One of the objectives of the increased emphasis being placed on World Youth Day-USA San Angelo, on July 30, 2016 is to breathe new life into the critical area of young adult ministries and their importance to the life and future of the Church itself. In fact, Bishop Michael J. Sis wrote in the June 2016 West Texas Angelus that the WYD event in San Angelo, “will provide a springboard to launch a new era of vibrant young adult ministry in West Texas.”

The importance of active, involved young adult ministries in churches cannot be overstated and often leads to an increased energy in the parish. The ideas and helpful skill sets brought by the newly involved can often help propel a parish’s ongoing programs for a new generation of parishioners.

“Young adults bring skills for social communications, social media and creativity that help us in our parishes to make a greater impact in the world around us,” Bishop Sis said. “These young adults know how to connect with our culture in ways that some of us middle age or older adults do not. They can help spread the message of the Gospel more effectively.”

At St. Mary’s in College Station, where Bishop Sis served in the early years of his priesthood, a number of young adults who were studying or had recently completed their college educations in finance, accounting or banking, were always included as members of the church’s finance council.

“Young adults can often bring their professional training to our parish councils that help other adults see more effective ways of doing things,” Bishop Sis said.

The bishop cited a recent example in the diocese, noting how three young adult men in Abilene approached him about beginning a program that they felt would benefit religious communities. The idea was an application of their skills in Internet marketing.

The men, all of whom are new fathers, are, along with their wives, raising their families in the faith, listening to Catholic radio and living out the faith in their homes.

“It was their initiative, their skills and their love for the Church that allowed us to have that meeting,” Bishop Sis said. “I told them we need about 10,000 more guys just like them in our diocese. They are studying Catholic Theology in their spare time, marrying in the Church, and raising their kids in the faith. That’s what happens when you engage young adults.

The bishop added that not only are new skill sets and ideas introduced through young adults, but new life itself.

“They bring life to parishes,” he said. “They bring a whole new supply of volunteers for various ministries. A parish that doesn’t include many young adults at a certain point gets old and exhausted. Volunteers can get worn out and start to lose hope for the future of their ministries because they don’t know who is going to take it over after them. When you have young adults getting active in the parish they are ready to work — and they want to get involved and share their talents. A parish whose volunteer leadership truly understands this sees the future of their very ministries assured by this new life.”