (NIMYA) is hosting an educational webinar series to help ministry leaders learn more about effective ministry with young adults. The webinar topics cover how to develop relationships and form community with young adults with a variety of age groups and ministry contexts.
| |
Special Gathering for Young Adults in the Workforce | |
|
All young adults (20s-30s) are invited:
Young Catholics, Work, and Labor in the New Economy
Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at 7pm ET
Online or in-person (Georgetown University)
The Georgetown University Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life, in collaboration with Georgetown University’s Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor invites young adults ages 18-39 to explore what work means in a new economy that is dramatically changing how we work, where we work, and the kind of work we do.
This gathering/webinar, part of the Salt and Light Young Adult Initiative, for young Catholics under 40 (working in collaboration with the USCCB-LMFLY secretariat) will bring together young professionals, experts, and union leaders to examine today’s challenges, explore what a new economic framework can look like, and ask how our own work can better reflect the principles of Catholic social thought.
Pastoral leaders: please pass this opportunity onto the young adults in your area, especially those preparing/studying for or active in the workplace.
| | |
|
|
Catholic Mobilizing Network Poetry Contest
Catholic Mobilizing Network is hosting its second annual poetry contest for young Catholics! This contest invites Catholics in the U.S. between the ages of 18-30 to submit an original poem about the injustice of the death penalty. Cash prizes of up to $1,000 will be awarded to the top three contest winners.
Deadline to enter is May 1, 2023.
| |
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Prayer Invitation | |
|
In this holy Lent, let us lift up our hearts, and always go forward for the triumph of the reign of Christ in Society - Pier Giorgio (February 27, 1925)
Ms. Wanda Gawronska, the niece of Blessed Pier Giorgio and the international coordinator of Associazione Pier Giorgio Frassati, invites all young people and those who accompany them to join in a worldwide prayer on the birthday anniversary (April 6, 2023) of one of the patrons of ministries with young adults.
April 6th, which coincides with Holy Thursday this year, the international Association proposes that young people and pastoral leaders engage in a Holy Hour on the night of Maundy Thursday or on the morning of Good Friday with the intention of prayers for the Church, with a special remembrance of youth and young adults around the world, especially those marginalized or alone. Pier Giorgio Frassati spent hours of his own life (1901-1925) in prayer petitioning to the Heart of Christ in Eucharistic Adoration.
Let us spiritually join him this Triduum, united in prayer with young people around the world. For more about Pier Frassati, see his page on the USCCB website.
| |
Vatican seeking young communicators for special project | |
The Dicastery for Communications of the Holy See invites young adults post-undergraduate (i.e. college graduates) to 35 years of age to participate in an international synodal experience focusing on communicating the Catholic faith through digital media. The working language of this program is English. | |
|
|
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for any young adult to be involved on the global level with the Vatican, affecting and shaping how the Catholic Church communicates in today’s world. Pastoral leaders, please consider nominating or passing on this information to young adults who possess good communications skills, experiences, or credentials.
Visit the official webpage to learn more about the application process.
The deadline to apply is April 21, 2023.
| | |
|
|
NEW: A Special Report on Ministry with Young Hispanic Catholics
Boston College has published a new report on ministry with young Hispanic Catholics by Dr. Hosffman Ospino. The report shares the summary of initial findings from the National Study of Catholic Organizations Serving Hispanic Youth and includes insights on best practices. Access the full report here.
| |
|
News for NFCYM Members
NFCYM has news and updates for all current members. Please be on the lookout for further communications and visit the website for more information about how to become or continue being involved.
| |
|
World Youth Day: Lisbon and Stateside 2023 | |
|
World Youth Day 2023 is quickly approaching! The global celebration of young people with chances of encounter with Pope Francis is under 130 days away.
There are already more than 400,000 pilgrims registered worldwide and the U.S. accounts for more than 20,000 of that number. In addition to a large pilgrim presence, the United States will also have participation in WYD from more than 50 bishops, WYD festival events, and houses at the vocations fair, as well as a USCCB-hosted “Pilgrim Prayer Oasis” at a parish in the center of Lisbon, near the WYD events. Register today to join the celebration in August! 5% discount applicable to all registration payments until April 15th.
There will also be several stateside WYD celebrations across the United States during August 2023. If you are planning one in your community, please share your details with the USCCB World Youth Day Office.
For more information, contact the USCCB at [email protected].
| |
"Dear young people, make the most of these years of your youth. Don’t observe life from a balcony. Don’t confuse happiness with an armchair, or live your life behind a screen. Whatever you do, do not become the sorry sight of an abandoned vehicle! Don’t be parked cars, but dream freely and make good decisions. Take risks, even if it means making mistakes. Don’t go through life anesthetized or approach the world like tourists."
Christus Vivit 143
| |
The staff of the USCCB Secretariat of Laity, Marriage, Family Life, and Youth is aware of the hardships occurring during this pandemic and wants to ensure you that all of our offices are working hard to provide as much support for you as they can. Visit the USCCB's list of resources.
If there is anything more that we can do to assist you, your teams, and your ministries during this time, please reach out to Paul Jarzembowski, USCCB lead staff for youth and young adult ministries, for assistance. We can arrange for one-on-one video calls, phone calls, consultations, virtual team gatherings, or whatever your needs may be. Email [email protected].
| | | | |
