OCY Toronto

WELCOME TO THE HOME OF THE

OFFICE OF CATHOLIC YOUTH

IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF TORONTO

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DISCOVER WHAT'S HAPPENING IN

YOUTH MINISTRY

THROUGHOUT THE ARCHDIOCESE

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LEARN MORE ABOUT

YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY

AND HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED

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About

THE OFFICE OF CATHOLIC YOUTH (OCY) IS FOCUSED ON CULTIVATING RELATIONSHIPS AND PROVIDING SUPPORT TO THOSE WHO MINISTER TO YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE PARISH COMMUNITIES WITHIN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF TORONTO IN ONTARIO, CANADA.

Primary Mission

To assist in the evangelization of young people by providing consulting, training, and resources to start-up and sustain strong youth, campus and young adult ministry at the parish (local) level.

Our vision is to form youth and young adults into Christian leaders who come to know Christ, deepen their relationship with Him, and are transformed into one of His faith-filled disciples - evangelize, gather, catechize, and send forth.

Secondary Mission

To host diocesan events: conferences, camps, retreats, etc., and collaborate with diocesan offices, school boards, lay associations, religious communities etc., that strengthen youth, campus and young adult ministries.

Our area of focus for youth is defined as tweens and teens ages 11 to 17. Our area of focus for young adults is defined as students and young professionals ages 18-35.

Our work is never done

While our office is funded by ShareLife, we can't help but dream about how much more we could be doing! If you would like to assist us in ministering to youth and young adults throughout the Archdiocese, please use the button below. We are very grateful for your support.

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Team

Fr. Frank Portelli

Director

Born and raised in Toronto, Father Frank was ordained in 2009 and served previously at St. Luke's Parish in Thornhill.

Leyna
Jacques-Carr

Administrative Assistant

Since rediscovering the richness of the church with her family, God has shown Leyna the joys of following Him by giving her the opportunity to be part of the OCY and by leading her to her, now, husband.

John MacMullen

Associate Director,
Youth Ministry

John brings an experienced youth ministry background from his many years as Youth Minister at St. Timothy parish in Orangeville.

Eamonn Doyle

Associate Director,
Programs, Technology and Communications

Eamonn is a native of St. Marys, Ontario and formerly worked in the television industry, spending 12 years at a national sports TV network.

Stephanie Benedetti

Associate Director,
Young Adult Ministry

Stephanie grew up participating in OCY events never imagining that God would call her to serve her home parish for 7 years as the parish Youth Minister.

Eliza Trotter

Diocesan Coordinator of Campus Ministries

Eliza holds a Master of Arts in Medieval Studies and she joins OCY after many years working in independent Catholic schools in the GTA.

Chai Bonoan

Coordinator, Programs, Technology and Communications

Chai is an experienced graphic designer who worked previously as a parish youth minister, as well as a Re:Generation missionary.

Become a Volunteer

Giving your time to help inspire young people can be very rewarding.

If you are looking to become involved with youth ministry or young adult ministry on a volunteer basis, please contact us and we can put you in touch with our area contacts. While there are volunteer opportunities from time to time in our office, the majority of opportunities arise in individual parishes.

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Ministry

Youth Ministry

We work with parishes throughout the Archdiocese to support and assist them in their mission of ministering to youth ranging in age from 11 to 18.

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Young Adult Ministry

We work with parishes, campus ministries, and our own growing network of young adult leaders in an ongoing effort of ministering to students and young professionals ages 18-35.

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Young Catholic Missionaries

We recruit and form young adults, creating young Catholic missionaries who go out in the world to evangelize. Our first program, RE:Generation seeks to build a culture of life.

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Maria Espinoza

The Office of Catholic Youth has been supporting the youth at St. Patrick’s Parish in Mississauga for over 10 years. We would not be where we are without their prayers and help! Whether starting a new ministry, finding guest speakers, training support, or needing someone to talk to, it is amazing to have a group of people who have your back whenever you need it. We are very blessed here in the Archdiocese!

Alycia Rodrigues

Working with the OCY as a volunteer has enabled me to grow in faith, make new friends, and learn more about effective ministry. This encouraged me to respond to my pastor’s request to start up a Young Adult Ministry at our church in Brampton! If you're interested in establishing a similar ministry in your area, I would definitely recommend reaching out to the Office of Catholic Youth!

Stephanie Brown

The Office of Catholic Youth's mission of Re:Generation is so vital because it aims not only to spread the message of Theology of the Body to young people, but it also provides the opportunity for the missionaries themselves to seek to Renew, Restore and Refresh our culture's mentatlity of love, life and sexuality by the way that they live.

Gallery

All Youth Young Adult YCM Theology on Tap EDGE Camp Steubenville Toronto

Item 4 — Spiritus Via 2019 Kick-off

More Spiritus Via 2019 BBQ Kick-off photos here.

Item 7 — Steubenville Toronto 2017

For more SteubieTO photos, click here.

Item 3 — Theology on Tap West

For more photos from this event, click here.

Item 1 — Advent Adoration & Social

For more photos from this event, click here.

Item 2 — Theology on Tap West

For more photos from this event, click here.

Item 5 — YM Training Day 2013

For more photos from this event, click here.

Item 6 — Youth Ministers Day 2013

For more photos from this event, click here.

Youth Ministry Subsidy

We have developed a process for parishes to apply to receive financial support through our Family of Faith Youth Ministry Subsidy.

Subsidy Application Process

UPDATE! Thank you to parishes who have applied for the subsidy. We will continue to accept applications and hold them until our next review period. For application information, please click below.

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“We desire to be able to welcome Jesus at #Christmas time, not in a cold manger of our heart, but in a heart full of love and humility, in a heart so pure, so immaculate, so warm with love for one another.” – St. Teresa of Calcutta #happybirthdayJesus
Follow us @OCYToronto

Nov 29

News

05 Feb'19 OCY Admin

Youth Ministry Certification

In partnership with Franciscan University of Steubenville, we are pleased to offer a comprehensive youth ministry certificate program.

02 Oct'19 OCY Admin

Steubenville Toronto 2020

Group registration for Steubenville Toronto 2020 opens on January 15 - don't miss out!

Upcoming Events

If you would like your event listed on our site, please send us an email with the needed info. For more details on any event listed here, please click on the event title.