Parishes collaborate to offer youth ministry

Aaron Butler, a 16-year-old parishioner of Holy Cross Church in Salem, believes that a vibrant youth ministry program is necessary for parish survival.

"I don't know how any church survives without youth ministry," he said. "I hope that any parish that doesn't have youth ministry tries really hard to get it."

Aaron's parish started its youth ministry program three years ago as a collaborative ministry with St. Patrick's parish in Cambridge. The program was funded through a Capital Campaign grant from the Office of Evangelization, Catechesis and Family Life, said Michelle Stefanik, director of youth ministry for the OECFL.

On their own

The goal of the grants, said Ms. Stefanik, is to give parishes or clusters seed money to allow a sustainable program to be developed. Holy Cross and St. Patrick's are now financing their youth ministry program themselves.

"This shows that they had a good plan in place," Ms. Stefanik noted. "It's also a wonderful sign of vibrancy."

For Aaron, the collaboration between the two parishes has allowed him to meet other young Catholics he wouldn't ordinarily know.

"There's not a lot of kids in our church," he said. "I've enjoyed meeting new people from St. Patrick's."

Marissa Furforo, a 16-year-old parishioner of St. Patrick's, said it can be lonely being a Catholic teen in a small town. "The youth ministry program has brought together teens who share a common faith," she said. "It helps you to see that it's okay to be Catholic."

She enjoys the activities offered by the youth ministry program and the opportunity to share her faith with others -- especially at the National Catholic Youth Conference in Ohio, where she got to see many other Catholic youth.

Worthwhile

Aaron's parents, Richard and Tammy Butler, serve as coordinators of youth ministry for the two parishes. Although starting a multi-parish youth ministry program might be intimidating, Mr. Butler said the rewards are worth it.

He offered advice to parishes interested in starting a shared youth ministry program: "Go to both churches a lot. In the beginning, we would hit four Masses a weekend."

He also found that taking pictures of the teens participating in the youth ministry program and posting them in both parishes has been important.

"The kids like to see themselves and see who else is participating," he explained.

In addition to meeting the spiritual needs of the youth, Mr. Butler said the program also has a social component. The teens from the two parishes meet once a month at the Saturday vigil Mass at one of the churches, then go out bowling or to a movie.

Mr. Butler said the program is constantly evolving.

"It's never a done deal with youth ministry," he remarked. "I don't think you can ever say, 'We have arrived,' or 'We are successful,' because our clientele are constantly changing."

(07/31/08) [[In-content Ad]]