As we begin a new ministry year, we pause with grateful hearts to celebrate all that God accomplished through you and our NFCYM community during the 2025-2026 ministry year.
This past year, your dedication, generosity, and faithful witness made an impact across the country. Your commitment to accompanying young people helped new initiatives take root, leaders grow, communities strengthen, and young people deepen their relationship with Christ.
As you read, I hope you see not only what we accomplished together, but the difference your commitment continues to make for young people and those who accompany them. I am deeply grateful for each of you and look forward to all that God will continue to do through us.
LOOKING BACK
June 2026 marked the conclusion of our five year strategic plan. Your participation, partnership, and dedication helped bring our four focus areas to life, strengthening leaders, elevating the voices of young people, accompanying families, and building a stronger community around our shared mission. Here are a few ways that vision came to life this past year.
Five-Year Strategy (July 1, 2022-June 30, 2026)
Focus Area 1 - Embrace the Essential Elements of Comprehensive Youth Ministry
The Accompaniment Project expanded to the Dioceses of Reno and Crookston, helping pave the way for a sustainable model that can be shared with dioceses across the country.
Through Accompany, we published three issues of the magazine, reaching more than 3,700 mailboxes, and launched the Accompany Podcast and NFCYM Podcast Network. We also awarded 14 microgrants totaling more than $91,000 to support ministry and innovation.
To read past editions of the magazine, Click Here >
To learn more about the podcast network, Click Here >
Focus Area 2 - Embrace the Profession and Practice of a Youth Ministry Leader
Supporting and strengthening ministry leaders remained central to our work. Twenty-two new diocesan directors participated in NDDI for formation, connection, and prayer designed to support them in their diocesan leadership. To read about their experience, Click Here >
We also recognized Patrick Clasby, Rich Donovan, Michael Marchand, Jeffrey Corder, Joan LaBone, Timothy Janiszewski, and Joyce Francois as 2025 National Youth Ministry Award recipients, in recognition of their leadership, service, and contributions to youth ministry. To learn more about the awards and the recipients, Click Here >
Focus Area 3 - Understand and Engage Youth as Protagonists
Young people remained at the center of our shared work and mission. Ten members of the National Youth Advisory Council traveled to Ghana to witness firsthand the work of Catholic Relief Services in West Africa, deepening their understanding of global solidarity and their role as young protagonists in the life and mission of the Church. To learn about their experience, Click Here >
Focus Area 4 - Support the Growth of the Domestic Church
Recognizing the essential role of parents and families in the faith lives of young people, SacredTable expanded its reach through Deep Dives in six dioceses. To learn more about SacredTable, Click Here >
We also hosted the second Bishops’ Gathering, bringing bishops and parents together for dialogue, listening, and reflection on how the Church can better accompany families. To read about the Bishops’ Gathering, Click Here >
NFCYM COMMUNITY IN ACTION
Membership
Your community grew this year as we welcomed eight new diocesan members and eleven new organizational members. With each new member, our network of leaders and communities committed to accompanying young people grows stronger.
2025 National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC)
At the 2025 NCYC in Indianapolis, 94% of participants reported encountering Christ and feeling empowered as disciples. NCYC also marked a historic moment as Pope Leo XIV engaged in a dialogue with young people gathered at NCYC, creating an extraordinary opportunity for their voices to be heard by the Holy Father. To view the recap video, Click Here >
A comprehensive digital experience extended the encounter beyond Indianapolis, helping young people prepare for and continue reflecting on their experience with the Holy Father. To relive the Digital Encounter and view the resources, Click Here >
2026 Exchange
The 2026 Exchange welcomed 150 first-time participants to Louisville for formation, connection, and renewal, grounded in the reminder that accompaniment is at the heart of faith formation and rooted in relationship with Jesus. To learn more about Exchange, Click Here >
SUPPORTING YOU IN MINISTRY
More than 900 ministry leaders found connection and support through Ministry Networks, while our online resources received more than 29,500 visits, extending opportunities to learn, connect, and access resources that support ministry.
Diversity and Inclusion
The richness and diversity of the Church continued to shape opportunities for learning, formation, and encounter. Twelve young adult ministry leaders completed the Imago Dei initiative, while Encountering Christ launched the next installment of its video series, creating additional opportunities for ministry leaders to encounter and better understand the diversity of the Catholic Church in the United States. To learn more about Encountering Christ, Click Here >
WHAT IS COMING NEXT
The Drexel Project
The Drexel Project officially launched at the 2025 NCYC, creating new resources and funding opportunities to support new approaches to ministry with young people. To learn more about The Drexel Project, Click Here >
Storytelling Initative
In November, we secured a $5 million grant to launch a new storytelling initiative focused on changing the way the Church in the United States sees, hears, and values young people. The initiative will elevate the hope-filled stories and witness of young people choosing to remain engaged in their faith. To read the announcement, Click Here >
As we begin this new chapter together, thank you for the many ways you continue to accompany young people, support one another, and serve the Church. I am deeply grateful for each of you and look forward to all that God will continue to accomplish through us in the year ahead.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, we place our trust in You.
With gratitude,
Christina Lamas
Executive Director, NFCYM
