Part One: The Growth and Development of the Church's Ministry with Adolescents

Adolescents who participate in parish youth ministry programs identify faith and moral formation as a significant contribution to their life, have a profound sense of commitment to the Catholic Church, attend Sunday Mass regularly, and show continued growth while they remain involved in youth programs. These are positive signs that the Church's investment in ministry with adolescents is making a difference in their lives and in the life of the Church.

Part Two:  Goals for Ministry with Adolescents

Goal 1: To Empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today.

Goal 2: To draw young people to responsible Participation in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic faith community.

Goal 3: To foster the total personal and spiritual Growth of each young person.

• The Ministry of Advocacy
• The Ministry of Catechesis
• The Ministry of Community Life
• The Ministry of Evangelization
• The Ministry of Justice and Service
• The Ministry of Leadership Development
• The Ministry of Pastoral Care
• The Ministry of Prayer and Worship

Part 4:  A Guiding Image for Ministry with Adolescents

A Vision of Youth Ministry captured the dynamics of ministry with adolescents through the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus (see Lk 24:13–35). This story became a guiding image for ministry with its emphasis on the relationship between young disciples and their Lord, a relationship characterized by presence, listening, faith sharing, and celebration. The Emmaus story will continue to guide the Church's ministry with adolescents, but a new image is emerging—the image of young people with a mission. Just as Jesus sent out the Twelve (Lk 9) and the seventy-two (Lk 10) to carry out his mission, today he sends out young people to proclaim the Good News and to build a world that is more just, more peaceful and more respectful of human life and creation.