We’re committed to advancing the field of pastoral ministry to young people.
NFCYM recognizes its work, grounded in Jesus Christ and in communion with the Catholic Church, must be in solidarity with the struggles and joys of the peripheral communities of society across the United States. We believe in using language to better address those efforts, reflecting our Catholic identity and values, Scripture and Tradition, and the pastoral response to the varying needs of many different communities. NFCYM describes this as a faithful journey towards Accessibility, Belonging, Inclusion, Diversity, and Empathy, which can be shortened to the acronym ABIDE.
In fall of 2023, NFCYM was awarded a grant to expand its commitment to Diversity and Inclusion. This grant funds three initiatives the Diversity and Inclusion Training, the Encountering Christ video series, and the Imago Dei Leadership Initiative. All three initiatives have run successful pilots. As we move into the next phase, we seek to develop new project teams.
The National Dialogue is a national collaborative effort between the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM), the USCCB National Advisory Team on Young Adult Ministry, the National Catholic Network de Pastoral Juvenil Hispana (LaRed), and the Catholic Campus Ministry Association (CCMA) to engage the church in a National Dialogue on Catholic Pastoral Ministry with Youth and Young Adults with the intent to renew our ministry efforts with these members of our faith community.
We live at a time when the encounter of languages, races, generations and cultures is more intense than ever. Mass media, especially the Internet, travel, immigration, and an increasingly globalized economy are bringing people together more and more. The experience of diversity is, therefore, more characteristic of our times and brings with it serious challenges and great opportunities. The diversity and inclusion team hopes that the following resources are able to provide insight into different cultural families.
For more information on NFCYM’s Diversity and Inclusion efforts, contact Darius Villalobos at [email protected] or at 202-301-5166.
A (*) next to a resource is to note that the resource comes from an NFCYM member
Disclaimer: External links are provided for your convenience. NFCYM is not responsible for their content or affiliated organizations, and inclusion does not imply endorsement. They are offered as potentially helpful resources.
Check out our new video series on “Encountering Christ: A Series of Conversations from the Black and African American Catholic Community“
Fat Luther, Slim Pickin’s: A Black Catholic Celebration of Faith, Tradition, and Diversity,* Marcia Lane-McGee, Shannon Wimp Schmidt, 2022, $
Leveling the Praying Field: Can the Church We Love, Love Us Back?*, Dr. Ansel Augustine, $
Awakening to the Violence of Systemic Racism, Vince Gallagher and Sherine Green, 2021, e-book available $
In this spirit of hope, we invite you to join us in commemorating the significant milestone of 43 years of our organization’s history and service. Whether it’s $4, $43, or even $300, every gift makes a difference!
Join the celebration and help continue inspiring the next generation of Catholic leaders.
Pastoral Juvenil Hispana Coordinator,
Diocese of Austin
Diocesan Member
"NFCYM has accompanied me in reaching out to like minded professionals to better provide service (ministry) to adolescents. NFCYM has allowed me to network and grow professionally.
'Youth as Protagonists' has been essential to Pastoral Juvenil Hispana in the Diocese of Austin."
Youth Minister, St. Christopher Church
Associate Member
"The various resources have helped me keep our program exciting and vibrant. NFCYM has provided me with shared information via webinars, workshops, conferences, outreach, and opportunities that are very informative to help make my ministry successful.
NFCYM is an open forum for me to seek material, guidance and support in keeping the youth ministry program successful."
