Parishes creating a community for teenagers

He came to the cluster -- St. James in North Creek, St. John the Baptist in Chestertown and Blessed Sacrament in Hague -- last March with the hope of strengthening youth ministry and reaching out both to young parishioners and to non-Catholics who attend area high schools.

"I think in many ways, we've exceeded our expectations," he said. "The youth have been supportive and open-minded. We've got a long way to go, but I'm really enthusiastic."

Priority: Youth

In the north country, he saw a need for more youth ministry in the three parishes but also challenges: The cluster includes three different school districts, and building community among teens who had no shopping malls or other common places to hang out wouldn't be easy.

When Father Fleming arrived, religious education classes were winding down, but Confirmation preparation was starting, so he got to know many teens who soon would be receiving this sacrament. They seemed interested in getting more involved in Church, and even non-Catholic teens wanted to socialize more and to put their artistic and musical skills to good use in the cluster.

Getting together

Religious education was offered again for teens from St. John's, who had been going to St. Cecilia's in Warrensburg for religious education. And the Warrensburg parish stays involved in retreats and other programs in the cluster.

Retreats have been held for junior high and high school students at Pyramid Lake and Barry House in Brant Lake, and teens are "getting out of the classroom model and being active," Father Fleming said. "I think they're yearning for a sense of identity and community, and hoping for more and more opportunities."

Varied events

About 250 teens and adults attended the coffeehouse, where young people showed off their musical skills. One teen donated a hand-crafted Adirondack chair that was raffled as part of the fund-raiser. Some teens later spent the night at the Silver Bay lock-in.

Neither event was necessarily religious, but Father Fleming and Sister Fran Husselbeck, RSM, the cluster's pastoral associate for parish life, were on hand to represent the cluster and promote youth ministry.

The cluster has planned other coffeehouses, and some teens who participated last month will help with a Reconciliation service in April.

Response positive

"We've had a lot more retreats, and there have been a lot of kids involved," she said. "The coffeehouse is a good idea. Most of us teens know each other because we play sports against each other, and the coffeehouse is a good place to go."

Bob Palandrani, a Blessed Sacrament parishioner, got involved in youth ministry through the coffeehouse. As a shop teacher at Ticonderoga High School, he knew that type of event had become a way for students to come together and raise money, and it seemed like a good idea for teens in the cluster.

"It's nice to see that people like Father Fleming and Sister Fran want to do something for the kids," he said. "They reach out, and they're open to everybody."

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