You had to be in tenth grade to do youth ministry. That was the rule at my parish growing up. Until I received Confirmation or reached tenth grade, I wasn’t allowed to jump into the weekly meetings or retreats. Whether I agree with that rule today doesn’t matter—back then, I couldn’t wait to join. The anticipation alone told me something important: I had a clear “next step.” I knew where I was going.
Today, a lot of young people don’t feel that. And honestly? A lot of parishes don’t know what the next step is either.
We give young people pockets of opportunity—serving at Mass, joining a small group, volunteering at a parish event—but once Confirmation hits or they graduate high school, the runway disappears. There’s no obvious “next.” And when there’s no next, young people drift.
If we want to keep the next generation close, we need to help them see that faith doesn’t end with a sacrament or a school year. And the most powerful way to do that isn’t another program.
It’s people.
Intergenerational relationships are the backbone of a parish that forms disciples for the long haul. When a teenager knows five adults in the parish who know their name, care about them, and walk with them, parish life stops feeling like something they attend. It starts feeling like family.
And the beauty is—it’s not just teens who benefit.
Older parishioners grow in humility, generosity, and servant leadership when they invest in young people. Faith becomes embodied again. Discipleship becomes shared.
So how do you build this? Start simple:
1. Recruit adults beyond parents.
Your best mentors aren’t always the parents of current teens. Look for adults who listen well, show up consistently, and love the Church. That’s it. They don’t need theology degrees—they need compassion and presence.
2. Pair teens with adults who are already serving.
Look at the ministries already thriving at your parish: liturgy, hospitality, outreach, grounds crew, food pantry. Invite those adults to take one teen under their wing for a season. They don’t need a curriculum—just an invitation to guide and include.
3. Make one ask this week.
Intergenerational ministry grows through personal, intentional invitations. Approach one adult you trust and say, “Would you walk with a young person this semester? I think you’d be great at it.” That one invitation can change lives.
When generations connect, young people discover that faith is not something you graduate from—it’s something you grow into. And older adults rediscover the joy and responsibility of passing on what they’ve received.
If your parish feels stuck or unsure how to keep the next generation around, start with this question:
Who in our community can help show young people what comes next?
Because once they see it, they’ll want to stay.