Linking youth to Scripture aim of upcoming congress

The two-day event, titled "Open Wide the Door," is designed to allow young people to explore Scripture as the doorway to their faith tradition. The program is modeled after the National Youth Congress held last November in St. Louis as part of the National Catholic Youth Conference.

Parishes and Catholic high schools were asked to select two young people to attend the congress, which will be held Oct. 6-7. Approximately 150 youth are expected to attend.

Bible and youth

Priests were also invited to attend because "an important part of this process is the participation and input of our priests," she said. "It is also my hope that the dialogue begun at the Congress between the priests and young people will continue throughout the Diocese around Scripture and appropriate approaches to Scriptural catechesis."

Currently, 15 priests are registered for the event. Rev. Thomas Konopka, pastor of St. Joseph's parish in Greenwich, and Rev. Dominic Ingemie, pastor of St. James Church in Albany, will be presenting at the Congress; Bishop Howard J. Hubbard will open and close the event.

Goals

"Youth sometimes think that Scripture doesn't apply to them," he said. "Scripture is a living document. The task for youth is the same task for adults: to see Scripture alive today in our lives."

The Congress is also an opportunity for youth to be witnesses to adults, said Father Konopka. Many adults' understanding of Scripture is limited. With youth taking more of an interest, they can serve as role models for other Catholics and encourage a better understanding of Scripture, he said.

Insights

"According to Cardinal Mahoney of Los Angeles, to prepare for the Eucharist, we need to read the Scripture during the week," said Father Konopka. "This is something we all should be doing."

The Congress will also help the participants develop insight on how to read the Bible. "I hope they come away with an understanding of how to read Scripture," Father Konopka said. "There are different genres in the Bible."

Making connections

"We're finding through feedback from teens that they don't have the background [in the Bible] that some of their Protestant counterparts do," she said. "They feel lost because they don't have an understanding of Scripture."

With a better understanding of Scripture and how it can apply to their lives, the youth in attendance will learn that faith is not a segmented part of their lives, Ms. Dorn said.

"Faith is not just about coming to Mass or faith formation classes," she added. "It's a part of their daily lives. It's something to be lived on a daily basis."

Two-way street

"The youth give me energy," he said. "Spending time with young people is life-giving. They have an energy I want to tap into. I want to hear their spin on the Gospels. Maybe I'll use it in my homilies."

(Youth participation in the Congress is by invitation only. All clergy are invited to attend. For information, call 453-6630.)

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