Youth Ministry
Adolescents today are faced with an onslaught of challenges. Be it at school, online, or at home, pressures abound, and crises of faith are common. Youth Ministry works to solve these problems, knowing adolescents can bring their unique curiosity, energy, and passion to live as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Through the Office of Evangelization and Discipleship’s Youth Ministry, middle and high school students across the archdiocese learn and live out their Catholic faith. Youth Ministry fosters personal and spiritual growth in young people by supporting middle school and high school faith formation, retreats, and camps. It offers mental health and community support resources for teens, parents, and teachers along with social and service opportunities through Scouting and Catholic Metro Sports.
Youth Ministry equips youth ministers and parish catechetical leaders (PCLs) with the skills needed to ensure adolescents understand the fullness of their faith. Supported in part by the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal, youth ministers and PCLs regularly participate in professional development, networking, and spiritual growth opportunities, such as Theology of the Body workshops in partnership with the Respect Life Ministry.
Making an Impact
Through your support of the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal, Youth Ministry provides an annual orientation workshop for new parish youth ministers along with quarterly deanery meetings, giving parishes the chance to connect. Youth ministers are nurtured spiritually with an annual retreat at Camp Covecrest. They are then able to grow and network regionally and nationally with events like the EXCHANGE conference and the USCCB Regional Meeting on “Listen, Teach, Send.”
“Connecting with youth ministry leaders from across the country allowed me to share experiences, gain fresh perspectives, and collaborate on solutions to common challenges in today's youth ministry...I left feeling inspired and renewed in my mission to serve the teens in our community.”
- Daisy Olaya, Director of Youth Ministry for St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Woodstock, GA
“It was such a great way to connect, share, and learn from each other [about] how we do our ministries. One thing God reminded me is that I am not alone in this ministry and to not be afraid to reach new heights.”
- Osvaldo Baez, Middle School Youth Minister at St. Peter Chanel, Roswell, GA
What is Listen, Teach, Send?
This national pastoral framework is the first new document on youth ministry since 1997. Serving as host for the USCCB Regional Meeting on “Listen, Teach, Send,” the Archdiocese of Atlanta Youth Ministry will welcome participants from throughout the Southeast. Open to all families, teachers, and ministers serving adolescents, this learning opportunity strengthens the accompaniment and evangelization of youth. With this framework, teens can become protagonists in the Church and society at large.
Experience the Ministry
How You Can Help
While events for high schoolers are more common, middle school-focused faith formation opportunities are scarce. This transitional period can be an especially vulnerable time, but with your help, Youth Ministry can address this gap through Holy Fire.
Help Fund Holy Fire
“Holy Fire” A Day of Encounter for Middle School Youth invites young people to embrace their baptismal call as children of God and missionary disciples of Jesus Christ. With dynamic speakers, inspirational music, and profound encounters of the Eucharist through adoration and Mass, this event can be a spiritual spark for at least 800 middle schoolers from the Archdiocese of Atlanta and surrounding dioceses.
However, with their longtime partner no longer able to assist, Youth Ministry has taken on the full burden of running this faith formation event. High ticket prices can be a deterrent for many families, and the ministry wants to keep this event accessible for all.
Help Youth Ministry keep the cost of participation down and bring the Catholic faith to life in a relevant and engaging way.
$575 Can provide food for 100 kids
$2500 Can provide inspiring speakers to connect with middle school attendees
$5000 Can provide a professional band to enrich the experience
Any amount can help offset the costs and provide this valuable programming for middle schoolers.
Learn more about Youth Ministry here.
Participate in the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal and support ministries like these.