April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
Social events help youth get to know one another
"We had a youth Mass and a youth dance, and it turned out well," said Kali Burke, a 17-year-old parishioner at St. Mary's.
Rebecca Kopec, also a 17-year-old from St. Mary's, agreed that the Mass and dance were a success, and pointed out that the parish community has hosted other events for parish youth and their families that were successful, including roller-skating and a bike hike.
Unity
The young people say that parish-sponsored social events are important. "We meet people from other parishes who share the same faith," explained Rebecca. "It gets you involved in the Church."Kali agreed, saying, "It brings people together and makes Church fun -- not so blah, not boring."
Ann Carusone, coordinator of youth ministries for the parish, said the social activities offered by the parish "show the young people that the Church is the people, not the building. Church doesn't have to be a structured institution. They can have fun while they're worshiping."
Involvement
While the parish's youth ministry team has been working for only a year, they have already sponsored several events that were popular with both the youth and their families. In October alone, for example, they had a family roller-skating party and fall bike hike, as well as the youth Mass and dance. The latter also included the youth of another Fulton County parish, St. Francis of Assisi in Northville."The events are open to all youth of the community," Mrs. Carusone said. "We encourage them to bring their friends."
There is a need in the community for the social events sponsored by the parish, Mrs. Carusone explained, because "other than school activities, there isn't anything else out there."
Youth and adults
The family events, which have been popular with both the young people and their parents, "bring them together as a community," she continued. "They see adults as kids at heart, and we become human."Adults can also learn from the youth. "It has enhanced my faith working with young people," Mrs. Carusone said. "I see their vitality and see their faith blossom. It's the most rewarding age group. It's challenging at times, but the rewards are ten times over."
The social events also help bring down barriers that can exist among the youth of the parish. Mrs. Carusone said the parish serves two rival school districts. Religious education programs can be a challenge since the young people don't know each other well, a factor that can inhibit discussion.
"Having social activities allows you to see people in a different setting," said Rebecca. "It's more of a chance to socialize."
Youth planning
The involvement of the youth in planning the events is central to their success. Currently, four young people sit on the eight-member youth ministry team."It's critical that they get on board," Mrs. Carusone said.
"The youth pretty much do the planning," Kali said. "They're the ones who get everyone's attention. Then adults and other kids will get involved."
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