National Coverage of AYMP Lab!

Explainer Videos (Download in vertical format here).

The AYMP Lab experience, for teens in grade 9-12 (10 & 11 preferred) in fall 2025 (and their adult mentors), will have three main dimensions:

Regional "Missionary Creativity" Initiative

Young people will select local adult mentors. Those youth-adult teams will be accompanied by the AYMP Lab Co-Directors through an iterative design process of "missionary creativity," resulting in a regional initiative that serves local needs.

Initiatives must respond to one or more of the four primary areas of robust formation as articulated in recent Archdiocesan guidance: Formal Catechesis | Community Building | Prayer & Liturgy | Meaningful Service 

Synodal-Style Advising 

Young people and AYMP Lab Co-Directors will gather monthly via Zoom. Part of the virtual gathering time will be dedicated to working as an advisory council to OFYYAM and other entities as appropriate.

Formation for Missionary Discipleship 

Young people will receive well-rounded formation for missionary discipleship via their local mentors, during the monthly virtual meeting, and on two occasions of in-person gathering: a day retreat during the AYMP Lab process, and a celebratory “sending” liturgy at the close of the AYMP Lab cycle.

AYMP Lab teams consist of individuals from the various regions of the Archdiocese (though not necessarily the same parish/pastorate). Teams will include:

• 2 to 4 teens entering grades 9-12 (10 or 11 preferred) in fall 2025 - if you only have one teen so far, that's okay, too!
• 1 to 2 adult mentors of their choosing, who are willing to accompany the teens through the process and assist with the regional "missionary creativity" initiative

Teen participants need not have any prior leadership experience, but must be willing to engage fully in the AYMP Lab process (and to complete Worthy of the Call training if they have not done so previously).  

• The process includes virtual meetings roughly once per month, and two in-person gatherings (a day retreat and a celebration liturgy). 
• Dates and times are TBD in order to better accommodate applicant teams' schedules.

Adult mentors must be VIRTUS cleared/trained, but otherwise may include any adult Catholic in the community (including but not limited to the parent of a participant, clergy, parish staff members, ministry volunteers, coaches, scout leaders, teachers, etc...).

Applicant Teams must also submit a signed letter of support from the pastor of the parish/pastorate which will serve as the "home base" for the project. Additional pastor letters from any other parishes/pastorates represented on the team strengthen the application.