To download Joan Weber's slides from her recent workshop--"Connecting Young Adults"--at the LA Congress, please click here (PDF format).

The Center for Ministry Development is committed to helping parishes, dioceses, and campuses implement the vision for ministry with young adults as articulated by the U.S. Catholic Bishops in Sons and Daughters of the Light--A Pastoral Plan for Ministry with Young Adults. The basic goals of the plan — connecting young adults with Jesus, with the Church, with the Church's mission in the world, and with a community of peers who share values and beliefs — are at the heart of CMD's work in this ministry area. CMD has been offering training and resources in ministry with young couples and singles in their 20s and 30s since 1993.

The Center led a six-year (1994-2000) project, funded in large part by the Raskob Foundation, called Ministry with Young Adults—A National Catholic Initiative. We have brought the findings from the six-year initiative, including the results of a national symposium on ministry with young adults held in 2000, to over 80 dioceses across the country. The effective practices revealed in the initiative provide the foundation for the Making the Connection program described below.

Joan Weber is the Center's Consultant for Young Adult Ministry. Joan is available to present workshops and keynotes at national and diocesan conferences on topics relevant to ministry and outreach with today's young adults.