Whoever is called "to teach Christ" must first seek "the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus"... From this loving knowledge of Christ springs the desire to proclaim him, to "evangelize", and to lead others to the "yes" of faith in Jesus Christ. (CCC 428-429)

“Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” (John 20:21)

The phenomenon of the rising number of people who are disaffiliating from the Catholic Church—and religion altogether—presents a challenging cultural situation for the Church today. However, as Pope Francis reminds us, “challenges exist to be overcome! Let us be realists, but without losing our joy, our boldness, and our hope-filled commitment. Let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of missionary vigor!” (Evangelii Gaudium, 109)

While the missing generation of young adults represents a crisis in the life of the Church, it also serves as a summons to be intentional about welcoming and engaging young adults. This ministry resource page offers some tools to equip parish leaders to embark on this task and welcome the missing generation back home.

Articles:

• Engaging the Unchurched and Unaffiliated
• Welcoming and Engaging the Missing Generation
• How Hospitality Serves as a Gateway to Parish Life

Strategies:

• Tips for Engaging Young Adults in a Family of Parishes
• Schedule a consultation with Patrick Howard, Coordinator of Young Adult and Campus Ministry [email protected]
• Schedule a vision call with Pete Burak, Director of id (Intentional Disciples).

Free Courses:

• On Learn EGW - The Missing Generation: Strategies for Receiving and Engaging Young Adults in Our Parish Communities with Pete Burak | Powerpoint Slides
• On Revive - "Evangelization” with Chris Stefanick
• On Revive - “The Generational Divide: Who’s in the Pews” with Katie Prejean McGrady
• From Intentional Disciples (id) - "Spirit-filled Leaders Intensive Course" with Pete Burak

Resources:

• Hospitality Handbook | Ten Commandments of Parish Hospitality
• Four Resources for Getting Started in a Small Group
• Getting Connected with Detroit Catholic Young Adults (calendar, email/text, Mighty Network)
• Getting Connected with Detroit Catholic Campus Ministry
• CCO Faith Studies: Catholic Christian Outreach is a movement dedicated to evangelization. The Faith Studies are a tool for helping young adults come to faith in Christ and His Church. CCO challenges young adults to live in the fullness of the Catholic faith with a strong emphasis on becoming leaders in the renewal of the world.

Books:

• iGen: Why Today's Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy--and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood--and What That Means for the Rest of Us by Jean M. Twenge, PhD
• Pre-Evangelization and Young Adult "Native Nones": A New Paradigm for Reaching the Unchurched by Tamra Hull Fromm
• RETURN: How to draw your child back to the Church by Brandon Vogt

Documents/Studies:

• Evangelii Nuntiandi: Apostolic exhortation from Pope Paul VI promulgated on December 8, 1975, affirming the role of every Christian, not only ordained ministers, priests, and deacons, or religious, or professional church staff, in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
• Familiaris Consortio: Post-synodal exhortation written by Pope John Paul II promulgated on November 22, 1981 on the role of the Christian family in the modern world.
• Christus Vivit: Apostolic exhortation from Pope Francis written after the 2018 Synod on Young People, Faith, and Vocational Discernment. This provides important insights for young adult ministry.
• Outreach to the Unaffiliated Video and Discussion Guide for parish leaders from Bishop Barron and the USCCB Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis.
• 2018 Pew Research Data on Religious Attachment
• What Young Adults Say Is Missing From Church

For more information or to schedule a consultation meeting, please contact:

Patrick Howard
Coordinator of Young Adult and Campus Ministry
[email protected]

Anita Houghton
Associate Director of Engagement
[email protected]