About Us

Very Reverend James A. Kuroly, Ed. D

Father Kuroly was born in Queens, New York and attended Saint Anthony of Padua and then Cathedral Preparatory Seminary High School. He attended Saint John's University for a degree in Philosophy while continuing his discernment at Cathedral House of Formation, Douglaston. After graduation, he entered the Seminary of Immaculate Conception, Huntington. He was ordained a priest in 2007 and was assigned to Our Lady of Sorrows, Corona. He then served as faculty member and assistant principal at Cathedral Prep. During this time, he also served as the Spiritual Director of the Jornada Movement and chaplain for the office of youth and young adult ministry. He was then appointed pastor of Saint Rose of Lima, Rockaway. In 2019, Bishop DiMarzio assigned him Rector-President of Cathedral Prep. In 2022, Bishop Brennan made him the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry.

Lucia M. Morales, MPA

Ms. Morales was raised in the Bushwick/Ridgewood area in Brooklyn and Queens. She attended St. Brigid’s parish in Bushwick most of her life where she received her sacraments, was an altar server, catechist and active member of the Jornada Movement. Ms. Morales received her Undergraduate degree from Hunter College, CUNY in Psychology. After working in case management for five years, she was then hired as the Specialist for the Catholic Youth Ministry Initiative in the Diocese of Brooklyn. During this time, she pursued her Graduate degree from Baruch College, CUNY and graduated in 2020 with her Master’s in Public Administration. Most recently, she was promoted to Associate Director of Youth and Young Adult Formation and works with Fr. James Kuroly.

The mission of youth ministry is to transform the youth from a disciple into an apostle. A disciple refers to the follower and student of the gospel of Jesus Christ. A disciple is called and chooses to believe. He or She is the learner of the teachings of Christ and his Church. An Apostle refers to the messenger and ambassador of Christ. An apostle is chosen to serve the master and sent to spread the gospel. Therefore, the Youth are to be active participants in fulfilling the mission of your parish and building up the Kingdom of God in Brooklyn and Queens. This mission continues today, and the youth serve in continuing to build a new heaven and a new earth here in Brooklyn and Queens. Our youth are given wonderful gifts, they have faith, hope, and charity. What they want is to put these gifts into action. The mission of youth ministry in parishes is to take the journey with our youth to answer their present call as those who serve, evangelize and lead the parish. Youth ministry is to connect our young people to the parish community through involvement in the life of the Church and the larger Catholic community. They are to be at the table, not simply a "kids" table.

The goals of the Youth Ministry are threefold: 1) To empower young people in answering the universal call to holiness by becoming active members of the Church. 2) It is to give young people the responsibility of participating in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic faith community. 3) To form and develop young people into leaders of today and tomorrow. This is done through the four Pillars of Youth Ministry: Eucharistic, Evangelization, Community, Social Justice and Service. These pillars must guide the efforts in empowering young people to live out the Mission of the parish. When youth ministry is done with, by, and for youth and young adults incorporating all four pillars, the youth and young adults not only will be formed as members of the future of the Church, but they become very much the present, who take an active role in achieving the Church’s mission.

Promote the Youth Ministry, its vision and strategic plan to all agencies in the Diocese of Brooklyn. Accompanying those who Minister with Youth with pastoral care, professional development, spiritual formation, and resources for effective Christ-centered ministry. Assist the accompaniment of youth through experiences that facilitate encounters with Christ and His Church. Engage and form youth to be leaders and apostles who are sent to fulfill the mission of the Church.