Best Practices: Catechesis & Evangelization

Program Model: Annual Diocesan Young Adult Conference

Overview of the program

The Young Adult Conference is a daylong annual event, which begins at 10:00 AM and ends at 11:00 PM. The conference includes a keynote, 2 rounds of workshops, Mass, lunch, and dinner, a mini retreat with an opportunity for reconciliation, and a party to end the day. The workshops offer faith formation for young adults. The workshop topics are developed around the four tasks of young adulthood from the pastoral plan (connecting young adults with Jesus, the Church, the mission of the Church, and their peers). The conference offers a welcoming environment, evangelization, catechesis, the opportunity to meet others, leadership development and community. Although this event falls under the responsibilities of the Youth and Young Adult Ministry and CYO Office, we do have full time staff devoted exclusively to young adult ministry

How does the program work in your archdiocese?

Over the past 8 years the Diocese of Cleveland has hosted an annual Young Adult Conference. Our first year, we welcomed 43 young adults. The 2001 Conference welcomed 289. The decision was made to open the 2002 Conference to the entire state of Ohio and to join the other dioceses in the planning and implementation. The 2002 Ohio Young Adult Conference welcomed women and men in their 20s and 30s, single and married. The conference gathered 408 young adults from across Ohio with participation from the Diocese of Columbus, Toledo, Cincinnati, Youngstown, Lexington, Covington, Tampa, Rockville Center and Indianapolis. The conference included a keynote address by Bishop Roger Gries, OSB; 17 workshop choices on topics important to young adults; a mini-retreat option; Liturgy with Rev. Dan Reim, SJ, and an evening party with a DJ. It was a day of faith, friendship and fun. Our registration fee was $40.00, which included lunch and dinner. The website for the conference is www.ohioyoungadultministry.com.

Why does the program work?

We have 11 different committees and we have a young adult Chair for each committee. The young adults have a sense of ownership and empowerment with the conference, which is integral. Our role as Diocesan Staff is to animate the gifts and talents that young adults bring to the table, as well as ensuring that the business details are handled effectively.

What needs does it address for young adults?

• It addresses Young Adult Development - developing personal identity, developing relationships, developing a meaning of work and developing a spiritual life which are all identified in the pastoral plan as tasks of young adulthood.
• Servant Leadership - Young adults want to share their gifts and talents for the benefit of others within the Catholic Church.
• Christ Centered environment - The conference provides a welcoming Christ centered community that young adults have a hunger for. Young adults are searching for a way to belong to the Catholic Community and they want to make a difference.
• The conference offers the opportunity to grow in faith and knowledge
• The conference offers the opportunity to meet other young adults of similar faith and values.

What elements are crucial?

• Strong team formation - Someone who is willing to embrace one-on-one invitations to potential leaders.
• Long term planning - Have date, time, location and keynote always planned even as far out as 18 months!
• Multi layered Marketing - Ability to invite people through e-mail, website, brochure, church bulletins, personal invitation, etc.
• Ownership by young adults - We build ownership by listening to and empowering young adults. As staff members, we set the boundaries and sometimes we say no, but we do listen and shape the program according to their input.
• Designate a diocesan employee or another person in a paid leadership capacity to lead conference efforts.

Who to contact for more information

Paul Kelly at pekelly@dioceseofcleveland.org or 216-696-6525 x1130
Jim Pipik at jrpipik@dioceseofcleveland.org or 216-696-6525 x1030

Resources to help start this elsewhere

The job description, team structure, application and committee list developed for the conference are available upon request. You may find additional information at our website at www.ohioyoungadultministry.com.

Final Note

Our experience of the conference has been that when young adults of faith meet other young adults of faith, great things happen that go far beyond the conference. Young adults have a deep need to connect with other people their age who are trying to live their faith. Our job is to provide that opportunity in a good setting, and they take it from there. One of the best ways to evangelize young adults and to invite them to live their faith is to connect them to others their age who are living examples of faith. The conference offers an opportunity for young adults to connect to the church in a way that builds leadership and challenges young adults to share their gifts and talents for others. Many young adults want to share their gifts and talents and when tapped they develop a sense of ownership and belonging through sharing their gifts and talents. What a great way to evangelize!

Additionally, all of these reflect the Diocese of Cleveland investing in the resources, and professional staff who animate our Young Adult Ministry mission and values. It is strongly recommended that dioceses hire at least 1 full time person to attend to this critical ministry. By doing so the payback is tenfold for the young adults, the local church, the Diocese, and the advancement of God's kingdom.

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