To encourage local Catholics to provide support to vital programs for Catholic youth and young adults, The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington has launched the Youth Spring Hope initiative.
“Today’s youth are our hope and promise for a vibrant future of our Church and communities. Youth Spring Hope is an initiative to support programs that focus on improving engagement with youth and young adults to prepare and empower them to be the Church and community leaders of tomorrow,” said Joseph M. Gillmer, the archdiocese’s Executive Director of Development.
Programs in the Archdiocese of Washington supported by the Youth Spring Hope initiative include:
• 8th Grade Day Out: Rooted in Gospel values and the teaching mission of the Church, the Catholic Schools Office hosts about 600 students and their teachers in May at The Catholic University of America for a day of faith formation and reflection featuring interactive talks for students on faith, resilience, positive self-esteem, respect and much more.
• Catholic Civil Dialogue Initiative: Youth leaders learn ways to articulate Catholic Social Teaching in a consistent life ethic framework.
• Young Adult Engagement: Through dozens of spiritual, social, and service opportunities, the Office of Young Adult Ministry connects young adults to Jesus Christ and the mission of the local, national and global Church.
• CYO Youth Ministry Engagement: The Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) engages youth across our communities with formation, ministry, and leadership programs, including the upcoming Leaders Inspired to Evangelize (LITE) 2023 Retreat in June, World Youth Day activities in July and August, and the annual Youth Mass of Celebration and Thanksgiving in January.
In e-mailed comments to the Catholic Standard, archdiocesan officials underscored the impact that those programs have on youth and young adults.
At the 8th Grade Day Out held at Catholic University on May 2, about 300 girls and 300 boys from 20 different Catholic schools participated. Julie Marie Carrier, a best-selling author, speaker and authority on leadership development for young women and girls, spoke to the eighth grader girls, and Mike Tenney, a musician and blogger who hosts the podcast Pop Culture Catechism, spoke to the eighth grade boys.
Brian Radziwill, the Director for Government Programs & Grants for the archdiocese’s Catholic Schools Office, said, “The 8th Grade Day Out is a unique opportunity for our eighth graders to come together on Catholic University’s beautiful campus before their respective graduations. The talks and activities encourage them to be brave, courageous, and confident leaders and to know their worth. It is amazing to see their testimonies after just a short time together, and their commitment to following Christ as they embark on their high school years.”
Christina Mendez-Hall, the archdiocese’s Assistant Superintendent for Catholic Identity and Accreditation, also praised the 8th Grade Day Out gathering, saying such events “are so important for our young women who are often inundated by unrealistic and unhealthy messages on social media. At Girls Day Out they have the opportunity to think about how many God-given gifts and talents they have and that their value comes from being an amazing daughter of God, not from what society says.”
After 8th Grade Day Out, one of the girls praised the event on social media, saying, “Thank you, it made me think a lot about my worth and how I can value myself more.” Also on social media, one of the boys wrote, “I learned that God is truly always with you. After this event, I have been trying to get into the habit of praying every night.” Another boy wrote that he learned to “put your trust in God to guide you.”
Other archdiocesan officials reflecting on the programs supported by the Youth Spring Note initiative included Kathryn Yanik, the archdiocese’s Director of Life Issues; Amanda Schleimer, the archdiocese’s Program Director of Campus and Young Adult Ministry; and Kevin Donoghue, the president and CEO for the archdiocese’s Catholic Youth Organization.
Yanik noted, “Catholic Social Teaching asks us to connect faith and public life and to promote healthy discourse on social issues that are relevant to our faith. The Catholic Civil Dialogue Initiative provides youth and adults with a structured and safe environment to share how their experiences and values connect to Catholic teaching. Our goal is not to hide or bury our disagreements, but to promote healthy conversations and create an environment where we can all learn from one another.”
Highlighting the importance of young adult ministry in the archdiocese, Schleimer said, “Throughout the Archdiocese of Washington there are young adults who are seeking community and connection with others who share their faith. It is essential that we support our parish young adult communities so that our young adults have the space to walk alongside their peers as they grow in deeper relationship with Christ.”
Noting the impact that thousands of volunteer leaders serving as youth ministers, Scout and Troop leaders and athletic directors and coaches have on young people throughout the Archdiocese of Washington, Donoghue said that through those programs, “Youth are given the opportunities to experience the joys and expressions of their faith in everyday activities. Knowing that Jesus walks with them at all times gives them the comfort and foundation to be more open to his glory and carry on their faith throughout their lives.
We desperately need the valued gifts of support to continue our work to bring youth closer into the life of their parishes and to provide the opportunities to engage with more individuals through local activities and those nationally, and with global engagement such as World Youth Day.”
Gillmer praised how Catholics in the archdiocese “have been extraordinarily generous in supporting the mission and ministries throughout our communities.” He said the programs supported by the Youth Spring Hope initiative exemplify how community support can make a difference in the lives of Catholic youth and young adults who are an important part of the Church today and in the future.
Ways to support and help Youth Spring Hope include:
• Go online to adw.org/youth
• Call (301) 853-4488
• Mail donations to: Youth Spring Hope; C/O Office of Development; P.O. Box 29260; Washington, DC 20017-0260
