Office of Catholic Youth Ministry to become Office of Family, Youth, and Young Adult Evangelization

Youth ministry has been an important missionary activity in the Diocese of Providence for over 75 years. Many dedicated people have shared their gifts through this ministry during that time. We thank God for their commitment and hard work. 

Unfortunately, we have seen a significant decline in participation in youth ministry efforts for the past 20+ years. This decline in activity, and thereby a decline in the intended fruits, has been caused by a variety of factors, including but not limited to: demographics shifts, lack of parish commitment, a significant decline in paid parish staff focusing on this ministry, stagnant methods, unclear vision, cultural decline, pastoral planning realities (too many parishes, too few priests/resources/leaders), etc. 

There is hope. A shift in vision and thereby a shift in the scope of the Office of Catholic Youth Ministry can offer a path forward into the future. 

The number one indicator of lifelong, adult faith (outside of God’s grace) is the presence of faith-filled parents in the lives of children and young people. Significant research (see Smith et al) and anecdotal evidence supports this reality. Historically, parents have either been seen as an obstacle to youth ministry efforts or have been kept on the sidelines with a presumption that they have “raised” their children in the faith. A path forward begins with recognizing that now is the time of the domestic church. 

After many conversations with Diocesan leadership, priests, parish lay leaders, current staff from the Office of Catholic Youth Ministry, the Diocesan Youth Ministry Advisory Board, and a subcommittee of that board the following path was created: 

The Office of Catholic Youth Ministry will become the Office of Family, Youth, and Young Adult Evangelization. The office will work to accompany and support parishes in the mission of forming disciples: bringing families, youth, and young adults into relationship with Christ. 

The Diocese will be immediately seeking to hire a director for this office who, upon being hired, will begin to create a plan to engage, equip, and send disciples into the mission field of evangelizing families, youth, and young adults. 

Please join us in praying for this new office and for God to send us the right candidates for the position. We ask the following patron saints to intercede on our behalf: