Our Mission
The Office of Youth & Young Adult Accompaniment strives to accompany the teens and young adults in the Diocese of Youngstown by forming disciples for Jesus Christ through a ministry of presence, programs, and missionary service. This includes facilitating collaboration, generating enthusiasm, and creating and promoting opportunities to personally encounter Jesus Christ.
Goals
Dedicated to a mission-driven culture, we actively engage and accompany youth and young adults across the Diocese of Youngstown. Our primary focus is on providing ample opportunities for their growth in love and knowledge of Christ—the protagonist of the greatest love story ever told. Simultaneously, we are committed to equipping and encouraging leaders in youth, young adult, and campus ministries throughout the diocese, fostering a vibrant and impactful community.
What is a missionary disciple?
A missionary disciple is one who joyfully proclaims the Gospel in word and deed, but mostly by ministry of presence; by joyfully ‘unfastening their sandal straps at the foot of another,’ knowing that they are stepping on sacred ground. A missionary disciple is one who allows the “love of Christ [to] urge us on” (2 Cor. 5:14); who allows Love to propel him or her forward.
What does it mean to live a life of mission?
Pope Paul VI in his Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Nuntiandi states that “life is attained and matures in the measure that it is offered up in order to give life to others. That is certainly what mission means.”
To live a life of mission is to love one another. We are all missionaries by merit of our baptism! Living a life of mission is setting sail into the reckless sea. It is coming after Jesus, and trusting him to make us “fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). It is the story of the prodigal son – setting aside our selfish needs and interests to welcome back home the lost, isolated, and rebellious.
Upcoming Events
Announcements & Upcoming Events
Theology on Tap
Theology on Tap is an invitation to young adults (18-39) to delve deeper in their faith and in community with other members of the Church.
ENCOUNTER 2025
Save the date of March 8th, 2025 for our next diocesan youth convention – titled Encounter LOVE – with a four-year rolling theme of “encounter.” Questions? Please contact Maddie DiSalvatore at mdisalvatore@youngstowndiocese.org.
Save-the-Dates: Youth & Young Adult Ministry Events in 2025
[YA] Christmas in the Cabin & Christmas at the Orchard on January 3; [HS] Night of Praise on January 12; Diocesan Confirmation Retreat on February 1; [HS] ENCOUNTER on March 8, 2025
ENCOUNTER 2025 Sponsorship Packages Available
Sponsorship packages available for our next diocesan youth convention – titled Encounter LOVE – with a four-year rolling theme of “encounter.” Questions? Please contact Maddie (DiSalvatore) Francisco at mfrancisco@youngstowndiocese.org.
Annual Global Celebration of Youth and Young Adults
On this feast day… the Church proclaims the Kingdom of Christ, already present, but still growing in all its mystery towards its full manifestation … young people are indispensable bearers of the dynamics of the Kingdom of God, the hope of the Church and the world. – St. John Paul II
FG2G on January 12, 2025 | Youth Ministry
Join youth ministries from across the diocese for this unique event on the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord!
RESOURCES
Diocesan Confirmation Retreat
The Office of Youth and Young Adult Accompaniment is providing a Confirmation Retreat Guide and piloting a collaborative Confirmation retreat. Questions? Please contact Maddie DiSalvatore at mdisalvatore@youngstowndiocese.org.
Fundraiser Ideas
Various fundraiser ideas to try within your parish to raise money for youth trips.
The Office of Youth and Young Adult Accompaniment is on Social Media!
The Office is now posting updates, events, and more on Facebook and Instagram, in addition to on the DOY website and the Communique. Please give it a like and a follow!
Listen, Teach, Send: A National Pastoral Framework for Youth and Young Adult Ministries
Listen Teach Send is a new framework for ministry with Youth and Young Adults approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in June of 2024.
Retreat Ideas
The Office of Youth and Young Adult Accompaniment has compiled a list of retreat sites over the past couple of decades and wants to share them with you in hopes of assisting you in achieving your youth retreat needs.
Contact
Maddie Francisco
Director of Youth & Young Adult Accompaniment, Discernment, Formation and Missionary Discipleship
(330) 744-8451 x310
Please contact me if:
- You need help promoting an event or program!
- You have been recently hired by the diocese and would like some resources!
- You need moral support or someone to brainstorm ideas with!