Diocese of Knoxville Catholic Youth Ministry

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Diocese of Knoxville Catholic Youth Ministry

Diocese of Knoxville Youth, Young Adult and Pastoral Juvenil Ministry is here to serve the Catholic population of East Tennessee.

We seek to promote, train and advocate for the youth of our diocese.

07/23/2026

We're delighted to welcome Luis Ramos to Ministries Day 2026!

Walking with Youth & Families Through Grief

Grief enters every parish. Whether through the death of a loved one, su***de, illness, divorce, tragedy, or unexpected loss, ministry leaders are often left asking, "What do I say? What do I do?"

In this honest and practical session, Luis will help ministry leaders:
• Accompany grieving young people and families with compassion
• Respond without feeling the need to "fix" someone's pain
• Become more comfortable with presence, silence, and tears
• Grow in confidence when walking alongside others through life's most difficult moments

Drawing from years of pastoral ministry, mental health advocacy, and personal experience with grief, Luis will share practical wisdom, real-life stories, and a few "learn from my mistakes" moments that will leave you better equipped to accompany others with hope and compassion.

Luis Ramos serves as Pastoral Associate and Coordinator of High School and Young Adult Ministry at Our Lady of Fatima in Alcoa. He is a trainer with the Tennessee Su***de Prevention Network, President of the Mental Health Association of East Tennessee, a Spanish medical interpreter at Blount Memorial Hospital, and completed Clinical Pastoral Education at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in 2024.

Additional Information & Registration: https://dioknox.org/events/ministries-day-2026

07/22/2026

We're excited to welcome Crystal Marchand to Ministries Day 2026!

Everybody's Ministry: How to Engage Pastors, Parents, and Parishioners

Healthy youth ministry doesn't happen because one leader works harder. It happens when an entire parish embraces the mission of forming young disciples.

In this practical session, Crystal will share relationship-centered strategies to help:
• Invite pastors into the mission of youth ministry
• Equip parents as the primary formers of their children
• Engage parishioners as mentors, volunteers, and supporters
• Build a culture where everyone takes ownership of passing on the faith

You'll leave with practical ideas you can begin implementing immediately to strengthen partnerships and create a more sustainable, mission-driven youth ministry.

Crystal Marchand serves as the Director of Member Engagement for ProjectYM and is the youth minister at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Chattanooga. With more than 15 years of experience as a volunteer, retreat leader, small group leader, and ministry trainer, she is passionate about helping youth ministers build thriving ministries rooted in authentic relationships and a shared mission.

Additional Information & Registration: https://dioknox.org/events/ministries-day-2026

07/21/2026

We're excited to welcome Casey Merrill, LPC-MHSP, CCTP II to Ministries Day 2026!

Accompanying Young People Through Mental Health Challenges

Today's teenagers are facing unprecedented levels of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and emotional stress. While youth ministers are not mental health professionals, they are often among the first trusted adults a young person turns to.

In this practical and hope-filled session, Casey will explore how to:
• Recognize common warning signs
• Respond to difficult conversations with compassion
• Maintain healthy pastoral boundaries
• Know when and how to refer families to professional support
• Integrate faith and hope while taking mental health seriously

Casey serves as the Executive Clinical Director of HopeNation and as a contract therapist for Catholic Charities of East Tennessee. With more than a decade of counseling experience specializing in complex trauma, resilience, and mental wellness, Casey is passionate about equipping ministers, educators, and caregivers with practical, trauma-informed tools that foster connection, promote hope, and support those facing mental health challenges.

Whether you serve in youth ministry, catechesis, Catholic education, or pastoral ministry, this is a session you won't want to miss.

Additional Information & Registration: https://dioknox.org/events/ministries-day-2026

07/20/2026

Join us at All Saints Catholic Church for a day of formation, fellowship, and inspiration! Ministries Day was once a beloved tradition in the Diocese of Knoxville, and we are excited to bring it back as an opportunity for ministry leaders, volunteers, and parishioners to gather, learn, and grow together.

Throughout the day, participants will choose from a variety of workshops led by experienced speakers representing many different areas of ministry. You will attend four breakout sessions, and during registration you can indicate your preferred workshops for each time slot. We will do our best to place everyone in their top workshop selections.

A boxed lunch is included with your $20 registration fee, which helps cover the cost of lunch, materials, and our presenters.

Registration closes Monday, August 3.

Please help us spread the word by sharing this invitation with other ministry leaders, volunteers, and anyone in your parish who may benefit from a day of encouragement, practical formation, and connection. We look forward to seeing you there!

Additional Information & Registration: https://dioknox.org/events/ministries-day-2026

07/16/2026

🚚TRAVELING STORYTELLING MUSEUM🚚

People of Hope: Faith-Filled Stories of Neighbors Helping Neighbors, a one-of-a-kind, tractor-trailer-sized museum, is hitting the road and will visit Knoxville and Chattanooga this August!

The museum shares professionally produced, first-person stories from Catholic Charities staff and volunteers across the country, highlighting meaningful encounters with individuals and families in need.

Visitors can also explore interactive poverty-simulation experiences; U.S. and state-level poverty data visualizations; recordings of book excerpts about poverty, social isolation, bridgebuilding and community action; and a recording booth where they can share their own stories of hope.

This free, immersive experience will be hosted by Catholic Charities of East Tennessee on August 7-8, 2026 in Knoxville at World’s Fair Park from 9AM-3PM and then again on August 11-12, 2026 in Chattanooga at Miller Park from 9AM-3PM.

We hope you’ll join us for this meaningful and uplifting experience.

For more information about this exhibit visit ccetn.org/events!

07/13/2026

More than 100 high schoolers and adult chaperones from across Diocese of Knoxville spent the weekend at Steubenville ATL, joining other young Catholics in an opportunity to encounter Jesus Christ in a deeper way.

Throughout the weekend, our teens experienced powerful worship, the Sacraments, Eucharistic Adoration, and moments of genuine community. Centered on this year’s theme, Worthy, they were reminded that their identity is not found in what they accomplish or in what the world says about them, but in the love of Christ, who calls each of them His own.

Please continue to pray for these young people and their leaders as they return home. We pray that the graces of this weekend continue to bear fruit in their lives and that they have the courage to live as disciples, knowing they are deeply loved by God.

06/23/2026

Join Diocese of Knoxville Special Friends for a sensory-friendly Mass at Knoxville Catholic High School at 4 p.m. The Mass environment will be designed to accompany those with disabilities or sensory sensitivities.
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Due to limited space and to anticipate needed accommodations, please register by July 18: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=cTSXcAXR40SiA5lr0FEl5V71U7bkHehBqjiOwBA7wO1UMVRYTUdQUVRGSk5VT0ZQVE01WERDSU9MNi4u&route=shorturl

06/15/2026

This past week, youth from the Diocese of Knoxville traveled to Cincinnati, Ohio, for our Tau House Service Trip.

Throughout the week, participants lived in community while serving local nonprofit organizations and experiencing the Franciscan values of simplicity, service, community, and spirituality. Through their encounters and work, they were challenged to share their God-given gifts and recognize Christ in those they served.

“As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” — 1 Peter 4:10

Thank you to all of the sponsors and volunteers who made this experience possible. Please keep these young people in your prayers as they bring what they learned about faith, service, and community back to their parishes and homes.

06/06/2026

God Camp Bonfire and Warm Fuzzies!

Address

805 Northshore Drive SW
Knoxville, TN
37919

Website

http://www.dioknox.org/

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