Surrounded by over 1,000 high school students at the Diocesan Youth Conference (DYC) in Houston, Texas, I was reminded of the power of a Catholic community. The energy at the event was palpable. With 40 parishes represented, it was an honor to support the Diocese of Beaumont, our long-time diocesan partner. Seeing 40 ministry leaders say "yes" to leading these students to go deeper into their Catholic faith created a space where joy, excitement, and Christ could truly be found. No student was there alone; they had a community of ministers, parents, priests, and friends all walking with them.
I attended the conference to help graduating seniors find connection through Faith Forward, inviting parents, youth ministry leaders, priests, and friends to join this movement. I arrived with the intention of sharing a workshop. Still, I quickly realized we were witnessing something much deeper—a hunger for connection that extends far beyond a single conference weekend.
Strong Communities and Powerful Leaders
This is exactly why the work of Newman Connection is so vital. I had the privilege of meeting Kayley Ramsey, a recent college graduate from Texas A&M University who found her college campus ministry through Newman Connection.
“ Newman Connection has made a great impact on my faith journey. When I was going through convention my last year, it helped me to get plugged into the college campus,” says Kayley.
She shared how getting involved with campus ministry changed her life and helped her navigate the complexities of college. Now, she is giving back to her parish by volunteering as a chaperone for events like DYC, helping other students have that same encounter with Christ.
“ I'm excited about Faith Forward because I actually do have a little sister who just graduated from high school, and she is entering into the college world, moving to a different city, and she's looking for that community,” says Kayley. “I think that it is just super important to help those students get into the community, find that group of people that are strong in their faith and right there willing to help them and root them on.”
This support is what the Catholic Church needs.
I also saw this impact clearly with the Lamar Catholic Campus Ministry, which demonstrated how campus ministry empowers students to find friends and Christ during their college years. They led activities, took on important roles in Mass, and shared their experiences in the senior breakout session. Members of the Lamar Catholic Campus Ministry shared how their community helped them find friends, grow deeper in their faith, and bring joy to their lives.
“ The Lamar Catholic Student Center has allowed me to grow my faith and create new friendships, and has also given me a lot of formation opportunities.” - Nora
”It's shown me a lot of networking opportunities and meeting different people around the diocese, and also leadership opportunities being a president, a person in charge of men's ministry, and leading a Bible study.” - Victor
This group is proof that Catholic communities, like College Campus Ministries, are fostering an entire generation of empowered young people who are confidently carrying their faith into every new chapter of their lives.
Leading the Movement.
Having a Catholic community around you helps you answer that call every day.
Helping young Catholics keep their faith can be challenging, but it is necessary. It requires building relationships and empowering connections through personal invitation—this is what Faith Forward is all about. I had the opportunity to speak with Bishop David Toups, a longtime supporter of Newman Connection's mission. His excitement and desire to do everything possible to invite the recent graduates to connect were a powerful reminder of the leaders within the church who are ready to rally behind these students. You can be the next leader who inspires a student to stay connected.
I invite you to join the Faith Forward movement today and help us empower the next generation to find a community where they can thrive, no matter where they are headed.
