Forward in Hope: A Young Adult Symposium
YOUNG ADULT SYMPOSIUM
Friday, April 4, 2025 – Saturday, April 5, 2025
The Symposium is presented by the National Institute for Ministry with Young Adults (NIMYA) and hosted by the Catholic dioceses of Southern California and Hawaii, and it will take place from April 4-5th at the Christ Cathedral campus in Orange, California.
The National Institute has brought together the latest research, best practices, and national experts, with innovative facilitation, grounded in the Catholic faith, to lead you through a powerful two-day learning experience. If you have been sent this exclusive link, we invite you to join us for a program filled with engaging conversation, innovative ideas, networking, and meaningful in-person-learning that will leave you and your communities better equipped to minister with all of the young adults that the Lord is calling you to serve.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, APRIL 4
LOCATION – Diocese of Orange Cultural Center, 3rd Floor
12:30PM – Check in at the Diocese of Orange Cultural Center
1:00PM – Opening Prayer. Welcome and introduction to the Regional Symposium
1:30PM – The Current Young Adult Landscape
2:30PM – Christus Vivit and LTS: The Vision of Ministry with Young Adults
3:30PM – Cohort Conversation (based on role in parish)
4:00PM – Moments of Engagement: Holidays, OCIA, Marriage Prep, Baptismal Prep, Liturgical
Seasons
5:00PM – Team Conversation (Geographical/Parish)
6:00PM – Dinner
7:00PM – Practical Skills: Building a Co-Responsible Staff
8:00PM – Team Conversation (Geographical/Parish)
8:30PM – Closing Prayer
9:00PM – Departure
SATURDAY, APRIL 5
LOCATION – Diocese of Orange Cultural Center, 3rd Floor
9:00AM – Hospitality and Check-InOpening Prayer
9:30AM – Innovation in Ministry
10:30AM – Cohort Conversation (based on role in parish)
11:30AM – Ministry Leadership within (and beyond) Church Systems and Structures
12:30PM – Cohort Lunch (Table Group Discussion)
1:30PM – Advocacy for Young Adults: Finding a Space in the Life of the Parish
2:30PM – Practical Skills: Forming (Small) Faith Communities
3:30PM – Team Conversation (Geographical/Parish)
4:30PM – Practical Skills: Collaboration, not Competition
5:30PM – Dinner
6:30PM – Closing Discussion/Processing/Evaluations/Sharing (based on role)
7:30PM – Closing Mass and Commissioning (St. Calistus Chapel)
8:40PM – Thank You and Social Time
REGISTRATION
FULL TWO-DAY REGISTRATION
$250 PER PERSON – Includes full access to two days of keynotes, facilitated conversations, training workshops, prayer services and Masses, networking opportunities, and four included meals (Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, lunch and dinner). The full schedule will be provided to you by your Diocesan Coordinator. You will also receive access to the online course “Young Adult Ministry 101,” presented by the Catholic Apostolate Center and Catholic Faith Technologies.
FRIDAY-ONLY REGISTRATION
$100 PER PERSON – Includes full access to Friday’s keynote, training workshops, prayer services and Masses, networking opportunities, and two meals (lunch and dinner).
SATURDAY-ONLY REGISTRATION
$150 PER PERSON – Includes full access to Saturday’s keynotes, training workshops, prayer services and Masses, networking opportunities, and three meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner).
WORKSHOPS-ONLY REGISTRATION
$100 PER PERSON – Registration includes the opportunity to participate in practical ministry workshops, one each on Friday evening, and Saturday evening. At least one workshop per session will be virtual, should you prefer that option. You will also receive access to the online course “Young Adult Ministry 101,” presented by the Catholic Apostolate Center and Catholic Faith Technologies.
TRANSPORTATION
What is the closest airport to Christ Cathedral Campus?
The closest airports to the Christ Cathedral Campus are:
- * John Wayne (SNA) Airport: approximately 11 miles away
- * Long Beach (LGB) Airport: approximately 19 miles away
- * Los Angeles (LAX) Airport: approximately 38 miles away
Taxi, Uber, or another rideshare provider will be the best way to travel from the airport to the conference hotel.
Is transportation to and from the Symposium included in the registration fee?
No. Transportation to and from the Symposium is not included in the registration fee.
Since the hotel and the meeting site are different, how do I travel between the two each day? Is parking free at the Christ Cathedral complex?
The distance between the hotel and the Symposium site is 0.5 miles. Arranging carpools with other participants who have cars with them is also recommended. Parking is free at Christ Cathedral. We will be meeting at the Cultural Center on the 3rd floor, so the best location to park is P8 which can been seen by visiting the campus map.
FAQ
Where and when will the Symposium take place?
The Symposium will take place at the Christ Cathedral campus in Orange, California, from the afternoon of Friday, April 4 to Saturday April 5, 2025.
The address for the Christ Cathedral campus is: 13280 Chapman Ave, Garden Grove, CA 92840
Who is sponsoring the Symposium?
The Symposium is presented by the National Institute for Ministry with Young Adults. The April 2025 experience of the regional series is hosted by the Catholic dioceses of Southern California and Hawaii.
Who is the Symposium for?
The Symposium is aimed at three key audiences within the Catholic dioceses of Southern California and Hawaii (Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Fresno, Monterey, San Bernardino, and Honolulu):
- 1- Catholic leaders in key roles in their communities, such as pastors, deacons, religious women and men, business managers, pastoral associates, pastoral or financial councils, pilanthropists, etc., and
- 2- Any Catholic who directly accompanies young adults in a ministry context, including college campus and young adult ministry coordinators and young adult peer ministers, and
- 3- Any individual seeking to learn more about the best practices in working with and for young adults in the Catholic Church. This can include seminarians, religious women and men in formation, lay graduate students, parents, and others with a passion for this vital population.
If you are located within the Catholic dioceses of Southern California and Hawaii (Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Fresno, Monterey, San Bernardino, and Honolulu), neighboring staes such as Arizona and Nevada, and any of the above describes you or someone you know, please be in touch with the most proximate diocesan coordinator for the Symposium (see next question).
Can anyone attend?
This is an invitation-only event. If you would like to see if you are eligible to attend, please contact your diocesan coordinator for the Symposium.
What if I am not affiliated with any of those dioceses?
See “Who is the Symposium for?” for a description of the target audience for the April 2025 Symposium in Orange, California. Aspects of the program will focus specifically on the dioceses of Southern California and Hawaii (Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Fresno, Monterey, San Bernardino, and Honolulu), which are hosting this event.
We do, however, understand that this location (Orange, California) or the timing (April 4-5, 2025) may be convenient for those from elsewhere around the United States with a passion for expertise/experience in ministry with young adults. Therefore, if you would like to be considered for an invitation and you are not affiliated with any of the dioceses listed above, please email [email protected]. These requests will be handled on a case-by-case basis, and cannot be guaranteed. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
If you would like to explore the possibility of bringing the Symposium series to your region in the future, please contact us at [email protected].
How do I register?
You can register for the Symposium here.
What is your refund policy?
All registrations are non-refundable. To cancel your registration, please contact [email protected].
Please note: Hotel and travel reservations must be canceled separately.
What is your event transfer policy?
Registration will only apply to the Symposium in Orange, California.
It cannot be transferred to future “On the Road” Series events.
Can registration be transferred to another person?
Yes. Registration can be transferred to another person at no cost.
Email [email protected] to request a transfer.
Are financial scholarships available?
Financial scholarships are not available at this time. Please contact your local diocesan contact to see if there are scholarship opportunities available.
QUESTIONS?
TRICIA TEMBREULL
Coordinator of Young Adult Ministry and Evangelization
714-321-8132
[email protected]
Cecilia Phan
Coordinator of Young Adult Ministry and Evangelization
714-282-6043
[email protected]