INCREASINGLY, YOUNGER generations are flocking to the Church. That’s a fact. And in Orange County, the diocese is taking notice.
Although nationally the results for Catholics are mixed, with the Pew Research Center among others showing stable results for the Catholics as a percentage of overall population, the nation’s young adults tell a very different story.
THE YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS MINISTRY HOSTED A RECREATION RETREAT FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS IN APRIL 2026 AT FOREST HOME RETREAT CENTER. PHOTO BY IAN TRAN/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
One need only look at crowded sanctuaries to see the face of the Church is changing. The population of the Diocese of Orange has roughly quadrupled since its founding, but now in addition to racial diversity, there is a new and growing demographic.
THE DIOCESAN YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS MINISTRY HOSTED A SPEED DATING EVENT ON THE CHRIST CATHEDRAL CAMPUS IN 2024. PHOTO BY THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE
Data-driven studies have backed such observations about the changes. A study of more than 3,000 parishioners by the Catholic nonprofit Leadership Roundtable found not only are young adults a growing population, but they are also the most engaged and likely to remain or join if they feel welcomed or find ministries with which they connect. The report found they are more likely than any other age group to attend Mass daily, weekly or monthly and engage in parish activities beyond Mass. However, it is a two-sided sword, because they are also a volatile population and most at risk of leaving.
Stepping into the breach of the twin opportunities and challenges is the diocese’s Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry. Director Armando Cervantes, who also serves as director of the Hispanic Ministry, oversees Youth and Young Adults. However, it is co-coordinators Tricia Navidad and Cecilia Phan who are charged specifically with the ministry and evangelization of young adults as well as young families.
Since the two joined forces in 2024, when Navidad came aboard, they have been an unstoppable force.
“Right now, we’re targeting 18- to 29-year-olds,” Navidad said, as well as married couples between 21 and 39. “There seems to be a tremendous need for community and human skills.”
Many in the category came of age during the COVID-19 pandemic, which had profound effects on their socialization and led to isolation for many. That is changing, and “they want more than a digital world,” Navidad said. Whether it’s seeking like-minded individuals closer connections to pastoral care, group events, worship or adoration, young adults want more from their faith.
In just 2 ½ years, the diocese has hired at least 15 full-time ministers for young adults. With 28 YA parish programs (and growing) plus four college Catholic clubs at four OC universities, one community college and associations with more than a half dozen Young Adults movements and groups, the outreach is extensive and growing. Navidad said she hopes to expand similar programs into all the public community colleges in Orange County and maybe even trade and post-secondary schools.
Studies show many Catholics fall away from the faith in their late teens and early 20s.
“We don’t want to miss out on those four years,” Navidad said of post-high school.
The Young Adult Ministry has also hosted beach barbecues, speed dating, speaker series and all manner of events to draw in the 18-29 age demographic. They have even offered “date night” childcare for couples with families. This summer, in addition to an annual Young Adult mission trip to Jamaica, which has annually been offered mostly to congregants of St. Thomas More Catholic Church, a second diocese-wide mission trip was offered, led by Fr. Ian Gaston, in August. In addition to living alongside members of the Catholic Missionaries of the Poor, the young parishioners worked and worshiped with the missionaries in the slums of Kingston.
Two newer programs that excite Navidad — one for women and one for men — are the Bethany Women’s Ministry and Iron Sharpens Iron. Bethany has been a rousing success since it started about a year-and a-half ago.
“We’ve mapped it out with quarterly brunches with really good food and speakers,” Navidad said of the events which draw 150 to 250 women per event.
Iron Sharpens Iron takes its name from Proverbs: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another,” and seeks to promote brotherhood, deeper faith and to involve men in service and ministry. The program is kind of a rebuild of a previous effort that lost steam when its main organizer moved out of state. The idea, Navidad said, is to start with podcasts viewed in small groups containing either interviews with notable speakers or reflections on faith.
As an example, she pointed out speaker Chris Mueller, a nationally renowned speaker who she said, “really brings men in focusing on responsibility, purpose and faith.” Another is Bobby Angel, who focuses on lifting and inspiring the faithful during difficult times.
As the program gains momentum, she hopes to arrange quarterly dinners and barbecues and service opportunities. “We’re seeing great hunger out there,” Navidad said. “People are very curious and a lot are coming back to the faith.”
To learn more, visit rcbo.org/ministry/young-adult-ministry/