Service part of youths' lives

With hundreds of young Catholics in the Albany Diocese preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation this spring, service is becoming an increasingly important part of their lives.

Depending on the parish, the candidates might be continuing as lay ministers, just getting started in helping out at a food pantry, or simply performing daily acts of kindness, such as helping a little brother or sister with their homework.

Youth ministers at several parishes discussed ways in which the teens they work with are serving others in anticipation of receiving their Confirmation.

Everyday effort

At St. Matthew's Church in Voorheesville, Jeanine McCune, pastoral associate for youth ministry, wanted this year's Confirmation class to perform a different service from previous candidates, and she had a simple, yet clever, idea to accomplish that.

Instead of asking them to participate in a service project, Mrs. McCune suggested that the 33 teens say "Good morning" to their parents, thank them for washing their clothes, or offer to help their brother or sister with homework, among other kind deeds.

Although candidates could have chosen to get involved in a service project, Mrs. McCune wanted the class to understand that service should be part of daily Christian life, not just a requirement for Confirmation.

Daily life

"I firmly believe that if we are going to create functional Catholic Christians, we have to keep service simple, and it needs to be every day," she said. "I try to take the word 'requirement' out of it and adapt it to their way of life."

Some teens have told Mrs. McCune that following her advice hasn't been easy, but they're trying. By having them perform acts of kindness on a daily basis, she hopes they will continue to grow as Christians after their Confirmation and realize that service shouldn't seem a chore.

"I don't want to be an inhibitor. I want to be a supporter, an encourager," she said.

Menu of options

Our Lady of Mercy Church in Colonie offers teens several opportunities to perform service in preparation for Confirmation, according to Irene Rainville, assistant director of faith formation.

They may choose to be involved as lay ministers during Mass -- a youth liturgy is celebrated every fourth Sunday of the month -- or as catechists in the religious education program. Others can volunteer at such places as the Regional Food Bank or a local nursing home.

Some of the 38 students in this year's Confirmation class already are involved in service through school or with their families. For them, it's not so much a requirement as it is a way of life.

Part of identity

"It should be part of who they are as people," Mrs. Rainville said. "Our feeling and our hope is that it's part of their identity."

Teens preparing for Confirmation seem to enjoy performing these acts of service, and Mrs. Rainville can't help but notice how positive their outlook becomes.

"It really helps their self-esteem," she said. "It gives them a sense of self-worth, and usually they're quite proud to be able to do something to help others."

Fair deal

Confirmation candidates at Christ the King Church in Westmere can learn about service opportunities by attending a "Service Fair" in the autumn. The event brings together lay ministers from the parish as well as people from groups outside the parish to discuss ways in which teens can serve others, according to Nancy Paino, pastoral associate for faith formation.

Often, candidates have been performing acts of service before they've begun their Confirmation preparation; one example is an annual "Meat and Mittens Drive," in which candidates collect food and clothing for the homeless.

"We look at service as part-and-parcel of living the Church life," she said. "Our goal is to help to delve a little more deeply and to look at this as a response to a baptismal call."

During their Confirmation preparation, teens keep a journal and reflect upon what it means to live a Christian life, Mrs. Paino pointed out. They're also encouraged to become active in the prayer and worship life of the parish through liturgy.

Being a Christian

At St. Augustine's parish in Troy, Confirmation candidates participate in such projects as providing food and clothing at First Presbyterian Church or acting as teacher's aides in St. Augustine's religious education program.

Although there is an emphasis upon service as teens prepare for Confirmation, they are urged to participate in service-oriented activities before then, according to Dana Schmidt, coordinator of religious education.

"We try to explain to them that it's part of being a Christian," she said. "If you're excited about it, then it won't seem like a burden."

She also finds that teens often are willing to stay involved in the parish after they've received Confirmation by helping out with Confirmation retreats or by becoming catechists.

(03-19-98) [[In-content Ad]]