For inspiration in writing this column, I often “google” the words “Catholic youth ministry” to see which diocese is doing what. The Diocese of Arlington caught my attention. They have a unique attitude regarding local groups of youth ministers meeting on their own—why should they be meeting as separate entities?

The Diocese of Arlington includes over seventy parishes with fifty full-time paid youth ministers. The diocese is not geographically very large. Most of the parishes are located along the D.C. Beltway with just a 12–15 mile spread. This makes it easy for youth ministers to get together on a regular basis.

Rather than have a separate group that runs itself, this Office of Youth Ministry (OYM) takes it all in their hands. Director Kevin Bohli shared the main purpose of their office as being threefold:

1. Support youth ministers so they do not feel like Lone Rangers out there practicing ministry, but know they are part of a larger, supportive community.
2. Plan diocesan events for the participation of all parishes. Their biggest event is a diocesan-wide summer work camp that has a full-time director on staff. With over three hundred youth attending each year, this camp is able to move around the diocese and serve the people in their own backyards, leaving the youth with a grassroots feeling towards service.
3. Help parishes to hire youth ministers that are qualified, while also promoting youth ministry in the diocese among pastors. Youth ministry has been quickly growing during the past six years in the diocese.
   

The OYM in Arlington offers several opportunities for their youth ministers. These yearly events include two in-services, at least two days of reflection with their peers, a kickoff event in August, a three-day retreat in the winter, and several evening gatherings to help include those who work part-time or volunteer in the ministry. Food and drinks are always provided at the gatherings, all paid for by the diocesan office. There are also gatherings offered at various centrally located parishes. Each event includes a Mass because “praying together is just as important as playing together.”

The OYM wants to be seen as a service to youth ministers and makes events as appealing as possible. Being a youth minister in a parish can be overwhelming, so the OYM makes sure that youth ministers have a chance to interact, talk, share, gripe, and socialize with their peers. Each youth minister is given a binder full of resources. New youth ministers are taken out to lunch and receive a lot of one-on-one contact to help them feel important and valued.

Why does the office offer such personalized support? Kevin explained that he often hears how the youth minister feels like the low priority in the parish. He does not take the attitude of: oh yeah, let's invite the youth minister too, but rather, you are the first priority in the diocesan office and what can we do to help you? All for you is the motto of the OYM in Arlington.

What is special and unique about your diocese’s youth ministry organization? Email Kelly today and see your group featured here!