As the summer came to close and September wrapped up, it’s extremely hopeful to see the dedicated work that parish youth ministries are offering teens and tweens across the Archdiocese of Toronto. By the end of summer, the Office of Catholic Youth reported 63 parishes offered anywhere from one to five weeks of summer camp experiences at their parishes. In total, 5,340 kids from senior kindergarten to Grade 8 attended camps at parishes.

Towards the end of August, 35 parishes collaborated to offer 646 tweens – between Grades 6 and 8 – a regional Edge Camp at Camp White Pine in Haliburton, Ont. This marks the fifth straight year since the pandemic that saw increased parish collaboration with the OCY and increased attendees at Edge Camp.

As well, on the September 19 and 20 weekend, the OCY hosted its ELEVATE Youth Ministry training day for priests, staff and volunteers involved in helping run youth ministry at parishes. This year, 545 registered attendees participated from over 41 parishes. An encouraging sign, however, is that more parishes are becoming increasingly self-sufficient and able to offer their own in-house training and formation at the parish.

Overall, parish youth ministers continue to be successful in helping disciple young members of the church deeper into the life of their parishes. Please continue to pray and support their efforts.

The Office of Catholic Youth exists to help youth and young adults encounter, love and serve Jesus Christ. The OCY serves parishes, priests, youth ministers, and ministry leaders by helping establish and grow youth ministries that meet the unique needs of their communities. They provide resources and support for deeper faith engagement with young parishioners and the youth in the surrounding areas.

For more information, please contact youth@archtoronto.org or 416-599-7676.