What is “Ministry with Young Adults”?
In the model of Christ, the Good Shepherd, this is the Church’s pastoral care and accompaniment of men and women in their late teens, twenties, and thirties through community, evangelization and catechesis, prayer and spirituality, leadership development, and engagement in the social mission of the Gospel.
Through intentional pastoral ministry with young adults, “The Church can offer young adults a vision of life based on faith that calls each of them to holiness, community, and service” (Sons and Daughters of the Light). “In this way, by learning from one another, we can better reflect that wonderful multifaceted reality that Christ’s Church is meant to be.” (Christus Vivit).
Who Are Young Adults?
Young adults are persons in their late teens, twenties, and thirties who represent diverse cultural, racial, ethnic, educational, vocational, social, political, and spiritual backgrounds. They are college students, workers, and professionals; they are persons in military service; they are single, married, divorced, or widowed; they are with or without children; they are newcomers in search of a better life.