The Office of Youth Ministry exists to advocate for and assist parishes in the continued faith formation of high school aged parishioners. We use the USCCB Document "Renewing the Vision" as our guide to train parish youth ministry leaders to offer a comprehensive youth ministry program at the local level. We advocate for the inclusion of young people in all aspects of parish life. We provide young people Catholic leadership training programs, encounter retreats, service and mission trips, and social justice opportunities as well as experiences of large Church gatherings in Diocesan, Regional, National, and International settings.

Our goal is to provide opportunities for high school aged young people to experience Jesus Christ alive in their world today.

DEPARTMENT HEAD:
Mrs. Jamila M. Evans
Director of Youth Ministry
(203) 416-1441
Email jevans@diobpt.org

Goals of Youth Ministry:

Christian formation of youth.
• Foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person.
• Offer opportunities for young people to encounter Christ and develop a profound friendship with him.
• Authentic encounters with Christ include regular opportunities to participate in the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist and Sacrament of Reconciliation.  
• There is also a strong emphasis on the importance of the Sunday Mass and daily prayer.

Motivate young people to evangelize.
• Challenge young people to be heroically faithful to Christ and empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today. • Create opportunities for evangelization.

Motivate young people to serve others.
• Draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic faith community.  
• Challenge young people to joyful service and charitable activities.




Friday, February 8th – Sunday, February 10th 2008:
Mount 2000 Retreat
Seek the Face of Christ, Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, Maryland
http://www.mount2000.com

Saturday, April 19th, 2008:
Youth Mass with Pope Benedict!
St. Joseph Seminary in Yonkers New York

Friday, May 2nd – Sunday, May 4th:
High School Apostles Retreat!

Sunday, June 15th – Sunday, June 22nd 2008:
Eucharistic Congress
Quebec City, Canada
http://www.cei2008.ca

Saturday, July 12th – Thursday, July 24th 2008:
World Youth Day
Sydney, Australia
http://www.officepastoralservices.org/youth.htm

Friday, July 11th – Sunday, July 13th:
Steubenville East Conference

Saturday, August 16th:
Fan the Fire
Youth Rally