Dear UCYM Community,
I hope the feast of Pentecost was a transformative moment for you and a reminder of the mission we are constantly called to by Christ. Renew My Church was a process that called us all in Evanston to look at our mission and answer the missionary call in our communities. Five years ago, the four (legacy) Evanston parishes of St. Athanasius, St. Joan of Arc, St. Mary, and St. Nicholas came together and set out on a mission for a shared youth and young adult ministry in our region, which became United Catholic Youth Ministries. We set out knowing that this was the direction that our parishes would need to go: sharing resources, personnel to support the formation and mentorship of our youth and young adults, and getting ahead of the curve under one banner. There is honestly so much to be proud of in these last five years and I am personally so grateful for the opportunity to have served our four, now two, parish communities through this ministry. As we also have seen in Renew My Church, change is a constant and I asked our pastors if I could please deliver the news to the parish communities of some important updates. In March of 2023, the pastors of the unified Evanston parishes (Rev. Jean Philippe Lokpo, MCCJ of St. John XXIII Parish and Rev. Kenneth Anderson of St. John Newman Parish), Rev. José Ortiz (Associate Pastor of St. John XXIII Parish), Brian Romer Niemiec (Coordinator of Lifelong Faith Formation for Vicariate II), Dr. Molly Cinnamon (Principal of Pope John XXIII School), and I came together to discuss the future of UCYM as the parishes financial and pastoral needs started to settle. Fr. Anderson shared that it was no longer pastorally or financially prudent for St. John Newman Parish to continue having UCYM serve as its youth and young adult ministry and that they would be seeking alternative avenues for having ministry for youth and young adults. St. John Newman Parish will not be renewing the UCYM agreement and will be discontinuing its pastoral and financial support effective July 1, 2023. I pray for a successful next chapter for St. John Newman youth and young adult ministry. Following this announcement, we were asked to downsize our staff and significantly reduce operational costs for the coming fiscal year as St. John XXIII Parish would be the sole parish supporting us. I want to thank our admin leaders for coming together and discerning for many hours how our staff would be restructured in response to the financial hardships of St. John XXIII Parish. I also want to thank our staff, especially those who lost their job and remain committed volunteers. Like any ministry, we would not be able to support our young people without the commitment of volunteers. I would like to share with you who our employees are:
I also want to thank our board of advisors, under the leadership of co-chairs Claire Labbe and Gabriela Zarate, for being committed to helping us discern how UCYM can maintain its strong ministry in our community. I believe that, through the intervention of the Holy Spirit, our UCYM community will persevere through this time of change. I have been humbled by the commitment our leaders have shown and I remain committed to them and UCYM. Please be assured of my prayers for the parish communities as they continue into the next phase of building the new reality and answering the call to missionary discipleship. UCYM stands ready to continue to serve our youth and young adults. In Christ’s peace, Oblate James Holzhauer-Chuckas, ObSB Executive Director Dear UCYM Community,
There is a lot to celebrate and observe in the month of June. In the Church, we celebrate the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Immigrant Heritage Month, and PRIDE. We also observe Juneteenth and intentionally recall the work needed for racial healing and justice in our country. June is one of the months in the Church where we are strongly called to mission. UCYM is a welcoming, inclusive, and affirming community. We model the ministry of Jesus Christ that goes to the margins and helps bring people closer to Christ and His Church. We celebrate PRIDE by praying for more open and welcoming spaces in our Church for our siblings in the LGBTQ+ community. We pray for more open minds and hearts that are ready for accompaniment and to show compassion and empathy. We pray for an end to prejudice, hatred, and exclusion. During this PRIDE month, UCYM reaffirms its commitment to being a safe space where everyone is welcome, seen, affirmed, and can belong. Our Church needs young people and young people need faith in their lives and the Church is a space to learn and grow in faith. Let us pray for the ability to find more common ground and realize that is in the mission of Jesus Christ. Peace, Oblate James Holzhauer-Chuckas, ObSB Executive Director Alex Roman Pastoral Assistant Dear UCYM Community, We have fielded a couple of inquiries from community members this afternoon following the release of the report from the Attorney General office's investigation of allegations of child sexual abuse against clergy in the six Illinois Catholic diocese over a period of nearly 90 years. The report (named the Report) addresses both how dioceses responded to such allegations in the past and current policies that help ensure the safety of children and support the healing of survivors. These documents always hit me hard because children are our most precious gift. We, as Church, are called to teach, love, and protect God's children, but instead there are those who would do otherwise. To say it is heartbreaking is an understatement. It gives me pause and allows me to remember why I take on the extra work of being a safe environment administrator for multiple organizations besides UCYM. It gives me pause and calls me to pray for a conversion of heart for those who, especially in power, would use that power and their influence for evil against our children. It give me pause and calls me to prayer and a prayer that brings tears to my eyes as I know it brings tears to God's eyes when things like this happen. I pray for our clergy, especially those who champion protection of children. I know so many and I want to say thank you and encourage you to always go the extra mile where it counts. I pray for survivors of abuse and that they remember God's love, despite the betrayal from those who are meant to represent Jesus' ministry. I pray for parents and caregivers of survivors and abusers. I pray for our Church, that we continue to be a safe spiritual home for all. Please be assured of my unwavering commitment to the mandates and policies of the Archdiocese and steps we take here at UCYM to keep our children safe. I remain committed as does my administration and team. Please check our website (link below) to see what steps we take to keep our children safe. If you need to talk to someone, please do not hesitate to reach out. God's peace, Oblate James Holzhauer-Chuckas, ObSB Executive Director Picture Credit: Josue Ortiz |
Young Adult Journey with God - Voices of Hope | |
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“God became one of us so that we may become more like God.” Growing up, this quote from St. Athanasius of Alexandria always pointed me to ways of finding hope, especially in times when there was plenty of reason to lose hope. Living an authentic Catholic faith hasn’t always been rainbows and butterflies, but it’s not always supposed to be. The Apostle Peter, Jesus’ right hand, was the best among the Apostles and models for us that, even in moments when we doubt or even deny Jesus, we can always turn back and follow Jesus again. Sometimes, this can be scary. Life can give us plenty of reasons to find an easier way than faith to guide us, but it is our hope that leads us to the love of Christ and how that love becomes alive in our daily decisions.
The love of God has had many faces on my journey. Starting with my moms, who embody God for me, adopted me, chose me, just as God chose me. The lessons they taught me, the way they put forward their faith as a guide in their actions was something that rooted faith in me. It wasn’t always through going to church, but the constant return to the Gospel that always gave me such hope. As I got older and my family started to fall away from the church for very just reasons, specifically parish life, I had fears that I would lose my way, but I kept my hope in many things and, as my interest in studying theology grew, I turned to the Word of God. A fun fact: the phrase, “Do not be afraid” is written in the Bible 365 times. For me, especially after discovering this, it became a daily reminder from God to live fearless and not just to trust in God’s mysterious ways, but to be aware and be in touch through discernment. That was a daily choice, and it still is. Every day, I wake up and have hope in God through my relationships with family and friends.
My relationship with the Church has been complicated. Due to my strong advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community, women’s rights and ordination, and tensions with the idea of not only existing within but serving in a patriarchal hierarchy that has often resulted in alienating those who I love, I often found myself clashing with my peers, teachers, clergy, and others who hold stronger to the traditions of the Roman Catholic Church without any considerations for reform. I also found in the Church, however, many friends, mentors, clergy, and, eventually, my religious community (The Order of St. Benedict), who had common elements on their journey that allowed for mutual accompaniment. In the same vein, I also learned the importance of the universal call to accompaniment of my sisters, brothers, and siblings in Christ who don’t share my views and that, though our approaches may be different, we are to work together for the common good.
My parish growing up starts its mission statement with “All are welcome.” In the Body of Christ, we are all welcome because we, though different, form one body together. This is something I have held onto and will never let go of. That welcoming, that togetherness in Christ, is faith because though we do not all worship the same, have the same theological approach, or follow the same vocational calling, we are all bound to each other by the love of Christ, the same love that we are supposed to embody for others so that they, too, might have hope in a world that severely needs something to believe in, something to place our hope in. Every day, I strive to give hope to anyone whose path I cross.
The love of God has had many faces on my journey. Starting with my moms, who embody God for me, adopted me, chose me, just as God chose me. The lessons they taught me, the way they put forward their faith as a guide in their actions was something that rooted faith in me. It wasn’t always through going to church, but the constant return to the Gospel that always gave me such hope. As I got older and my family started to fall away from the church for very just reasons, specifically parish life, I had fears that I would lose my way, but I kept my hope in many things and, as my interest in studying theology grew, I turned to the Word of God. A fun fact: the phrase, “Do not be afraid” is written in the Bible 365 times. For me, especially after discovering this, it became a daily reminder from God to live fearless and not just to trust in God’s mysterious ways, but to be aware and be in touch through discernment. That was a daily choice, and it still is. Every day, I wake up and have hope in God through my relationships with family and friends.
My relationship with the Church has been complicated. Due to my strong advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community, women’s rights and ordination, and tensions with the idea of not only existing within but serving in a patriarchal hierarchy that has often resulted in alienating those who I love, I often found myself clashing with my peers, teachers, clergy, and others who hold stronger to the traditions of the Roman Catholic Church without any considerations for reform. I also found in the Church, however, many friends, mentors, clergy, and, eventually, my religious community (The Order of St. Benedict), who had common elements on their journey that allowed for mutual accompaniment. In the same vein, I also learned the importance of the universal call to accompaniment of my sisters, brothers, and siblings in Christ who don’t share my views and that, though our approaches may be different, we are to work together for the common good.
My parish growing up starts its mission statement with “All are welcome.” In the Body of Christ, we are all welcome because we, though different, form one body together. This is something I have held onto and will never let go of. That welcoming, that togetherness in Christ, is faith because though we do not all worship the same, have the same theological approach, or follow the same vocational calling, we are all bound to each other by the love of Christ, the same love that we are supposed to embody for others so that they, too, might have hope in a world that severely needs something to believe in, something to place our hope in. Every day, I strive to give hope to anyone whose path I cross.
Dear UCYM Community,
Change is inevitable and, while not always all easy, I want to take this opportunity to update you on some shifts in our staff.
Change is inevitable and, while not always all easy, I want to take this opportunity to update you on some shifts in our staff.
Staff Leaving
Andrea Infante-Martinez has been appointed the new Executive Director of Puerta Abierta Preschool in Evanston! This incredibly exciting and we are so proud of Andrea's accomplishments. Andrea will transition out of her role with us June 30th. Andrea has served in the capacity of Interim Director for UCYM since December and has been helping keep all of the pieces together from administration to ministry. We wish Andrea well!
Josue Ortiz has been appointed Deputy Director of Digital Strategy for the City of Chicago! Josue is a seasoned and incredibly talented digital media professional. Josue has been serving as our Associate Director of Digital Engagement and is responsible for the wonderful videos and much of the professional photography UCYM produces. We wish Josue well!
Chris Radmacher has been accepted into a grad school program for teaching through Dominican University where they will be teaching in their own classroom! Chris joined us just a short time ago as our Coordinator of Young Adult Life and has been instrumental in helping us create a solid base for ministry with young adults. We wish Chris well!
We are very fortunate in that all three of these wonderful people will be staying on as volunteers!
Josue Ortiz has been appointed Deputy Director of Digital Strategy for the City of Chicago! Josue is a seasoned and incredibly talented digital media professional. Josue has been serving as our Associate Director of Digital Engagement and is responsible for the wonderful videos and much of the professional photography UCYM produces. We wish Josue well!
Chris Radmacher has been accepted into a grad school program for teaching through Dominican University where they will be teaching in their own classroom! Chris joined us just a short time ago as our Coordinator of Young Adult Life and has been instrumental in helping us create a solid base for ministry with young adults. We wish Chris well!
We are very fortunate in that all three of these wonderful people will be staying on as volunteers!
Staff Promotions
Malakai (Kai) Chuckas was hired in March as our Coordinator of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and has accepted a promotion to Associate Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Kai joined our team to primarily work on the Anti-Racism Youth Pilot program, but has become invaluable in also helping us reframe our outreach and ministry so that it is inclusive, which is really important to us and to young people as the Church continues to seek a connection today. Kai will oversee a broader scope related to topics of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Vanessa Barajas was hired in January as our Coordinator of Young Adult Engagement. Vanessa has worked hard on making our podcast a big success! Vanessa has accepted a promotion to Associate Director of Young Adult Engagement. Vanessa will be the team leader for young adult ministry and help oversee the wider scope of ministry with young adults.
Katia Silva was hired in December as our Associate Director of Marketing & Communications and volunteered in that capacity since fall of 2021. Katia has worked tirelessly to create a strategy and plan for UCYM's marketing and communications for the community and parishes. Katia has accepted a promotion to Associate Director of Digital Engagement. In her new role, Katia will help oversee the whole scope of digital media: social media, electronic communications, and paper publications.
Mirka Gallo was rehired in March after leaving for a bit as our Coordinator of Administrative Support. Mirka has worked hard to support the staff with administrative tasks not related to ministry so that ministry staff do not become overwhelmed. Mirka has accepted a promotion to Manager of Administrative Support to support the entire scope of administrative work.
Vanessa Barajas was hired in January as our Coordinator of Young Adult Engagement. Vanessa has worked hard on making our podcast a big success! Vanessa has accepted a promotion to Associate Director of Young Adult Engagement. Vanessa will be the team leader for young adult ministry and help oversee the wider scope of ministry with young adults.
Katia Silva was hired in December as our Associate Director of Marketing & Communications and volunteered in that capacity since fall of 2021. Katia has worked tirelessly to create a strategy and plan for UCYM's marketing and communications for the community and parishes. Katia has accepted a promotion to Associate Director of Digital Engagement. In her new role, Katia will help oversee the whole scope of digital media: social media, electronic communications, and paper publications.
Mirka Gallo was rehired in March after leaving for a bit as our Coordinator of Administrative Support. Mirka has worked hard to support the staff with administrative tasks not related to ministry so that ministry staff do not become overwhelmed. Mirka has accepted a promotion to Manager of Administrative Support to support the entire scope of administrative work.
New Staff Members
Please join us in welcoming Mireya Dominguez to our staff as the Senior Coordinator of Quinceañera Ministry! Mireya is a seasoned non-profit professional and volunteers with many non-profit organizations in the area. Mireya is also a catechist assistant in the Religious Education program at St. Nicholas Parish. Mireya will be taking on leadership of the Quinceañera Ministry, which provides faith formation and accompaniment to over 50 young women a year.
I want to especially thank our outgoing staff. They are all moving on to incredibly impressive next chapters and I will, again, say we are lucky they are staying on as volunteers.
Please keep us in prayer as we plan for our new year, which begins July 1st. Please be assured of our prayers as well. More change are coming and we are working hard to continue being a ministry that is available to all young people!
Easter Blessings,
James Holzhauer-Chuckas, ObSB
p.s. see our leadership opportunities page for new volunteer and paid staff opportunities. Come join us!
Please keep us in prayer as we plan for our new year, which begins July 1st. Please be assured of our prayers as well. More change are coming and we are working hard to continue being a ministry that is available to all young people!
Easter Blessings,
James Holzhauer-Chuckas, ObSB
p.s. see our leadership opportunities page for new volunteer and paid staff opportunities. Come join us!
Today is International Transgender Day of Visibility. United Catholic Youth Ministries stands in solidarity with our transgender siblings and, especially on this day, we affirm that we see you and we love you! In a Theology on Tap talk, (then) Archbishop Wilton Gregory addressed the question of LGBTQIA+ persons and their participation in the church and he said, "You belong to the heart of this Church. There is nothing that you may do, may say, that will rip you from the heart of this Church." Today, around the world, we recognize your human dignity and want to remind you that you do belong to the heart of our ministry.
We offer this prayer (adapted by James Holzhauer-Chuckas, ObSB):
God of life and love that resides within and among us, we enter this moment with all that we are, with an open heart, and with a love for justice.
We hold in love and prayer all transgender people, so many of whom live under the weight of violence, fear, and intolerance.
We hold in love and prayer all the ways that transgender people have survived and thrived in a hostile world.
We hold in love and prayer all who recognize the significance of gender justice for all people.
We pray for the dawn of a new day when the very humanity of trans people is no longer called into question or ignored.
We pray that physical, emotional, and spiritual violence will come to an end.
We pray that a spirit of compassion and care will fill us to overflowing, that we may have the capacity to listen, learn, and grow not only in our awareness but also in our willingness to act.
We pray for teachers, spiritual leaders, social workers, lawyers, and all people who heed the call to support Trans liberation, Trans leadership, and Trans visibility. May they ultimately lean into the Light of truth and justice, offering hope to Trans and gender nonconforming youth and adults.
We make this prayer through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
We offer this prayer (adapted by James Holzhauer-Chuckas, ObSB):
God of life and love that resides within and among us, we enter this moment with all that we are, with an open heart, and with a love for justice.
We hold in love and prayer all transgender people, so many of whom live under the weight of violence, fear, and intolerance.
We hold in love and prayer all the ways that transgender people have survived and thrived in a hostile world.
We hold in love and prayer all who recognize the significance of gender justice for all people.
We pray for the dawn of a new day when the very humanity of trans people is no longer called into question or ignored.
We pray that physical, emotional, and spiritual violence will come to an end.
We pray that a spirit of compassion and care will fill us to overflowing, that we may have the capacity to listen, learn, and grow not only in our awareness but also in our willingness to act.
We pray for teachers, spiritual leaders, social workers, lawyers, and all people who heed the call to support Trans liberation, Trans leadership, and Trans visibility. May they ultimately lean into the Light of truth and justice, offering hope to Trans and gender nonconforming youth and adults.
We make this prayer through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
UCYM Covid-19 Guidelines
As of February 11, 2022
Mask Mandate (from the Archdiocese of Chicago)
In light of the recent decision by City of Chicago officials to lift the city’s mask mandate on February 28, and the relaxation of COVID mitigations in Oak Park and Evanston, all archdiocesan parishes, churches, schools and offices, will transition to mask-optional environments on February 28.
As our parishes and schools transition to mask-optional, please note the following:
Vaccination
Vaccination is no longer required for program participation, however, we strongly encourage everyone to be vaccinated and boosted against Covid-19, the flu, and all other preventable illness.
Programming
All programming returns to normal schedule.
Food During Programs
Food and drink during programs has been fully reinstated.
UCYM Center and Office Operations
The UCYM Office return to normal operations and is open to the public.
If you have any questions, please direct them to our Covid-19 Task Force at covidtaskforce@ucym.org. We thank you in advance for your cooperation as we seek to keep everyone safe and healthy. We will keep you in prayer and we hope you keep us in prayer as well.
As of February 11, 2022
Mask Mandate (from the Archdiocese of Chicago)
In light of the recent decision by City of Chicago officials to lift the city’s mask mandate on February 28, and the relaxation of COVID mitigations in Oak Park and Evanston, all archdiocesan parishes, churches, schools and offices, will transition to mask-optional environments on February 28.
As our parishes and schools transition to mask-optional, please note the following:
- Parishioners and Religious Education families should be reminded to report any COVID positive cases (instances when the individual has been on parish property within 48 hours of symptoms or positive diagnosis) to the parish office so appropriate communication can be shared with close contacts.
- Everyone is encouraged to vaccinate, boost when eligible, and wear masks, if preferred. N95 masks are highly effective at preventing transmission of COVID regardless of whether the wearer is around masked or unmasked individuals. We support everyone in their mask use decisions. .
- Our isolation and quarantine protocols are not changing. Even in a mask-optional environment, anyone – regardless of vaccination status – must isolate if they are symptomatic or test positive. Unvaccinated close contacts must continue to quarantine per current guidelines. In addition, people coming out of isolation or quarantine must wear a mask for an additional five days per CDC guidance.
Vaccination
Vaccination is no longer required for program participation, however, we strongly encourage everyone to be vaccinated and boosted against Covid-19, the flu, and all other preventable illness.
Programming
All programming returns to normal schedule.
Food During Programs
Food and drink during programs has been fully reinstated.
UCYM Center and Office Operations
The UCYM Office return to normal operations and is open to the public.
If you have any questions, please direct them to our Covid-19 Task Force at covidtaskforce@ucym.org. We thank you in advance for your cooperation as we seek to keep everyone safe and healthy. We will keep you in prayer and we hope you keep us in prayer as well.