Teens and bishop offer faith witness

Three youths from the Albany Diocese joined Bishop Howard J. Hubbard and 21 other bishops for a two-day forum during the recent National Catholic Youth Conference in Kansas City, Missouri.

Titled "Forum on the Voice of Youth: Shaping the Third Millennium," the sessions provided an opportunity for young people and the bishops to explore how the Church's ministry to youth helps young people develop a relationship with Jesus Christ.

The forum consisted of presentations, witness talks, reflection and discussion. It addressed the call to witness, the call to service and discipleship, unifying the Church, and the voice of youth.

Witness

Michelle Smith, a parishioner of St. John the Baptist Church in Valatie, and chairperson of the Diocesan Youth Council, was selected to give a witness talk at the forum.

The 17-year-old told the audience of 300 that at the age of 12, she was diagnosed with panic disorder which caused her to miss two years of school. After being on medication for over four years, she recently went off it, "and this trip was a test," she said.

To a mesmerized audience, she spoke of her desire to serve. "After receiving so much from people, I wanted to give back," she said.

Serving others

During a recent visit to a local cerebral palsy center, Michelle had a chance to do that when she worked with a 26-year-old woman named Mel who has a brain injury. The woman's goal was to get out of her wheelchair and ride a bike for the first time in seven years. With Michelle's help, Mel accomplished that goal. The teen spoke of the joy of sharing in that moment.

"Serving others has helped me with my problems," Michelle said. "And Mel said 'thank you' to me."

The teen also spoke of the responsibility all have to live out their baptismal call to serve and to proclaim the Gospel.

Bishop's story

Youth participants were impressed by the witness talk given by Bishop John Smith of Trenton, N.J., who told of a dark period in his life when he questioned all of his beliefs. While traveling with a friend, he shared his struggle while the two sat at a sidewalk cafe in Paris.

"I began to tell my story -- that I really didn't need God. I was expressing all the hurt and confusion I was feeling," Bishop Smith said. "He looked at me in a very simple way and said one line I will never forget: `I believe in Jesus Christ.' It was like I was hit by a thunder clap and a lightening bolt. I knew he had something different than I had. That moment, of his very simple, direct witness, changed my life."

Reactions

Carrie Boyd, a parishioner of Holy Cross Church in Salem, said of Bishop Smith's witness: "It was so real. It was so heartfelt. I was going to cry."

Michelle agreed, saying: "It's nice to see priests question, too."

Chris Homicz, a junior at Saratoga Central Catholic School, said, "Whoever thought this [forum] up knew what they were doing."

(12-04-97) [[In-content Ad]]