Search
Young Adult Specialization
-
-
-
Young Adult SpecializationEarn a specialization in Young Adult Ministry! The Office of Young Adult & Campus Ministry is partnering with several other departments in the archdiocese to provide quality formation to those who are serving as leaders in their parish communities. To pursue this achievement, please see the list of requirements to the right.
The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston is dedicated to providing quality formation to all those involved in pastoral ministry in this archdiocese. Please see below for opportunities to continue learning about your faith and how we can share our faith with others.
Capernaum
Many of the formation opportunities are available on Capernaum. Capernaum is the Learning Management System (LMS) for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. It is the primary hub for registering for all training and formation programs offered by the Archdiocesan Chancery offices. On Capernaum you can register for on-demand, in-person, and remote (virtual) courses.Capernaum Info Click here to learn more about Capernaum including FAQs.Starting in the Fall of 2026, there will be a special Mass offered with Archbishop Vasquez to honor those who have completed Specializations or Endorsements through the archdiocese.
Capernaum LoginClick here to login into the Capernaum website to search for upcoming classes.
Recognition
To learn more about these opportunities, please contact us at 713-741-8778 or [email protected].
-
REquirementsAnyone seeking a specialization in young adult ministry must complete the following:
- Attend either Apostles in Mission or Christus Vivit (English or Spanish)
- Attending at least two courses offered through Archdiocesan Offices (see options below)
- Participating in at least one planning team for our young adult events. Those options include:
- Café Catholica
- Café Catholica Lite
- Bayou Awakening Retreat
- Charis Retreats (English or Spanish)
- Vigilia (planning team only)
- Magnify
- Pascon (elected board)
- Pasconada (HYA planning team)
If you believe you’ve completed all requirements to receive this commendation, please reach out to our office at [email protected] or 713-741-8778.
-
-
Young Adult Requirements
-
-
Apostles on Mission is a 10-week formation program in leadership and evangelization for young adults in their 20s and 30s. The program offers a chance to cultivate your personal relationship with Jesus Christ, to understand your personal gifts and strengths, and to live out these gifts in a unique way within your community.
The program is offered every year in the Fall in English or Spanish. Please click link below to learn more.
Anyone seeking a specialization in young adult ministry must complete this course or the Christus Vivit course.
-
-
-
Christus Vivit is a training program offered by the Office of Young Adult & Campus Ministry for those serving as leaders in parish-based young adult ministry. Young Adults who complete this course will gain an understanding of the basic principles of young adult ministry, practical skills needed to serve on a leadership team, and helpful tools needed to create a successful young adult ministry at his/her parish. This will be a 5-week course.
The program is offered every year starting in late January in English or Spanish. Please click link below to learn more. Information is below buttons after clicking the link.
Anyone seeking a specialization in young adult ministry must complete this course or the Apostles on Mission course.
-
-
-
Most of the large young adult events hosted by the Office of Young Adult & Campus Ministry are only possible thanks to committed young adults who serve on planning teams. The planning teams usually meet once a month for 3-6 months before the event to plan and prepare for the event. All members of the planning team are asked to help in two main ways including:
- Advisory: All young adults on the planning team are asked to provide input during meetings. This could mean praying about themes for the event or helping to think through logistical questions such as food, lodging, timing, etc. We rely on input from our young adult team members to help create positive events for all young adults of the archdiocese to attend, and we ask all our team members to share their opinions about these items openly and through Christian charity.
- Completing Tasks: Big events and retreats require a lot of prep work. All members of planning teams are asked to take on specific tasks to help the group achieve their goal. Some of the task groups include: Advertising/Marketing, Liturgical Planning, Hospitality/Environment, Registration, and more depending on the event.
We realize that our young adult planning team members are all busy people who also have full-time jobs and other commitments to family and friends. We hope that serving on one of these teams is not an overwhelming endeavor for any of the young adults. We limit meetings to just once a month, and we also encourage young adults to focus on just one specific area when assigning tasks. When the whole group works collaboratively together, we can provide excellent events, retreats, and ministry programs to all the young adults of our archdiocese.
The Office of Young Adult & Campus Ministry uses planning teams for the following young adult events:- Café Catholica (begins in January/February)
- Café Catholica Lite (per event, based on locations)
- Bayou Awakening Retreat (must first attend Awakening retreat)
- Charis Retreats (English or Spanish) (begins in February/March)
- Vigilia (planning team only) (begins in September)
- Pascon (elected board) (2-year term, next discernment in December 2025)
- Pasconada (HYA planning team)
To learn more about serving on one of these teams, please reach out to the Office of Young Adult & Campus Ministry. Put "Planning Team" in the subject line.Cafe Catholica Planning Team 2025
- Advisory: All young adults on the planning team are asked to provide input during meetings. This could mean praying about themes for the event or helping to think through logistical questions such as food, lodging, timing, etc. We rely on input from our young adult team members to help create positive events for all young adults of the archdiocese to attend, and we ask all our team members to share their opinions about these items openly and through Christian charity.
-
-
-
Archdiocesan Opportunitiesattend at least two courses from the below options to be eligible for a young adult specialization.
-
-
The Office of Evangelization and Catechesis (OEC) assists catechetical leaders in parishes and schools in furthering the evangelizing catechetical mission of a family-oriented, multi-cultural church of adults, adolescents, and children. We provide services to promote lifelong formation so that each person's faith becomes living, conscious and active. Register for classes at https://capernaum.leadlms.com. Call: 713-741-8791 or Email: [email protected] to learn more.
Course Offerings:- Christian Essentials (15 hours)
- Introduction to Scripture (10 hours) – FTCM/FPMC
- Old Testament (10 hours) – FTCM/FPMC
- New Testament (10 hours) – FTCM/FPMC
- Catholic Beliefs (10 hours) – FTCM/FPMC
- Morality (10 hours) – FTCM/FPMC
- Sacraments (10 hours) – FTCM/FPMC
- Christology (10 hours) – FTCM/FPMC
- Church History 1 (10 hours) – FTCM/FPMC
- Church History 2 (10 hours) – FTCM/FPMC
*Offices with a star also offer opportunities to pursue an endorsement. Contact these offices to learn more.
-
-
-
The Office of Adolescent Catechesis and Evangelization (OACE) serves the Catholic youth ministry in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston! Our mission is simple yet powerful: to form adolescents into lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ. Register for classes at https://capernaum.leadlms.com or Email: [email protected] to learn more.
Course Offerings:- EXPLORE-Foundations for Youth Ministry Leadership (12 hours)
- Human Sexuality Catechesis (3 hours)
- Disciple Formation (4 hours)
- Witness Formation (4 hours)
- The Joy of Adolescent Catechesis (1.5 hours)
*Offices with a star also offer opportunities to pursue an endorsement. Contact these offices to learn more.
-
-
-
The Office of Worship seeks to make sacred liturgy the source of spiritual growth, the development of the Church, and the encounter with Christ for all the faithful of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. The Office of Worship serves as a resource center for ministry formation, liturgical ministry materials, well-celebrated archdiocesan liturgies, and parish consultation within the context of the liturgical rites and our entire life of faith. Call: 713-741-8735 or Email: [email protected] to learn more.
Course Offerings (Level One for new Ministers or Level Two for Leaders):
- EMHC (8 hours)
- Lector (8 hours)
- Sacristan (8 hours)
- Hospitality [Ushers/Greeters] (8 hours)
- Art and Environment (8 hours)
- Sick & Homebound (8 hours)
- Altar Server Coordinators (8 hours)
- Acolyte (8 hours)
*Offices with a star also offer opportunities to pursue an endorsement. Contact these offices to learn more.
-
-
-
The Archdiocesan Office of Pro-Life Activities is dedicated to promoting a Culture of Life at all stages and circumstances. Register for classes at https://capernaum.leadlms.com or Email: [email protected] to learn more.
Course Offerings:- Catholic Bioethics: Beginning of Life Issues
- Catholic Bioethics: End of Life Issues
- Catholic Bioethics: Health Care Ethics & Experimentation
-
-
-
Our initiatives and programs help engaged and married couples respond to God’s call to a joyful life of love for the good of their families, the Church, and our society at large. Call: 713-741-8710 or Email: [email protected] to learn more.
Course Offerings:
- NFP (Natural Family Planning)
- Ministry of Consolation
- Ministry for Divorced or Single Parents
- Theology of the Body for Families
- Faith and Finances (Spanish-only)
- Couple Communication (coming soon)
-
-
-
