On the 46th Anniversary: Grateful for the Journey

Youth Apostles members at Diocese of Arlington WorkCamp, June 2025.

I joined Youth Apostles 44 years ago, two years after it was founded in 1979. In those days, we had about 15 members. Two were married and the rest were single men, most of whom had come from the high school Catholic Life Community at St. Anthony parish in Falls Church, VA. We were all doing high school ministry in a few parishes or encouraging the faith of our peers at college. Today, there are 135 men offering ministry in 50 parishes, schools and universities around the country. We have 90 married men, 17 Consecrated men (including 7 priests, 3 deacons and 1 seminarian) and 28 single men. In those intervening years, our charism has not changed and some of the early members are still participating; however, we have greatly expanded the locations where we serve and the number of young people we reach with the Good News of Christ. 

For me, it is heartwarming to be at the larger events where many of our men are serving together such as the diocesan WorkCamps in Arlington and Richmond, the  Seek Conference sponsored by FOCUS, or the Summit youth conference in Richmond. It is a huge blessing to look around and see our brothers living the faith, joyfully mentoring young folks and sacrificing their time and personal needs to bring young people to Christ. 

Youth Apostles and Women Youth Apostles members at Diocese of Richmond WorkCamp, June 2025.

This 46th Anniversary has also been a moment for me to ponder the hundreds of thousands of young people who have been impacted by the ministry of Youth Apostles down through the years. It drives me to lift my heart in praise of God for His unexplainable call, His abundant grace, His generous mercy and His providential care of our community.

This anniversary is also a strong invitation to beg God for new graces, renewed zeal, courageous and wise leadership, a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit and an ever growing care for young people that we may reach hundreds of thousands more young people with the love and truth of Christ. 

Rejoice with us and pray for us that we respond ever more generously and effectively to God's call to help young people live Christ-like lives.

Gratefully yours in Christ,

Fr. Jack