What We Do

Spirit Day Confirmation Retreats

Spirit Day is a multi-parish, day retreat for teens who are about to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation. Through the power of the Holy Spirit and the faith of the parish community, the goal of the Spirit Day Confirmation Retreat is to provide an opportunity for Confirmation candidates to experience an inner spiritual awakening that will inspire them to strengthen their relationship with Christ and his Church. The planning process begins at least six months in advance.

For more information, please contact Juan Pablo Padilla, coordinator of youth and young adult ministry and Pastoral Juvenil, at 312.534.8601.

Totus Tuus Chicago

Totus Tuus Chicago is a summer catechetical program sponsored by the Vocations Office.

For more information, please visit the Vocations Office site.

Holy Fire

Holy Fire is an event aimed to promote continuous encounters with Christ. The event invites sixth to ninth-grade students from parish religious education programs and Catholic schools to participate in activities centered around prayer and witness the joy that encourages them to become missionary disciples. Holy Fire helps young people see themselves as witnesses of Christ and members of a young church.

For more information, please click here.

National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC)

The NCYC is an exciting, biennial three-day experience of prayer, community and empowerment for Catholic teenagers and their adult chaperones. NCYC includes keynote addresses and workshop sessions that cover a wide variety of topics. There are also opportunities for liturgy, reconciliation, prayer and worship, recreation, and special activities including concerts, exhibits, and an interactive thematic park. NCYC is open to high school students and their chaperones. Most participants are Catholic and at various stages in their personal faith journey.

For more information, please click here.

Getting Started in Youth Ministry

“Getting Started in Youth Ministry” is a process that develops or revitalizes a parish youth ministry team. This process is facilitated by a Youth and Young Adult Ministry team member or an experienced Youth Ministry leader. “Getting Started in Youth Ministry” can be offered in an individual parish or in a grouping of parishes.

High School Campus Ministry Support

Campus ministry is at the heart of our Catholic high schools. Campus ministers are responsible for the faith formation of students and staff. Planning masses, retreats, service projects and prayer opportunities help communities grow closer to God and the Church. This is a joint project between the Youth and Young Adult Ministry Team and the Office of Catholic Schools. The high school campus ministers in the Archdiocese of Chicago meet several times a year for shared prayer, networking, reflection, support and professional development.

For more information, please contact Chelsea Piper, coordinator of youth and young adult ministry, at 312.534.8034.

Training and Consultation in Youth Ministry

The Youth and Young Adult Ministry Team can help develop parish-based teams of local leaders and empower them with training and consultation to provide strong parish and community-based programs. Parish leaders can also arrange consultations around ministry best practices, how to start a youth-ministry program and hiring support.

Support for Youth Ministers and Coordinators of Youth Ministry

The Youth and Young Adult Ministry Team offers parish and vicariate support to youth ministers for programs that reach middle-school and high-school-aged students.

Archdiocesan Pastoral Youth Council (APYC)

The APYC is comprised of Catholic high schooler students from each of the six vicariates of the archdiocese. These teenagers assist Cardinal Blase J. Cupich in developing strategies for the pastoral priorities of evangelization, vocations and leadership formation. The leadership role of an APYC representative is to engage, inspire and empower young disciples to actively participate in parish life and service in the archdiocese, supporting the mission and vision of Renew My Church.

To apply for a position on the Archdiocesan Pastoral Youth Council, please fill out the application by clicking here. All applicants must have an adult leader fill out this form in order to be considered for the APYC.

For more information, please contact Anna Dudek, co-moderator of APYC at [email protected].

Pastoral Juvenil Hispana (Hispanic Youth Ministry)

In Latino cultures, “jóvenes” are young people (ages 16-30) and their ministry is called “pastoral juvenil.” The Youth and Young Adult Ministry Team intentionally supports the unique realities of pastoral juvenil communities through consultation, networking and formation programs.

For more information, please contact Juan Pablo Padilla, coordinator of youth and young adult ministry and Pastor Juvenil at 312.534.8601.