Office of Youth and Young Adults

Now, more than ever, the Church is calling for individuals and parishes to journey with young people. Young people are more likely to stay involved with their faith if they have at least 5 adults who invest in them and their faith. The Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry (OYYA) serves youth (middle and high school aged teenagers), young adults (those in their 20’s and 30’s), and those who minister to young people in the Catholic Diocese of Gary.

Through collaboration with parish leaders and youth-serving organizations, the Diocese of Gary OYYA seeks to nurture the total personal and spiritual enrichment of our youth and young adults, and to call them to full participation in the life, mission, and work of the faith community as portrayed by Jesus in the Gospels. The OYYA is able to provide personalized training and formation opportunities as well as resources for parishes seeking assistance for their ministry with young people. The OYYA also hosts various events for teens and young adults throughout the year. 

As Pope Francis wrote in Christus Vivit, "Youth [and young adult] ministry has to be synodal; it should involve a “journeying together” that values “the charisms that the Spirit bestows in accordance with the vocation and role of each of the Church’s members, through a process of co-responsibility... Motivated by this spirit, we can move towards a participatory and co-responsible Church, one capable of appreciating its own rich variety, gratefully accepting the contributions of the lay faithful, including young people and women, consecrated persons, as well as groups, associations and movements. No one should be excluded or exclude themselves”." (Christus Vivit, 111) The Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry is ready to help you minister to young people!

For Additional Information about The Office of Youth and Young Adults, please click here 

Contact Us

Ms. Vicky Hathaway
Youth & Young Adult Ministry Coordinator