Beginning in November, Bishop Nelson Perez will start a three-year term as episcopal liaison of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry. He will replace Bishop Frank Caggiano of Bridgeport, who is wrapping up two three-year terms as NFCYM episcopal liaison.
In the position, Bishop Perez will serve as an advocate for NFCYM and for youth ministry with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. He will join more than 20,000 high school-age students at the National Catholic Youth Conference Nov. 21-23 in Indianapolis, Indiana, as part of his first duties as episcopal liaison.
The bishop has a longstanding and deep commitment to youth and young adult ministry. Whenever possible he spends time with young people throughout the diocese, calling them “awesome, faith-filled young people full of hope and excitement for their faith.”
Since his installation as the 11thbishop of Cleveland in September 2017, he has visited dozens of elementary and high schools, as well as colleges, throughout the eight-county Catholic Diocese of Cleveland. He frequently reminds the youth that “you are not the future of the Church, you are the Church.”
A priest for 30 years, Bishop Perez was appointed auxiliary bishop of Rockville Centre, New York in 2012, serving as episcopal vicar for Hispanic ministry as well as episcopal vicar for the Eastern Vicariate before Pope Francis appointed him bishop of Cleveland. Currently, Bishop Perez is chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church. He also serves on the Bishops’ Committee on Religious Liberty and on the Administrative Committee, in addition to playing a key role in V Encuentro.
NFCYM is an organization dedicated to youth and young adult ministry. It is committed to advancing the field of pastoral ministry to young people by forming, equipping and supporting pastoral leaders in their ministry to young people and their families; modeling and fostering a ministry of accompaniment among young people of all cultures, languages, socioeconomic and geographic realities; and partnering with parents and equipping families of young people as they witness to Jesus Christ in their daily lives.
The organization coordinates three major conferences each year: NCYC, the National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry and Holy Fire.
Holy Fire is a daylong gathering specifically for middle-schoolers in grades 6-8 that draws about 2,000 to 3,000 young people. Holy Fire Great Lakes -- for Region 6, Ohio and Michigan -- will take place on Oct. 13 at Bowling Green State University. The delegation from the Cleveland diocese is being organized by the diocesan office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry.
The theme for NCYC, Nov. 21-23 in Indianapolis, is “Blessed, Broken, Given.” That event is expected to attract thousands of high-schoolers and chaperones. Delegations are organized by each participating diocese.
NFCYM will have its conference Dec. 10-12 in New Orleans, Louisiana. This event gathers and forms adults to strengthen and nourish those who accompany young people as they encounter and follow Christ.
Youth ministers can click HERE to contact the YYAM office for information about participating in Holy Fire Great Lakes or NCYC.
Details on NFCYM can be found HERE.
