The Emmaus Youth Ministry is a year-round faith formation program, open to all youth in 7th thru 12 grades, designed to provide an ongoing encounter with the love of Jesus Christ and support youth in the adventure of discipleship.

Youth ministry should be an ongoing Emmaus experience!

Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, Jesus interpreted to them what referred to him in all the scriptures. As they approached the village where they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther.

But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So, he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at the table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them.

With that, their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning [within us] while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?” 

Luke 24:27-32

Goals of Emmaus Youth Ministry

As outlined by the US Bishops, three goals provide the foundation and direction for our Emmaus Youth Ministry program.

1. Empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world as we experience it today. This goal includes ongoing catechesis and formation to prepare them for a life of discipleship – including exploring a vocation to religious life.
2. To encourage young people to participate in the sacramental life, evangelical mission, and pastoral work of the Catholic Church.
3. To foster each young person's total personal and spiritual growth. This goal aims to develop healthy, competent, caring, and faith-filled young Catholic people.

Today's youth are hungry for the challenge of discipleship; they long to experience an invitation that is bold and big enough for their life’s dreams and visions. Our parish efforts in youth ministry should feed that hunger and help them to grow deeper in their faith. A practical and vibrant youth ministry program will always require the concerted, collaborative, and coordinated efforts of a faith community such as Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.