The Archdiocesan Youth Council (AYC) is a diverse group of high school teens from across the Archdiocese of Hartford selected to be the voice of the young Church to the Archbishop, priests and deacons, youth and campus ministers and the parishes at large!
Our Mission
By providing leadership, formation, and community, the AYC aims to give adolescents a voice for the young church to the Archbishop of Hartford, become missionary disciples and help facilitate programming for the youth of the Archdiocese.
High School Teens: We Need YOUR Voice Heard!
Responsibilities
Eligibility
Time Commitment
- Attend AYC Workshop & Retreat Day and AYC Commissioning Mass (Both held at Pastoral Center – 467 Bloomfield Ave, Bloomfield, CT 06002 – See Important Dates below.).
- Attend monthly formation meetings (mainly weeknights; location: Saint Dominic Church (Saint Luke Parish) – 1050 Flanders Rd., Southington, CT 06489).
- Inform the Archdiocese on numerous topics for events for youth, volunteers and Youth Ministers.
- Provide support for Archdiocesan Youth Ministry events.
- Remain active as a missionary disciple, leader and role model within your parish.
- Active, practicing Catholic
- Confirmed or preparing for confirmation
- Currently in 10th, 11th or 12th grade in the fall of 2026
- A role model to peers
- One Year (July 2026 – May 2027).
- Attend monthly formation meetings and annual retreat.
- Attend mass weekly.
- Receive the sacrament of reconciliation once a month or as often as possible.
- Remain active in ministry at your parish.
Applications for 2025-2026 Will Open on May 4, 2026
How to Apply – for New Members
How to Re-Apply – Returning Members
Applicants will have to submit a completed Application Form as well as a Recommendation Form from a Parish or Catholic High School official who can attest to the candidate’s leadership skills or willingness to learn new skills and level of commitment. Simply click on the 2026-2027 AYC Application button below to begin the application process. You can send the link to the Recommendation form to the person writing the recommendation form on your behalf or simply send them to this page on our website.
Applications are not complete until both forms are submitted.
Applicants will be notified if they have been selected at the beginning of July 2026. We may receive many applications and therefore not all may be chosen to be on the youth council. We encourage you to remain active in your Parish Youth Ministry and/or high school Campus Ministry!
If selected for the 2026-2027 AYC, a parent/guardian will also be required to submit a Parent Waiver form for their teen on the council.
Students who served on the 2025-2026 council may reapply for another term. Applicants will fill out a sperate application but will still be considered with all others who apply for a spot on the 2026-2027 Archdiocesan Youth Council. Therefore, renewal applicants are also not guaranteed a spot on the council. Renewal applicants do not need to submit a new recommendation.
- Saturday, August 15, 2026 – The 2026-2027 AYC will begin their term at the AYC Retreat & Workshop Day on Saturday August 15, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The retreat will be held at the Pastoral Center (467 Bloomfield Ave., Bloomfield, CT, 06002). This is a mandatory event for all council members.
- Saturday, September 19, 2026 – There will be a Commissioning Mass for the 2026-2027 AYC Members on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the Pastoral Center (467 Bloomfield Ave., Bloomfield, CT, 06002). Mass will be at 4:00 p.m. and dinner will follow at 5:00 p.m. Families and friends of councilmembers will also be invited. This is a mandatory event for all council members.
- You can find the monthly AYC Member Meeting Schedule (opens to a PDF of schedule) here.
Questions?
If you need more information, or have any questions, please feel free to contact:
Joshua Kay
Associate Director of Youth & Young Adults
Joshua.Kay@aohct.org | 860-541-6491 ext. 2664