One Family in Faith: Walking Together in Faith and Friendship

Mission Statement

As part of One Family in Faith at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, our Youth Ministry is a place where young people are welcomed, known, and valued. Together, we walk in faith and friendship — growing closer to Christ and one another through service, worship, and joy. With the acceptance and support of our entire parish family, we encourage youth to explore and grow in their faith, take on leadership, and discover the joy and responsibility that comes from living as disciples of Jesus.

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What is Comprehensive Youth Ministry?

At World Youth Day in 1995, Pope Saint John Paul II challenged the Church to become a “traveling companion of young people.” In response, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops published Renewing the Vision (1997), a foundational guide for Catholic Youth Ministry.

This document identifies three primary goals:

1. Empower youth to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today.
2. Draw young people into responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic community.
3. Foster the personal and spiritual growth of every young person.

To meet these goals, Renewing the Vision outlines eight core components that guide our youth ministry

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Core Team and Ministry Structure

Our Youth Ministry Core Team—made up of both adult and youth members—meets monthly to plan meaningful opportunities for growth, friendship, and faith. Working with our pastor and parish staff, the team coordinates activities and outreach based on the eight core components.

We also have subcommittees focused on specific areas of ministry:

• Community Life:
  Plans social gatherings and family-friendly events such as pancake breakfasts, game nights, snow tubing trips, and senior luncheons.
• Prayer and Worship:
  Offers opportunities to deepen our spiritual life through experiences like the Youth Stations of the Cross, seasonal prayer services, and community reflection events.
• Justice and Service:
  Supports charitable outreach and social justice efforts including food drives, the Angel Tree, Relay for Life, and global missions like the H2O Project.
• Evangelization:
  Plans retreats and faith-based gatherings that help young people explore and strengthen their relationship with God and one another.
• Catechesis
• Fundraising

In addition, youth are encouraged to grow as leaders through diocesan programs such as:

• Camp Breakaway
• S.A.L.T. (Service Action Learning Teams)
• National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC)