Internship links student with youth ministry efforts

A formalized internship program between the diocesan Office of Religious Education and The College of Saint Rose in Albany is providing college students with an opportunity to explore professional ministry as a career.

The first participant in the program, Sharon Randall, a senior at Saint Rose, is interning in the Youth Ministry Office this semester.

"The program evolved out of our sense of wanting to call people to this ministry," said Jeanne Schrempf, director of the ORE. "We wanted to make college students aware of catechetical and youth ministry as a career. It's a great career choice with a lot of opportunities."

Mrs. Schrempf hopes the internship program will encourage young adults to consider ministry as a career. She also hopes to see the internship program become a solid training program for youth ministry so that it will serve both the Diocese and the college well.

First entrant

Ms. Randall inspired the ORE and college to develop the program. A communication arts major, she combined her interest in public relations and working with young people into a communication internship at St. John the Evangelist parish in Schenectady last spring.

That internship was the first of its kind for the communication arts department, Ms. Randall said, and it inspired her to pursue a minor in religious studies. After meeting with Mary Harrison, associate director of youth ministry for the ORE, the idea for a diocesan-level internship was born.

While a Saint Rose professor serves as an advisor to Ms. Randall during the internship, she is supervised and evaluated by the Office of Religious Education. She is also required to write a paper about her experiences during the internship.

Field experience

According to Mrs. Harrison, the program was designed to give interns experience on a diocesan level, as well as in the field. Once the internship is over, Ms. Randall will have worked with youth ministers in urban, suburban and rural parishes, as well as participating in diocesan and national events.

It is the work itself that has influenced Ms. Randall the most. When asked what impressed her, she responded, "First and foremost, it has been the people. The youth ministers are incredible."

Ms. Randall found her eight years working in the business world to be extremely competitive, but her experience in the youth ministry field has been one of support. "It's been a tremendous learning experience," she said.

Using talents

The Johnstown native has found that youth ministry allows her to use her skills as a workshop presenter and communicator in a Church setting. Since going through the Rite of Christian Initiation nine years ago, she has been involved in parish life by working with youth and adults. Working in youth ministry allows her to deepen her commitment to faith in her life.

Ms. Randall is not unique in her desire to serve the Church on a full-time basis after graduation. According to Mrs. Schrempf, three other Saint Rose students are ready to participate in the internship program. The office also has a desire to expand the program to include students from Siena College in Loudonville.

This interest in the program is an indicator of the interest of young adults to work in professional ministry. "This is one of the most hopeful signs in the past ten years," Mrs. Harrison said.

Learning experience

Ms. Randall's experiences in youth ministry have led her to realize that being a teenager today is much more difficult than it has been for teens of previous generations.

The young people she has worked with report that they are experiencing violence at levels previous generations have not, from television shows to everyday life. However, that only reinforces her belief in the importance youth ministry can play.

"Young people can find that strength and support can come from the Church," she said. "They need to know that when all else fails them, God is there for them. We can empower them to be leaders. God is at work in them."

Ms. Randall is looking forward to graduating in December and getting a job in youth ministry on the parish level. She also finds herself telling other students about the opportunities youth ministry can provide them. "It's important for college students to realize that this is an option," she said. [[In-content Ad]]