The role of the Office of Youth Ministries has expanded,
according to Kevin Bohli, director of the Office of Youth, Campus and Young
Adult Ministries.
Bohli said Arlington Bishop Michael F. Burbidge approached him in June and asked if
he would be willing to take on this new role.
He said the change, which began July 1, is consistent with almost
every other diocese in the country that has offices of youth and young adult
ministry.
“At the parish level, it is usually the director of youth
ministry who also has the responsibility for creating young adult ministry
programs within the parish,” said Bohli.
His office will continue to organize the large young adult Mass
with Bishop Burbidge, Theology on Tap and assist with the evangelization of
young adults.
“We will assist the parishes in building up young adult
programs,” said Bohli. “You’ll probably see a shift in focus from our own
events to helping the parishes to be doing better young adult ministry.”
In terms of campus ministry, Bohli said college campuses are already
doing fantastic work and the office may try to bring the staffs together for
training. They are considering creating a Catholic club or organization on
community college campuses, such as Northern Virginia Community College, to
provide an opportunity for their students to participate, he said.
Bohli hopes to incorporate graduate degrees in theology into
diocesan training programs.
“We are always trying to increase the level of our training and
increase the level of expertise of the people working in the field. A director
of youth ministry is a professional position and career. So we want to help
them be trained,” said Bohli.
More than 30 people are enrolled in the diocesan certificate
program. The graduate studies would be ongoing formation for those who already
have the certificate.
The office also has taken a larger role in helping youths get
their religious Scouting emblems.
“People work through our office to order those, apply for them and
go through the process of receiving their scouting emblems,” he said. “One of
our big goals is that through Scouting, young people would be growing in their
faith and in the church.”
The office has more ownership of Diocesan Northern Virginia
Junior Catholic Youth Organization sports, and is looking to help support young
adult sports, as well.
“We asked every young person between the ages of 16-29 to go
online to complete a survey for the Vatican prior to the Synod of Bishops,”
said Bohli. “The Vatican is asking youths for feedback.”
Youths will have an opportunity to speak directly to Bishop Burbidge
about their faith lives close to the date of the Synod of Bishops in October
2018.
When Bishop Burbidge was installed in December 2016, he brought
with him the episcopal motto, “Walk Humbly with Your God.”
His motto is the theme for this year’s youth office.
“It was easy to decide to use the episcopal motto,” said Bohli.
“It gives (Bishop Burbidge) an opportunity throughout this first year at all of
our events to explain why he chose that motto and introduce a little about
himself.”
The logo blends a crown of thorns with the crown of a king. The
word humbly is overlaid on a map of Arlington County to remind people of where
they are called to serve, according to Bohli.
The calendar for the year includes several events that will
provide an opportunity for youths and young adults to meet Bishop Burbidge.
Bishop Burbidge will attend the annual Rally at Bishop O’Connell
High School in Arlington Oct. 22; BASH at O’Connell April 21; and Diocesan
Kings Dominion Day in Doswell July 27.
Other events include the March for Life and Life is Very Good in
January 2018 and WorkCamp June 23-29.