Convocation to focus on ways to reach, engage emerging generations in life of Church
September 2, 2025 at 9:50 a.m.
Millennials. Gen Z. Gen Alpha.
“You’ve heard these words thrown around but what do they really mean? Who are they? What do they care about? How can we best engage them in parish life? Most of all, how can we help them to encounter Christ and grow in their faith?”
Such questions will be explored by the keynote speaker during the 2025 Convocation of Parish Pastoral Councils Sept. 28 in St. Catharine Parish, 108 Middletown Rd., Holmdel.
Hosted by the diocesan Department of Pastoral Planning, Office of Pastoral Life & Mission, the convocation runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will include two online presentations on the topic “Engaging Emerging Generations” and Mass celebrated at 11 a.m. by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.
Presenter John Poitevent said in a convocation promo video that he will share best practices on how parishes around the country “are doing this well and I’m also going to share some good news that we see around the world regarding emerging generations.”
“It’s going to be an encouraging, enlightening and fruitful day for the future of your parish,” he said.
Poitevent is founder of Great Catholic Parishes. He has worked with more than 100 parishes across the country and identified key practices of parishes where multigenerational ministry is thriving. He will interact with participants virtually through a video link and members of the diocesan staff will assist with facilitating questions and discussions throughout the day.
Poitevent’s experience includes 30 years serving in a variety of ministry roles including small group director, missions and outreach, hospitality coordinator and pastoral counselor. He is a cum laude, outstanding graduate of the MacArthur School of Leadership at Palm Beach Atlantic University.
Reflecting on the convocation’s goal, Terry Ginther, diocesan chancellor and executive director of the Office of Pastoral Life and Mission, said that it’s been her experience that during parish visits and discussions with pastors that “nearly all are focused on ways to more successfully engage with younger Catholics.”
“The ways parishes are addressing this intention looks different in different parishes,” she said. She noted that some parishes work to involve families, particularly during their early years and throughout their schools years, while others have particular initiatives among young adults (post college).
By addressing the topic with parish leaders during the convocation, Ginther hopes “that they can work together to look at how the whole parish, and the way it operates, either encourages or discourages participation by young Catholics.”
Referencing statistics reported in the 2024 Parish Profile, Ginther said about two-thirds of the Diocese’s 97 parishes have a pastoral council with “another 10 or so having some kind of leadership committee called by another name.”
While the convocation is geared toward providing formation for parish pastoral council members, others who are encouraged to attend include clergy, parish staff and other parish leaders. Dan Waddington, director of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, has also invited youth and young adult ministry leaders to participate as well.
“The idea is to have a wholistic conversation about involving young Catholics in parish life across the board, not just in ministries focused on youth and young adults,” Ginther said. “We welcome parish staff and leaders from all parishes to participate in the convocation, regardless of whether the parish has a formally installed pastoral council or not.”
Cost to attend is $25 per person or $100 for five registrants from the same parish. Lunch is included. To register, visit dioceseoftrenton.org/ppc-convocation. Registration deadline is Sept. 17.
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Millennials. Gen Z. Gen Alpha.
“You’ve heard these words thrown around but what do they really mean? Who are they? What do they care about? How can we best engage them in parish life? Most of all, how can we help them to encounter Christ and grow in their faith?”
Such questions will be explored by the keynote speaker during the 2025 Convocation of Parish Pastoral Councils Sept. 28 in St. Catharine Parish, 108 Middletown Rd., Holmdel.
Hosted by the diocesan Department of Pastoral Planning, Office of Pastoral Life & Mission, the convocation runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will include two online presentations on the topic “Engaging Emerging Generations” and Mass celebrated at 11 a.m. by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.
Presenter John Poitevent said in a convocation promo video that he will share best practices on how parishes around the country “are doing this well and I’m also going to share some good news that we see around the world regarding emerging generations.”
“It’s going to be an encouraging, enlightening and fruitful day for the future of your parish,” he said.
Poitevent is founder of Great Catholic Parishes. He has worked with more than 100 parishes across the country and identified key practices of parishes where multigenerational ministry is thriving. He will interact with participants virtually through a video link and members of the diocesan staff will assist with facilitating questions and discussions throughout the day.
Poitevent’s experience includes 30 years serving in a variety of ministry roles including small group director, missions and outreach, hospitality coordinator and pastoral counselor. He is a cum laude, outstanding graduate of the MacArthur School of Leadership at Palm Beach Atlantic University.
Reflecting on the convocation’s goal, Terry Ginther, diocesan chancellor and executive director of the Office of Pastoral Life and Mission, said that it’s been her experience that during parish visits and discussions with pastors that “nearly all are focused on ways to more successfully engage with younger Catholics.”
“The ways parishes are addressing this intention looks different in different parishes,” she said. She noted that some parishes work to involve families, particularly during their early years and throughout their schools years, while others have particular initiatives among young adults (post college).
By addressing the topic with parish leaders during the convocation, Ginther hopes “that they can work together to look at how the whole parish, and the way it operates, either encourages or discourages participation by young Catholics.”
Referencing statistics reported in the 2024 Parish Profile, Ginther said about two-thirds of the Diocese’s 97 parishes have a pastoral council with “another 10 or so having some kind of leadership committee called by another name.”
While the convocation is geared toward providing formation for parish pastoral council members, others who are encouraged to attend include clergy, parish staff and other parish leaders. Dan Waddington, director of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, has also invited youth and young adult ministry leaders to participate as well.
“The idea is to have a wholistic conversation about involving young Catholics in parish life across the board, not just in ministries focused on youth and young adults,” Ginther said. “We welcome parish staff and leaders from all parishes to participate in the convocation, regardless of whether the parish has a formally installed pastoral council or not.”
Cost to attend is $25 per person or $100 for five registrants from the same parish. Lunch is included. To register, visit dioceseoftrenton.org/ppc-convocation. Registration deadline is Sept. 17.