Teen heads parish blog

Shannon Luibrand thinks that the internet can be a powerful tool for evangelizing Catholic youth.

The 16-year-old parishioner of St. Edward the Confessor in Clifton Park is putting her belief into action by editing "Teen Spirit," her parish's youth weblog. The "blog" explores issues important to young Catholics.

According to Shannon, young people turn to the computer for information in many areas of their lives. Thus, she believes that parishes should have a presence on the internet.

"Youth are on the computer all of the time," said the Shenendehowa High School student. "Adults and kids get emails constantly."

The youth blog, Shannon explained, grew out of a parish blog edited by Fran Rossi Szpylczyn (to read a previous story on it, search for her name at www.evangelist.org). The parish blog has four contributors and has been visited by 3,000 viewers, including people in England and Australia.

Given the popularity of that blog, Shannon was asked to edit one for youth. She added that duty to a roster that includes serving on St. Edward's parish council, helping to found the parish youth group and being part of the music ministry; she's also on her school's softball and field hockey teams.

Her blog posts are connected to her life experiences. Recent entries have dealt with forgiveness, control, peer pressure and answering God's call.

"I try to find a topic that teens are interested in and connect it to our faith," she said. She finds inspiration from "my life experiences, reading the Bible, listening to a sermon or just hearing people speak."

Blog entries have sprung from spending time at an Episcopal summer camp, attending Spring Enrichment sessions and reading books. She has shared her experiences of being in a car accident, grieving loved ones and struggling with peer pressure.

Readers are able to share their thoughts on what is written, as well. Many of Shannon's entries have responses from other teens sharing their views on faith.

"I've only heard positive responses so far," Shannon noted.

While some young people respond to the blog online, others have spoken to her at school or during youth activities at St. Edward's.

"I'm writing from my own experiences; I think people appreciate that," she remarked.

Although some young people might feel awkward about sharing their faith with others, Shannon encourages them to work through those feelings. She tells peers: "I don't think we should be intimidated."

Mrs. Szpylczyn has been impressed with her fellow blog editor -- and with the responses from young parishioners.

"This young woman is very talented and filled with the spirit," Mrs. Szpylczyn told The Evangelist. "Her words to her peers are quite remarkable."

Shannon thinks that other parishes should utilize weblogs to evangelize others. Her advice to other parish bloggers is to trust in God: "Put your heart and soul into it. God has a way of working."

Editing the blog is just the beginning of Shannon's future in ministry. She hopes to major in religion or theology in college.

"I'd love to work in a Church setting," she said.

(In addition to thoughts on faith, "Teen Spirit" also provides information on Christian music and videos that teens might find inspiring and events of interest to Catholic youth. To read the blog, go to www.stedwardsny.org and click on "parish blogs.")

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