Vision
Ministry to Catholic young adults in the military falls under the guidance and involvement of the Catholic Chaplain. His collaboration with Catholic young adults, the command religious program, area chaplains, and ministry leaders serves to assess the pastoral needs.
Who are young adults?
Young adults are persons in their late teens, twenties, and thirties who represent diverse cultural, racial, ethnic, educational, vocational, social, political, and spiritual backgrounds. They are college students, workers, and professionals; they are persons in military service; they are single, married, divorced, or widowed; they are with or without children; they are newcomers in search of a better life.
The Catholic bishops of the United States drafted a pastoral framework as a response to “Christus Vivit” to cast a renewed vision for local implementation of a synodal, accompanying, and engaging Church in relation to youth and young adults.
Catholic priests, coordinators, and young adults are encouraged to read the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops framework for ministries with youth and young adults.
A National Pastoral Framework for Ministries with Youth and Young Adults: Listen, Teach, Send, 2024
There are more than 300,000 Catholic young adults serving in all branches of the armed forces. Active-duty young adult leaders have articulated that effective young adult ministry fosters a culture of going out to the young adults to invite them in. It encourages mentoring and prayer and focuses on lay leader training and the basics of the faith (ex: AMS USA app, Reach More Movement, etc.).
Young adult ministry leaders should work to translate the Gospel to answer basic questions such as “Why go to Church?”, “Why get married in the Church?”, and “How does the Church help me answer life’s questions?” They should promote activities that help young adults get off the installation such as pilgrimages, tours, etc. Many times it is helpful to increase use of social media, specifically to be present on cell phones. Ministry leaders should always continue to consult with young adults to both seek and share insights.
