The Office of Youth Ministry provides formation for parish youth ministry leadership in accordance with national standards for competency and ethics that are foundational to effective ministry with adolescents. The formation process, rooted in Catholic tradition, focuses on the specialized training of knowledge and skills for meeting the needs of all youth and for recruiting, training, and supervising volunteers.

The Office of Youth Ministry works in collaborative partnerships with diocesan, parish, school, and community leaders to promote and foster ministry with adolescents. The office emphasizes comprehensive youth formation, supporting various models for ministry. Additionally, the department engages the Church to examine its priorities and practices to determine how well young people are integrated into the life, mission, and work of the Catholic community.

The Office of Youth Ministry is inspired by the Holy Spirit, and is guided by Sacred Scripture, Tradition, the Mission of the Diocese and “Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry.”