Who is a Youth Minister?

The Youth Minister is an adult volunteer who, under the direction of the Parish Pastor and Supervision of the Parish Coordinator of Youth Ministry, commits to the parish youth ministry leadership team, assisting in the implementation of specific programs for early, middle or late adolescents as designed by the pastor. 

Get Approved

Step 1: Be in complience with the Protection of Children and Youth Policies of the Archdiocese of Chicago.Criminal Background Check, Attend Virtus Training,Read and sign the Code of Conduct  Step 2: Get refferals from past parish pastors or jobs Step 3:Make copies of all documents mentioned in this step for yourself and for the parish files. Step 4: Have an official letter of approval from your pastor. Step 5:Open a file with the Office for Catechesis and Youth Ministry.  Contact your Vicariate Coordinator, click here

Get Connected

Step 1:Contact your Vicariate Coordinator of Youth Ministry.  Click Here Step 2:Find out when your next Vicariate youth ministers meeting takes place.  Click Here

Get Certified as Youth Minister

Step 1: Must first become certified as Catechist by taking the basic theological courses. You can do this by taking courses in an institution approved by OFCYM or by taking the courses given through OFCYM.  Click here to learn more about the Certification Process for Youth Ministers  Step 2: After completing your basic theological courses, you  could then get certified as Youth Minister, by taking basic youth ministry courses that are given through OFCYM or approved institutions. Click Here to find out dates and times for our next Ministerial Courses for Youth Ministers.  Step 3: If you have questions about courses that you need, courses you have taken, approved institutions, or about the process itself, please contact Nelly Lorenzo at nlorenzo@archchicago.org

Get Experience

Step 1: If you have a chance, get some experience by volunteering at your neighboring parishes that have youth ministry Step 2: When you are ready, Go for it!