Vision for Young Adult and Campus Ministry

We find in the story of the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24: 13-35) the vision of young adult and campus ministry:

  • To walk side by side with the people in our care on the pathway of their lives and allow them to share their stories
  • To share with them the living word of God, which can touch their hearts and minds and unfold the deep meaning of their experience in the light of all that Jesus said and did
  • To trust the capacity of prayer and sacrament to open the eyes of those we walk with to the presence and love of Christ
  • To invite them to live and share this Good News in the world

Our Hearts Were Burning

We commit ourselves to being a part of the transformative journey of discipleship made possible by the grace of our Risen Lord in our own lives and in the lives of all we are responsible for in our ministry.

Mission of Young Adult Ministry:

The Diocese of Rochester is committed to embracing the goals of Sons and Daughters of the Light as it continues to call Catholics in their twenties and thirties to a life of discipleship. Those goals are:

  • Connecting young adults with Jesus Christ
  • Connecting young adults with the Church
  • Connecting young adults with the mission of the church in the world
  • Connecting young adults with a peer community

The gifts that young adults bring to the church are diverse and inspirational. We are called as a people of God to acknowledge, support, and encourage those gifts in all of those we serve in the name of our Lord. We do so within the context of the wider mission of the Department of Evangelization and Catechesis.

 Mission of Campus Ministry:The Catholic campus ministers of the Diocese of Rochester are committed to forming disciples on the college campuses by implementing the six aspects of campus ministry described in Empowered by the Spirit:

  • Forming the Faith Community – The Church on campus is challenged to be a credible sign of unity as we celebrate our rich diversity and become a living reminder of the essential solidarity of all people.
  • Appropriating the Faith - Campus ministry has the task of enabling Catholics to achieve an adult appropriation of their faith so that they can live in greater communion with God and the Church, give more effective witness to the Gospel, and face the challenges to belief that exist in the academic world.
  • Forming the Christian Conscience - Campus ministry is called to bring the Gospel of Christ to bear on the moral problems faced by members of the academic community.
  • Educating for Justice - Campus ministry is called to be a consistent and vigorous advocate for justice, peace, and the reverence for all life.
  • Facilitating Personal Development - Christians must proclaim an ideal of self-fulfillment that is solidly rooted in the sacredness of persons, is placed in the service of the common good, and stays open to the God who is the source of all growth.
  • Developing Leaders for the Future - Campus ministry has the great opportunity to tap the immense pool of talent in our colleges and universities and to help form future leaders for society and the Church.

We do so within the wider context of the Catholic community, the mission of the Department of Evangelization and Catechesis, and with an appreciation for our role in the warp and weave of the tapestry of faith of those we serve.