I don’t take it for granted that through the generosity of many others I have had the privilege to experience mentorship through FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) at the University of Texas (UT), faith formation and friendships through the Schoenstatt Movement of Austin’s university branches and daily access to the sacraments at the University Catholic Center. The Diocese of Austin continues to invest time, resources, and great care for our youth and young adults, and I am eager to join in carrying out this mission.

Over the last five years, I have served in campus ministry at UT and witnessed a new generation transition into young professional and parish life. Because the Diocese of Austin is home to some of the largest universities in the state of Texas and the country, there are a lot of young adults between the ages of 18 and 40 in our midst. Also, as young adults make their way to Central Texas for its innovation, medicine and culture, it presents us with a growing mission field that we cannot passively approach.

As Christians, each of us has a call to reach out to the world and introduce others to the person of Christ. (Mt 28: 19-20) This challenging truth must move us to both action and prayer. My hope for our young adults of Central Texas is to experience a conviction for a life of holiness and wholeness centered in community and the sacraments.

This mission field is not isolated to recent university graduates. It includes those entering the workforce right out of high school, in trade schools and in rural towns throughout the diocese. The Office of Young Adult and Pastoral Juvenil Hispana aims to reach, equip, and launch our young adults into workplaces, homes and parishes with a deeper understanding of what it means to be a disciple of Christ. We will provide experiences for our young adults to learn the art of listening to God’s voice through retreats and events, to understand and value their individual gifts through leadership formation and to be formed so that they can serve their families and their parishes.

Our young adult leadership includes our Central Texas Catholic Regional Representatives and Consejo de la Pastoral Juvenil Hispana. They serve as collaborators in reaching, forming, and sending our young adult ministry leaders into the parishes. They connect with young adults seeking community and serve as a bridge to existing communities. Although Central Texas Catholic and Pastoral Juvenil Hispana currently operate independently from one another, our hope is that we can offer opportunities for collaboration and unity throughout the year. This will include leadership development, bilingual conferences, and mission trips.

Our goal is for our young adults in Central Texas to grow deeper in generosity as they form and strengthen their relationship with the Lord. This is visible in their time, talent and treasure. Generosity of time includes a commitment to prayer and the sacraments, generosity of talent in answering the Christian responsibility of evangelization and reaching those in the margins of society, and generosity of treasure in giving back to God from what he gives us.

I look forward to working alongside our already thriving communities and young adult leaders in the great work they have begun. I have full confidence that the Lord is paving the way for creativity and mission here in central Texas.

To learn more about young adult ministry in the Diocese of Austin, visit centraltexascatholic.org or pjhaustin.org.