CATHOLIC YOUTH COMMISSION OF T&T
RESOURCES
CATHOLIC
YOUTH
COMMISSION
OF T&T
RESOURCES
Jubilee with Youth
Following the stakeholders’ meeting in July 2024, a strong desire was expressed by our youth for greater opportunities in community building, intergenerational connections and shared spaces within the Archdiocese. In response, we are committed to hosting more youth-friendly events that align with the three aspects of the Jubilee with Youth: Integration, Pilgrimage and Hope. These events will foster vibrant, inclusive environments where young people can grow spiritually, socially and emotionally. Together, we aim to strengthen the bonds of our faith community, provide platforms for meaningful engagement, and create a sense of belonging as we journey in faith and unity.
Include Them!
Guidelines for Youth Participation in Jubilee Year
The Holy Father’s Message to Youth highlights key insights to assist parish leaders and their youth in developing transformative youth ministry. “Those who hope in the Lord will run and not be weary.” – Is 40:31
Referencing Isaiah, Pope Francis encourages youth to Walk in Hope. This is a journey every youth will need assistance to take, reminding us that youth cannot walk alone.
By listening to young people from over 40 parishes in 2024, there is one great commonality in their desire: [right relationship]. Youth have, in various fora and in various ways, highlighted a yearning for adults willing to walk with them without judgment and coercion, with compassion and empathy.
The Jubilee Year presents our archdiocese with 12 months in which we can reassess our ministry to and with youth and attempt new relational methods of co-existence with youth, affording them improved opportunities for participation in the life of the Church. This we refer to as inter-generational integration.
Inter-generational integration – creating ministry opportunities where youth can actively participate in the life of the Church by developing and demonstrating their gifts and talents, without sidelining or disenfranchising other generations.
Event coordinators, at the event level, should prioritize inter-generational integration as they plan, organize, and execute their activities for the Jubilee Year.
Jubilee with Youth
Following the stakeholders’ meeting in July 2024, a strong desire was expressed by our youth for greater opportunities in community building, intergenerational connections and shared spaces within the Archdiocese. In response, we are committed to hosting more youth-friendly events that align with the three aspects of the Jubilee with Youth: Integration, Pilgrimage and Hope. These events will foster vibrant, inclusive environments where young people can grow spiritually, socially and emotionally. Together, we aim to strengthen the bonds of our faith community, provide platforms for meaningful engagement, and create a sense of belonging as we journey in faith and unity.
Include Them!
Guidelines for Youth Participation in Jubilee Year
The Holy Father’s Message to Youth highlights key insights to assist parish leaders and their youth in developing transformative youth ministry. “Those who hope in the Lord will run and not be weary.” – Is 40:31
Referencing Isaiah, Pope Francis encourages youth to Walk in Hope. This is a journey every youth will need assistance to take, reminding us that youth cannot walk alone.
By listening to young people from over 40 parishes in 2024, there is one great commonality in their desire: [right relationship]. Youth have, in various fora and in various ways, highlighted a yearning for adults willing to walk with them without judgment and coercion, with compassion and empathy.
The Jubilee Year presents our archdiocese with 12 months in which we can reassess our ministry to and with youth and attempt new relational methods of co-existence with youth, affording them improved opportunities for participation in the life of the Church. This we refer to as inter-generational integration.
Inter-generational integration – creating ministry opportunities where youth can actively participate in the life of the Church by developing and demonstrating their gifts and talents, without sidelining or disenfranchising other generations.
Event coordinators, at the event level, should prioritize inter-generational integration as they plan, organize, and execute their activities for the Jubilee Year.
A Guide to Youth Pilgrimages and Parish Youth Ministry in 2025
This guide serves as a resource for planning transformative journeys of faith, inspired by Pope Francis’ message that young people should not “live life from a balcony,” but rather actively engage in the world around them. It underscores the importance of pilgrimages as meaningful spiritual experiences, focusing on preparation, community building and post-pilgrimage reflection. This resource supports youth leaders in creating opportunities for young people to experience personal growth through sacrifice and cultural engagement and grow spiritually while fostering connections with diverse communities.
A Guide to Youth Pilgrimages and Parish Youth Ministry in 2025
This guide serves as a resource for planning transformative journeys of faith, inspired by Pope Francis’ message that young people should not “live life from a balcony,” but rather actively engage in the world around them. It underscores the importance of pilgrimages as meaningful spiritual experiences, focusing on preparation, community building and post-pilgrimage reflection. This resource supports youth leaders in creating opportunities for young people to experience personal growth through sacrifice and cultural engagement and grow spiritually while fostering connections with diverse communities.
Youth Testimony:
Gabrielle Lynch Reflects on a Local Pilgrimage
Seventeen-year-old Gabrielle Lynch from La Brea Parish shares her experience participating in a three-church pilgrimage attended by her parish youth group. This sacred journey, dedicated to our Blessed Virgin Mother Mary, included visits to three Marian devotions:
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel RC, New Grant
- Our Lady of Guadalupe, Penal
- La Divina Pastora, Siparia.
Click the video to hear Gabrielle’s full story!
To Learn More About A Guide to Youth Pilgrimages and Parish Youth Ministry and Upcoming Mission Trips in 2025
The Hope Unmuted Challenge is a Jubilee Year initiative that recognizes the powerful role of personal storytelling in evangelization—especially among young people. Rooted in the spirit of Jubilee 2025: Pilgrims of Hope, this challenge invites parishes to take a proactive approach to ministering to youth
In this way, youth ministry becomes a true expression of the Church’s synodal and missionary identity. In a world where many young people are experiencing loneliness, confusion, or disillusionment, a peer’s authentic testimony can be more impactful than a sermon or teaching. When one young person courageously shares how they encountered Christ—through struggle, joy, doubt, healing, or change—it can open the door for another to feel seen, understood, and drawn closer to God.
In this holy year of renewal and grace, the Hope Unmuted Challenge is not just a creative activity—it is a mission of hope, a public witness of faith, and a call to community and belonging.
This challenge invites youth to become proclaimers of hope by sharing how God has been present and active in their lives.
Youth ministers get to accompany the youth they lead on an individual basis and share with the skills to proclaim Hope and become witnesses of God.
As a youth minister, accompaniment is the one of the most potent skills you have to help young people assert their Christian values. Its starts with knowing the young people you serve and ends with them becoming brave enough to share their faith in bold and exciting ways.
Young people often believe that God is not active in their lives. Your accompaniment with help them to recognize God working in their live and show the community that faith among young people is not dead.
Take the Challenge! Mission yourself to helping at least 1 young person. Help them tell their story and share their faith.
J’lani shared his story.
Do you know a young person who should share theirs?
Share with us via: