Young Adult Ministry in Different Contexts

1 Core Training Franciscan Youth and Young Adult Animators What is Young Adult Ministry?

3 Where are our Young Adults? the urgent needs of the young are very different in different countries and continents... a) U.S., many choices in the area of spirituality vs YouFra-heavy countries, mostly Catholic societies quite often accompanied by the presence of Franciscans U.S., a cosmopolitan society quite diverse even within local communities vs other countries, usually one cultural identity, so sense of belonging is stronger. U.S., blessed with affluence, which means most young people have access to computers and internet, and freedom to obtain information vs other countries, often limited to outside, sometimes by government rules. U.S., most often leave home right after high school. This throws them into a culture filled with divisiveness and mixed messages vs other cultures, young people traditionally continue living at home until they are married or make a major life change which contributes to a sense of belonging, community, and support. Adulting is more difficult in the U.S. in many respects. b) c) d) e)

2 Who are our Young Adults? a. 18-39 years old Working or going to school Single or married With or without children b. (Reflection: What were you doing at the age of 18? 25? 30? 39?)

4 Sons and Daughters of the Light: Part 1 Four Key Tasks: Personal Identity Relationships Work Spiritual Life

5 Spiritual Life Characteristics: (We can certainly relate to these too.) 1.Discerning their purpose of life (Christ at the center) 2. Internalizing or challenging the faith they grew up with (Owning their faith) 3. Searching for an adult faith community (YouFra and/or Fraternity) 4. Trying to develop an inner life that corresponds to their outer life (Gospel to life; life to Gospel)

6 Life Today is Different Tasks undertaken over extended period of time. Lack of family, civic, and pastoral institutions to support them. Catechesis Old/believing leads to behavior leads to belonging vs Now/belonging leads to believing leads to behaving. (Emmaus Method)

7 Sons and Daughters of the Light: Part 2 Our Shared Call God invites us all, especially Secular Franciscans, to say yes to Jesus invitation to Come and follow me. A call to holiness A call to community A call to service

8 Sons and Daughters of the Light: Part 3 Goal of ministry To connect young adults: With Jesus Christ With the Church With the mission of the Church in the world With a peer community Use your imaginations, gifts and talents to find simple ways to do this!

9 Remember, our mission is to bring the gospel into the world, especially to our younger Catholics. Our example of living the gospel life, our invitation to consider a joyful, Christ centered life-style, and the opportunities we provide in the various areas, will hopefully lead young people toward holiness and closer relationship with God and maybe even a love for the Franciscan Order.

10 Pope Francis, in Christus Vivit: Dear young people, my joyful hope is to see you keep running the race before you, outstripping all those who are slow or fearful. Keep running, attracted by the face of Christ, whom we love so much, whom we adore in the Holy Eucharist and acknowledge in the flesh of our suffering brothers and sisters. May the Holy Spirit urge you on as you run this race. The Church needs your momentum, your intuitions, your faith. We need them! And when you arrive where we have not yet reached, have the patience to wait for us.

11 My joyful hope is to keep running the race before you, outstripping all those who are slow or fearful.

12 Keep running, attracted by the face of Christ, whom we love so much, whom we adore in the Holy Eucharist and acknowledge in the flesh of our suffering brothers and sisters.

13 May the Holy Spirit urge you on as you run this race.

14 The Church needs your momentum, your intuitions, your faith. We need them! And when you arrive where we have not yet reached, have the patience to wait for us.

15 We re going to wait a while before we begin holding our new zoom presentations, so you have time to: 1) Research who and where the youth and young adults are in your region. 2) Find some young adults to listen to. Invite them for coffee or a meal. Hold your own synod. 3) Delve into Renewing the Vision, Sons and Daughters of the Light, and Listen, Teach, and Send (all found on the USCCB website)

16 YOUR TASKS 1) Develop teams 2) Create plans 3) Brainstorm ideas for best practices.

16 We commission folks are here to inspire you, support you, and encourage you in this important mission. Blessings on your work and let us know if there s anything we can do to help you!