New program will focus on teen faith and life

This year's Spring Enrichment will include a first-of-its kind program on May 13 called "Tuesday for Teens."

From 3:30-8:30 p.m., teens ages 15 and up and adult chaperons can:

* attend a number of hour-long workshops;

* hear a joint keynote talk by nationally-known church musician and composer Tom Kendzia of Rhode Island and Rev. Robert Longobucco, pastor of St. Helen's parish in Schenectady and a former campus minister; and

* participate in a living Rosary for all attendees at Spring Enrichment.

According to Stephen Mawn of the diocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, which sponsors the event, Tuesday for Teens was designed as a way to better include teens in Spring Enrichment.

All-inclusive

"We wanted them to more actively participate in the programs we offer. Many teens in our Diocese are involved in parish ministry as catechists, lectors, eucharistic ministers and altar servers," he noted. "Since Spring Enrichment is held on weekdays and evenings, it has been a problem to schedule teen programs because of school and extra activities."

In keeping with this year's theme of "Encountering the Living Christ," six teen-focused workshops will be presented: for example, how teens encounter Jesus every day through the people they meet.

Brian Evers, one of the workshop presenters, is pastoral associate for youth ministry and Confirmation at St. Pius X in Loudonville. His workshop is called "Jesus goes to Hollywood."

Internet to iPods

When working with teens, he said, "it's good to talk about what they use every day. They're always using iPods and computers; they watch TV and listen to their own music. I've actually used [this content] with adults at Spring Enrichment and it's a lot of fun."

In his workshop, "we'll take a look at movies, music, the internet, TV programs that they watch and how they discern what the message is -- which can sometimes be good and other times not so good. We'll discuss if and how they deliver the Gospel message."

He also plans to show clips from contemporary TV shows.

Other workshops include "Encountering Christ through Serving Others," by Sister Monica Murphy, CSJ, of Catholic Central High School in Troy and Pyramid Life Center in Paradox; "Popular Culture and Faith, and Simple Living," by Fred Boehrer of Albany's Emmaus House, a Catholic Worker community; and "Download your Personality," by Tony and Nancy Paino. Mrs. Paino is pastoral associate for faith formation at Christ the King parish in Westmere.

Regarding the living Rosary in which teens will participate, Mr. Mawn remarked that "it's very popular, and we thought this would be a great way to include the teens in that intimate prayer."

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