Conboy Named to Youth and Young Adult Ministry Post

Thomas Conboy of Elmwood Park has been named Director of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries of the Archdiocese of Newark.
 
He will be responsible for promoting, in conjunction with the Pastoral Moderator and staff, the pastoral plan for youth ministry in the Archdiocese in accordance with the guidelines of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops.   He also will direct day-to-day activities of the Archdiocesan Retreat Center in Kearny -- a six-acre, full service day and overnight retreat and dining center serving youth and young adult groups -- and provide overall direction for all ministry programs, from retreats, to sports to summer day camps.
 
Conboy brings both extensive administrative and youth ministry experience to this position.   In previous assignments with both Gareb Shamus Enterprises Wizard Entertainment and Marvel Entertainment Group, Conboy was responsible for planning and execution of sales programs of publications in the fan/toy and comic book fields and ancillary products, management of a major distribution facility for company products, daily training and performance of staff, and the company’s outreach to distributors and wholesalers through trade show and other specialty programs.
 
He also has served for many years as director of Sports of St. Leo Parish, Elmwood Park, director of Bergen County Sports within the Archdiocese’s CYO program, and founder and director of the Group 4 Parochial School Basketball League in Bergen County.  A current member of the Borough Council of Elmwood Park, Conboy also serves as a member of St. Leo’s Parish and Finance councils.

In commenting on Conboy’s appointment as Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, Rev. Msgr. Richard Arnhols, Vicar for Pastoral Life of the Archdiocese, stated: “Tom understands the needs of youth and young adult ministry, through both his own personal experience as a young man from our Archdiocese participating in youth and CYO programs, and throughout his adult years serving the young people of his parish and County.    This combination of extensive background in business development, management, and staff training with personal knowledge of the needs of youth makes him particularly suited to the role of Director.
 
“In recent years, the demands and scope of youth and young adult ministry of this Archdiocese have grown considerably,” Arnhols continued.  “Tom’s ability to lead, to build teams, and to bring Gospel values to the business place will assist us greatly as we develop our plans to meet the growing needs of our full range of worship, retreat and sports programs so that the young people of today and tomorrow can continue to experience a full and deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.” Said Conboy of his new assignment: “I have always felt in my life that I have two full-time jobs.   The one that allowed me the opportunity to care for my family, and the other that allowed me the privilege to give back to the institution that provided me my foundation and tools to become the man I am today.  Through this new assignment as Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, I hope to work with pastors, principals, directors and coaches to ensure that our work in parishes and schools survives and succeeds.”

Conboy, his wife, Laura, and two sons, Thomas and Matthew, live in Elmwood Park.