Sons & Daughters of the Light: A Pastoral Plan for Ministry with Young Adults (1996)
Initiated after the 1993 visit by Pope John Paul II to Denver for World Youth Day, this is the first time the bishops of the United States have specifically addressed the area of young adult ministry
Goals for Ministry with Young Adults
1. To connect young adults with Jesus Christ
Objectives: Spiritual formation and direction based on personal relationship with Jesus; religious education and formation to help young adults appreciate the Church’s teachings and traditions; vocation discernment
2. To connect young adults with the Church
Objectives: Evangelizing outreach where young adults gather/ forming the faith community by inviting young adults to participate in Church life; pastoral care that responds to the spiritual and developmental needs of young adults
3. To connect young adults with the mission of the Church in the world
Objectives: Conscience formation based on the Gospel and on Church teaching; providing educational and service opportunities to practice gospel values; developing leaders for society and Church life
4. To connect young adults with a peer community
Objectives: To form faith communities of peers; to develop peer leadership; to identify young adult teams in parishes, organizations and on college campuses