This weekend, the Diocese’s Office of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministries will roll out an online survey seeking input from the young church in preparation for the Synod of Bishops’ 2018 General Assembly on “Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment.”
In its preparatory document, the bishops write that “the church has decided to examine herself on how she can lead young people to recognize and accept the call to the fullness of life and love, and to ask young people to help her in identifying the most effective ways to announce the Good News today.”
To this end, Greg Coogan, director of Youth, Young Adult and Campus Ministries, said his office is launching the online survey and holding training and formation this weekend at the Diocesan Youth Congress to provide adult and teen leaders the skills needed to conduct upcoming guided conversations in parishes and schools.
“The goal is to equip parish and school leadership and their respective communities to support and grow young disciples of Jesus Christ,” Coogan said.
“How are (our parishes and schools) welcoming and inviting others, and preaching the Gospel? How are we breaking through the noise of the secular culture? Are we creating opportunities for youth and young adults?” he replied when asked what questions the survey and guided conversations would address.
Bishop Dennis Sullivan and the Diocese of Camden want to hear the young church’s voices, he stressed.
“The church is with them. This time is an opportunity for the entire diocese to listen and respond to their needs,” he said.
After the completion of the online survey and guided conversations, summaries on the feedback gathered will be sent to South Jersey parishes, who will then develop their own specific pastoral plans for youth and young adult ministry.
“We’re encouraging pastors, and parish leaders to listen to young people,” Coogan emphasized.
Youth and young adults ages 14-39 are encouraged to take the 12-minute survey, and invite their friends to do so, as well. The survey can be found at www.camdendiocese.org/synod-2018/
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