Church. School. Community.
Strong youth ministry doesn’t happen in isolation.
CAA brings together the three communities that are already part of a young person’s life: their parish, their school and the wider community around them.
Working together creates more opportunities for young people to encounter Christ, build friendships and discover a sense of belonging within the Church.
The parish at the heart
The parish is at the centre of the CAA model.
Every CAA youth group belongs to its local parish. The parish provides the spiritual home, local leadership and community within which youth ministry can grow.
CAA sits alongside the parish with experience, practical support, resources and accompaniment, but we never replace local leadership or take ownership of the group.
Working with our schools
Catholic schools can play an important part in helping youth ministry flourish.
Schools can help young people discover what is happening in their local parish, promote groups and activities and strengthen the connection between school, parish and home.
When a new group is developing, CAA encourages parishes and schools to build those relationships from the beginning, helping young people see that their faith doesn’t end at the school gate.
Community matters too
Young people are part of communities that extend beyond both church and school.
CAA encourages groups to create opportunities for service, outreach and involvement in parish and community life, helping young people discover that their faith can be lived out in the world around them.
It also helps the wider parish recognise young people not simply as the Church of the future, but as an important part of the Church today.
The Trinity model
CHURCH
A spiritual home where young people can belong, worship and participate in parish life.
SCHOOL
A vital connection to young people and families, helping build relationships between school and parish.
COMMUNITY
Opportunities for friendship, service, outreach and putting faith into action.
Together, Church, School and Community create the foundations on which sustainable parish youth ministry can grow.
Building the relationship together
When CAA accompanies a parish, we can help connect these different parts of the community. That may include engaging with the parish priest, identifying and supporting local leaders, building relationships with schools and helping the parish create opportunities for young people to get involved.
The aim is not simply to launch a youth group. It is to help create a community in which youth ministry can flourish for the long term.
Want to build youth ministry in your parish?
Whether you’re a priest, parishioner, teacher or school leader, we’d love to start a conversation.