Youth Evangelization

Position:
Youth Evangelization

Status:
Exempt, 12-month full time

Supervisor:
Director, Evangelization and Mission

Faith:
The Youth Evangelization Director is a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church.

As Confirmation moves to sixth grade, the Director leads a diocesan reset of the culture of youth ministry: from ministry organized principally around sacramental preparation to sustained evangelization, accompaniment, belonging, and missionary discipleship throughout adolescence. The Director listens to young people and families, equips parish and school leaders, strengthens local capacity, and forms young people to exercise their baptismal gifts in the life and mission of the Church.

The Youth Evangelization Director will:

• develop and continually renew diocesan strategy for youth evangelization, aligned with the Diocesan Strategic Plan and grounded in listening to young people, families, pastors, schools, and culturally diverse communities.
• coach parishes in building post-Confirmation pathways marked by encounter with Christ, evangelizing catechesis, sacramental life, mentoring, small groups, service, vocational discernment, and mission.
• equip parish leaders to help young people as protagonists and peer evangelize rs who recognize their culture, language, experience, and talents as gifts for the Church and society.
• form and support clergy, parents, parish and school staff, youth ministers, adult mentors, and volunteers for relational, intercultural, and family-centered ministry.

• Spend 40-50% of working time in parish communities—urban, rural, multicultural, and underserved—listening, consulting, assessing local gifts and barriers, and coaching leaders toward practical renewal.
• Establish measurable diocesan priorities and regular structures through which diverse young people help shape ministry, including a Diocesan Youth Commission with meaningful youth membership.

• Help parish leaders develop locally appropriate pathways for grades 7-12, with multiple schedules, languages, and points of entry rather than a one-size-fits-all program.
• Equip parish leaders to partner with parents, grandparents, godparents, and other trusted adults to strengthen the domestic church through intergenerational prayer, conversation, service, healing, and discernment.
• Revive and renew retreat ministry with the St. Thomas More Center, Dowling Catholic High School, St. Albert School, and parish leaders so retreats become evangelizing encounters with Christ leading into ongoing accompaniment, small groups, sacramental life, and mission.

• Create a network of real opportunities with Catholic Charities and other outreach organizations aligned with the Catholic Church for youth leadership, peer outreach, meaningful service and social mission, especially among young people disconnected from parish life or claiming no religious affiliation.
• Collaborate with Vocations, Marriage and Family Life, Hispanic Ministry, Catholic schools, campus ministry, and parishes to foster vocational discernment and full participation in the Church's life.
• Coordinate appropriate diocesan, regional, and national opportunities, including NCYC, as components of sustained formation rather than stand-alone events.

• Provide accessible formation, opportunities for certification, coaching, and professional development in evangelizing catechesis, accompaniment, adolescent development, mental-health awareness and referral, safe-environment practice, intercultural ministry, and family partnership.
• Identify and mentor new…