Region 12 News
The Balancing Act of Diocesan Offices of Youth Ministry in Region 12
Since July 1, 2004, we have had three people resign their position: Eric Sova (Helena), Nick Wavers (Baker), and Jesse Heine (Juneau). They were not due to cutbacks, but for personal reasons. These ministers were all a great benefit to Region 12 and will be missed. On the other hand, just recently Fairbanks (our one diocese without an office) hired a new director. Besides these changes we wanted to share the excitement that is coming out of the Archdiocese of Seattle in the following.
In the fall of 2004, Archbishop Brunett published A Future Full of Hope, which outlines archdiocesan priorities and goals for the next five years. One of the priorities that emerged from this process of consultation and the resulting vision statement was the need to enhance parish and archdiocesan efforts aimed at serving youth and young adults. On July 1, 2004, in anticipation of the promulgation of A Future Full of Hope, Archbishop Brunett established the Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry as a visible sign of and response to the five-year priorities set forth by the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council.
With the creation of the new office, the archbishop gathers key archdiocesan staff and resources involved in ministry to youth and young adults, and places them within a single office ensuring effective planning, coordination, and collaboration.
In his role as the archbishop’s delegate for youth and young adults, Stephen Hueffed has assumed oversight of the office and is tasked with ensuring that programs and resources respond effectively to the priorities outlined by the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council, as well as to the needs of pastors and parish leadership. Additionally, he and the staff of the office bring a renewed commitment to enhancing the inclusiveness of all youth and young adult efforts.
Tauno Latvala continues in his role as executive director of CYO, but also takes on a leadership role within the larger office as the associate director. This dual role ensures CYO staff and programs have the day-to-day support and direction historically provided by the executive director, while ensuring that CYO’s staff and programs are fully integrated into the vision and ministry of the new office.
While much of the structure looks similar to other diocesan structures, staff have been organized around mission and function instead of particular demographic served. For example:
Frances Farrell as director, Special Events and Service Programming works in close collaboration with Karla Murphy, coordinator, Event Planning and Registration and Jose Ortiz, coordinator, Special Events and Service Programming. Together they focus on planning, promoting, and overseeing all aspects of diocesan events and service and mission opportunities for both youth and young adults.
Director, Retreat Ministry and Leadership Development (vacant position) and the coordinator of Retreat Ministry (vacant position) will work as a team developing, promoting, and implementing a comprehensive archdiocesan retreat ministry for youth and young adults.
The ministry will begin in the fall of 2005 with a number of youth and young adult retreats offered in a variety of formats and settings. Beginning in the fall of 2006 the ministry will expand to include a broad range of retreat planning and facilitation services for parishes and faith communities. An eight-member Retreat Ministry Service Team comprised of young adults will staff the ministry, committing one to two years of service to the archdiocese. In addition to retreats, the team will offer a series of content driven programming options to parishes, especially those in the outlying areas without access to professional staff.
Staff of the CYO continue to provide services and programs for youth in the areas of athletics, outdoor ministry (camping, environmental education, challenge course), and Scouting.
- Mike Balicki, Director of Athletics
- Megan McArthur, Co-Director, Outdoor Ministry
- Mike Heinrich, Co-Director, Outdoor Ministry
- Dave Wellings, Environmental Education
In addition to continuing the programs and services that were already in place for youth and young adults, such as Youth Convention, Junior High Rally, and the Youth Migrant Project, the office has begun work on many new initiatives. Among them:
- ONE Week Service Program for Junior High Youth—A total of 10+ sites over four weeks located in each of the ten deaneries of the Archdiocese
- SonFest Summer Gatherings—Held in four regional sites for High School Youth, the 2005 gatherings feature Fr. Tony Ricard
- Field Staff and Consulting Services—Training and workshops for Parishes and Faith Communities
- Breakthrough Workshop Series—Leadership Development series for parish and faith community leadership
- International Young Adult Service and Mission Task Force – Exploring opportunities for service in Asia, Africa, and Central and South America
- Catholic Campus Ministry Leadership Training Program – Aimed at student leaders from community colleges and four-year universities without a formal Catholic ministry
In addition, the office manages funding and provides support for Catholic campus ministry programs within the archdiocese.
All of us in the staff of the Office for Youth and Young Adult ministry are truly looking forward to a future full of hope working with youth and young adults and those who minister to and with them. We also look forward to collaborating with our fellow diocesan directors in Region 12 and with the NFCYM!
Email Connections at connections@nfcymoffice.org