A Special Note from our Executive Director

Dear UCYM Community,
​
Peace in Christ!
​
On March 1, United Catholic Youth Ministries will celebrate our 10th Birthday! What began as a faithful “yes” to the Holy Spirit and Renew My Church in the Archdiocese of Chicago's call to renewal and collaboration has grown into a vibrant ministry of accompaniment, leadership development, and life-changing encounters for young people across the Chicagoland area and even a little beyond. As we mark this milestone, our hearts are filled with profound gratitude.

Over the past decade, we have witnessed countless moments of grace: teens discovering their voice in faith, young leaders stepping into service with confidence, parishes collaborating across boundaries, and families strengthened through authentic community. From retreats and immersion experiences to leadership formation and parish partnerships, UCYM has been a place where young people know they belong, are seen, and are sent forth as missionary disciples.

This anniversary is possible because of your generosity of time, talent, and treasure. Volunteers who stayed late, donors who believed in the mission, board members who stewarded vision, youth ministers who collaborated boldly, and parents who entrusted us with their children — you are the story of UCYM.
​
We also offer special gratitude to our founding pastors whose courage and pastoral imagination gave life to this ministry: Rev. Hernan Cuevas, Rev. Dan Costello, Rev. Kevin McCray, and Rev. Joseph Tito. Their willingness to dream beyond parish walls and invest in young people planted seeds that continue to bear fruit today. Their leadership reminds us that when the Church accompanies young people intentionally, lives are transformed.​

As we celebrate ten years, we are also looking ahead. We invite you to prayerfully consider three ways to support UCYM’s next decade of impact:

• 1. Give to the Ten-Year Fund
  Your gift — whether one-time or recurring — will directly support retreats, leadership formation, and sustainable infrastructure for the future. Every dollar strengthens our ability to accompany young people with excellence and accessibility.
• 2. Serve in Leadership
  We are currently discerning new leaders for open volunteer roles and our Board of Directors. If you feel called to help guide vision, governance, development, or programming, we would love to begin a conversation with you. The next ten years will require faithful, mission-driven leadership.
• 3. Continue to Pray
  Above all, we ask for your prayers. Pray for the young people we serve, for our staff and volunteers, for wisdom for our board, and for boldness as we step into the future. Prayer has sustained UCYM from day one, and it remains the foundation of everything we do.

​As we celebrate this milestone on March 1, may we remember that anniversaries are not simply about looking back — they are about renewing our commitment to the mission ahead. The same Spirit who inspired our founding continues to move among us.
​
Thank you for ten incredible years. With gratitude and hope, we look forward to the next decade of forming young people who know they are loved, called, and sent.

With profound gratitude and recommitted service to you,​

Oblate James Holzhauer-Chuckas, ObSB
Executive Director