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At World Youth Day in 1995, Pope John Paul II called for the Church to become a "traveling companion of young people."

In 2001, inspired by that vision, Rosemary Gavin helped launch the youth ministry program at Our Lady of the Assumption parish in Latham.

Ten years later, her main problem is checking the enthusiasm of teens who are all too ready to over-commit themselves. It's a rare blessing, she admitted.

The parish's "core leadership team" - so named for the importance of its members - keeps enticing more and more young people to get involved in events and activities.

"My life's path has shown me that it has been a vocation that has been growing in me for most of my adult life," said Mrs. Gavin, who considers her role as youth ministry coordinator more play than work. "I love the kids. They give me life and energy."

Mrs. Gavin credits the parish's religious education program for preparing knowledgeable, eager teens who participate in youth ministry. She hopes to celebrate the youth ministry program's 10-year anniversary by inviting former and current "cast and crew."

Visionary group
Aside from Pope John Paul's vision, she said the program also follows the components of the Catholic bishops' 1997 report on youth ministry, "Renewing the Vision."

Students are invited to join the core team for a one-year commitment. Each month, eight to 10 teenagers meet to connect, socialize and plan meals, fundraisers and parties to benefit the parish and community.

The young leaders conceive ideas to engage the faith formation students in the parish. They are joined by a handful of adults who want to help create a bond between the youth and the rest of the parish.

The meetings start and end with prayer. In between, the group coordinates events and activities which cover four areas: justice and service, community life, prayer and worship and evangelization.

At a recent meeting, Colin Sponable, a senior at Christian Brothers Academy in Albany, led the group in a Valentine's Day blessing.

Daniel Gavin, a sophomore at Shaker High School (and Mrs. Gavin's son), was facilitator for the meeting.

Minds of teens
Regarding the topic of justice and service, Lauren Coons, a sophomore at Shaker High, talked about pitching in at a friendship luncheon scheduled for the parish's senior citizens.

She also shared ways the youth of the parish can assist at Ronald McDonald House. The team decided to assemble care packages for families during an upcoming lock-in retreat.

Planning the events is often easier than getting people to volunteer, said Lauren, but food is good bait: "If you feed them, they will come."

Lauren herself is considered a "lifer" on the core team, because she has two older sisters who were also members.

Regarding community life, the teens discussed a recent snow tubing trip to Willard Mountain that attracted 41 people, a pancake breakfast and a Feb. 22 family game night and potluck.

Missy Urquhart, a senior at Shaker, said she also plans to get the group involved in the Relay for Life in the future.

Into the field
Emily Johnson and Julia DiFabio, both seniors at Shaker, said they talk to religious education classes about the core team's activities and send reminders through Twitter and Facebook to get students to come to events.

"I like to bring people with me to our events," Julia said, adding that team members also speak at Masses and design posters to publicize activities.

Colin will work with Rev. Geoffrey Burke, OLA's pastor, to plan the parish's Stations of the Cross for youth on April 1 as part of the core team's prayer and worship responsibilities.

On April 9, the group will help with a Giffy's barbecue fundraiser at the church; they also discussed their involvement in a May crowning and brunch on May 15 and the Pentecost youth awards on June 12.

Regarding the subject of evangelization, the group was getting ready to host the "Roamin' Catholics" group, which attracts middle school students for pizza and fun. They assembled Valentine goodie bags at the start of the meeting.

Despite how busy they are with all of these events, the group managed to get a new member, Matt Roberts, to think about an activity at the assisted living residence where his mother works and where he also volunteered last summer.

"I am excited to get involved," he told The Evangelist.

That pleased Mrs. Gavin, who likes to keep her team members engaged. "I am always worried about the burnout of the core leaders," she remarked. "That's why new blood is needed."

(Chris Ringwald contributed to this story.)

(02/17/11)[[In-content Ad]]

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