We are listening.
Young Adults are invited to openly engage with the Catholic Church and have an important voice in the direction of our diocese.
During our diocesan synod general assembly and pastoral planning process, we heard a strong desire to better include and support young adults in parish life. Recent studies have shown a steady decline in young adult participation in church activities, with six out of ten teens involved in church activities in high school not continuing to actively practice their faith into early adulthood.
We want to understand this shift by listening to young adults directly. The body of Christ needs the energy, creativity, and talents that Young Adults bring. Already, you are seen as leaders in business, innovation, sports, entertainment, and culture. We want to encourage you to dream also of leading the Church into a bright future.
When and Who
On Saturday, September 21, 2024 at Archbishop Mitty High School, over 350 delegates from our parishes, schools, Catholic movements, and organizations will gather to represent the diversity of young adult (18-35) experiences in the Diocese of San José.
They will share their perspectives and experiences with the Catholic Church and provide feedback and direction for the Bishop and the pastoral plan implementation team to consider as the diocese develops a young adult ministerial plan as part of a pastoral plan for the spiritual renewal of our diocese.
Assembly Delegates must be between the ages of 18 to 35.
- Each Parish and University Campus Ministry is allotted five (5) delegates.
- Each Catholic Elementary and High School is allotted one (1) Educator delegate & one (1) Parent delegate.
- If not applicable to secondary high schools, they are allotted two (2) Educator delegates.
- Each approved Catholic Movement and Organization is allotted two (2) delegates.
- All priests 35 years old or younger will be invited to be delegates.
- If a parish, school, or movement doesn’t submit the names for all of their allotted slots, those slots will be open at the end of June on this webpage for any young adult in the diocese to sign up to attend.
Click here to view the Youth Assembly Delegate Nomination Guidance.
Calling on Young Adults to Provide Feedback via Online Survey
Survey to open July 1, 2024
Are you between the ages of 18 and 35, married or single, with or without children?
The Diocese of San José cares about you and wants to hear about your experiences, hopes, and needs through our new, confidential, online survey for young adults!
Your voice matters and can significantly impact how the Church responds to the needs of young adults. We encourage everyone to share this survey with any Catholics—active or inactive—between 18 and 35 in Santa Clara County. We want to walk with you on your journey, and your input is invaluable. Please take and share the survey with others!
Why a young adult survey?
During our diocesan synod general assembly and pastoral planning process, we heard a strong desire to better include and support young adults in parish life. Recent studies have shown a steady decline in young adult participation in church activities, with six out of ten teens involved in church activities in high school not continuing to actively practice their faith into early adulthood.
We want to understand this shift by listening to young adults directly. The Church community needs your energy, creativity, and talents that Young Adults bring. Already, you are seen as leaders in business, innovation, sports, entertainment, and culture. We want to encourage you to dream also of leading the Church into a bright future.
What will the survey ask about?
This survey invites anonymous and free sharing of personal beliefs, interests, needs, faith- or Church-related experiences, frustrations, digital media usage, and most importantly, hopes for the future of the Church in San Jose.
How will the information be used?
In September 2024, there will be a Young Adult Assembly of over 350, who will review, discuss, and discern your responses to come to a consensus on the priorities for young adult ministry in our diocese. The Young Adult Advisory Committee and Pastoral Planning Team will use your responses and the feedback from the Assembly to develop a comprehensive young adult ministry plan to ensure the Church meets your needs and walks alongside you. The results will be reviewed, summarized, and shared at a later date.
Who should take the survey?
The online survey is open to all young adults aged 18-35 who live, work, or attend school in Santa Clara County. The U.S. bishops define young adults as individuals in their late teens, twenties, and early thirties, representing diverse cultural, racial, ethnic, educational, vocational, social, political, and spiritual backgrounds. They include college students, workers, professionals, military personnel, singles, married individuals, divorced or widowed persons, and those with or without children. The survey is designed to ensure everyone’s voice is heard.
