Parishes making strides in youth ministry

Since then, the Church in the U.S. and the Albany Diocese have seen their share of changes in youth ministry.

Mary Harrison, associate director for youth ministry for the diocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, noted that when she began working for the OEC, there were 16 youth ministry leaders in the Diocese. Today, her mailing list numbers 92.

Mrs. Harrison took several goals outlined in "Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry" and explained how parishes in the Albany Diocese have worked on them:

1. Advocacy. In the past quarter-century, said Mrs. Harrison, there has been a shift in the Diocese from just hiring a youth minister in a parish to, in a sense, entire parishes becoming youth ministers. Many parishes have ministry "teams" of clergy, laity and the young people themselves. She pointed to Sacred Heart parish in Castleton as one example of this philosophy.

"There is a very solid team," she stated. "They made it known throughout all the ministries in the parish that young people were eager to be involved."

As a result, youth are a part of many of Sacred Heart's ministries. Three young people serve on the youth ministry team -- something the director called "advocacy in itself."

2. Catechesis. Since the OEC was formerly known as the diocesan Office of Religious Education, Mrs. Harrison said it was obvious that catechesis has been a focus of its work. However, she added, "we're trying to move out of a `school model' to better integrate catechesis into the lives of young people."

One parish where this is happening is Our Lady of Mercy in Colonie. Mrs. Harrison said that youth ministry director Irene Rainville has held mini-courses and workshops there to help both youth and adults grow in their faith.

At Christ the King parish in Westmere, she added, religious education includes service, sacramental preparation and looking at social justice issues. These efforts "become intentional catechesis," because the youth reflect on what they're doing, the director said.

3. Community life. This aspect of youth ministry was once looked at as a way of building social connections, said Mrs. Harrison; but today, community life is "being built by young people in service and in ministries." In other words, as youth do service projects and other work together in their parishes, they get interested in spending time together socially.

"Community life is built into the other components," the director explained. "I love the community life that goes on when young people do peer retreats."

At St. Ambrose parish in Latham, she said, youth gather for liturgy and then stay on for an "afterglow" program, so "they certainly do build community" by having an extended amount of time together.

4. Evangelization. This component is one "we're striving to better understand," said Mrs. Harrison. "It's really the energizing core, because it is the foundation of who we are, presenting Jesus and the Gospel message."

On the diocesan level, she noted that Rev. Tony Maione, the OEC's clergy associate for youth ministry, is leading a workshop Nov. 18 on how evangelization is part of all youth ministry.

Since evangelization is also a more intangible part of youth ministry, Mrs. Harrison said it's hard to name specific parishes that excel at it. Instead, she pointed out that many parishes have adult/youth mentoring programs or hold "lock-ins" where older youth can minister to younger, sharing not only faith, but also fun.

"It's a good evangelization tool," she stated. "A young person can say, `Oh, this is fun....God can be fun.'"

5. Justice and service. "This is a wonderful component," said Mrs. Harrison. "In many of the justice and service areas, a lot of parishes have something going on."

She highlighted Christ the King parish's annual ball (where teens and senior citizens pair up for the evening), runs and walks for cancer, and youth involvement in the annual Public Policy Forum as ways parishes have advanced in dealing with justice issues.

"Parishes are beginning to understand that service is a part of being a disciple of Jesus Christ," she said. "The key is reflecting on the service, knowing a little bit more about the foundation of service -- how this helps me build the reign of God."

6. Leadership development. "That's coming now, because when you call forth the gifts and talents of young people, you've got to have them trained," Mrs. Harrison told The Evangelist. "A lot of leadership training is going on."

She cited the diocesan Christian Leadership Institute, catechesis, peer retreat teams and other efforts to promote young people's gifts. In addition, she noted that St. Vincent de Paul parish in Albany has had Renew groups for young people toward that end.

7. Pastoral care. The human sexuality curriculum used in religious education is one element of pastoral care, the director said. Parishes have also "become more attuned to young people needing to have discussions about alcohol and drugs."

She noted that Our Lady of Victory parish in Troy had a young person die due to alcohol, and "did a tremendous job" bringing in social workers and helping the youth struggle with grief.

"Bishop Maginn [High School in Albany] also has a wonderful Al-Anon program that Sister Ellen Secci runs," she added.

Mrs. Harrison named a host of parishes that routinely work on pastoral care issues, including Our Lady of Grace in Ballston Lake, St. Clement's in Saratoga Springs, Corpus Christi in Ushers, St. John the Baptist in Schaghticoke, St. Mary's in Oneonta, St. Teresa of Avila in Albany and St. Mary/St. Paul's in Hudson Falls.

8. Prayer and worship. "More and more parishes are trying to call forth full and active participation of young people in Eucharistic celebrations," Mrs. Harrison said. "At Our Lady of Mercy in Colonie, once a month they celebrate youth. It's not a youth Mass, because we don't want to separate young people, but they sit down with Father John Waldron prior to the liturgy and `break open the Word,' and assist him in developing the homily. It's a wonderful learning for them."

This component of youth ministry also calls for individual renewal, something accomplished through peer retreats in the Diocese -- but Mrs. Harrison added that the Schenectady deanery is also looking into developing a deanery peer retreat team.

The past quarter-century has seen a development in ownership of youth ministry on the parish level, Mrs. Harrison concluded.

"Up until 15 years ago, our only opportunity was for some social activity" and religious education, she said. "Now, we see more young people involved in the whole mission of the Church. Confirmation has more meaning today; there's much more involvement, and the involvement has more depth."

The director also noted that the "youth group mentality" in which young people were ministered "to" has been replaced by parishes ministering "with" their younger members. Youth are also getting their families and other parishioners involved because of their own involvement.

"Good, comprehensive youth ministry is revitalizing parish life for everyone," she said. "Young people's enthusiasm ignites enthusiasm among adults, as well."

(11-09-00) [[In-content Ad]]