The ministry to Young Adults in the Church is a distinct
ministry that requires particular attention and care. Pope
John Paul II in his 1993 Message on World Day emphasised the
Church’s need to connect with young adults who have much to
offer to the church. The Church in turn has much to offer
young adults who often feel alienated and disconnected from
the faith community. Coming to maturity poses certain
challenges to young men and women. Young adults need the
Church’s help to deal with the challenges which their
burgeoning maturity presents. Among the challenges faced by
young adults are changes in relationships and family life,
career path choices, personal knowledge and faith
development, dealing with social breakdown and the issues
raised by technological advances and globalisation.
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of
Kingston Jamaica has identified the need to pay
special attention to young adult Catholics between the ages
of 18-35, a specific group within the larger community
designated as “Youth.” To that end it has commissioned a
Team of Young Adult Support Ministers with the specific role
of providing support for the spiritual and social
development of this group. The team’s mandate is to
“evangelise and motivate the young
adults of the Archdiocese in order that they might
dedicate/rededicate themselves to the active task of serving
their Church and the wider community.”
