Teens lead joint Masses

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While many parishes focus on building community in their own congregations, parishes in the Schenectady area are thinking bigger.

In an effort to reach out to teens, reconnect them with the liturgy and introduce them to their peers, the churches in the Schenectady Deanery have been offering a series of five Masses for teens - with teens taking on leadership roles, as well.

On March 27, teens are invited to St. Madeleine Sophie parish in Guilderland for the fourth liturgy in the series. The Mass, though focused on teens, is meant specifically to bring families together.

"We just want to get teens coming to the liturgy on a regular basis, get their families involved and build a community," said Doreen Wright, faith formation coordinator at St. Luke's parish in Schenectady.

The Albany Diocese is divided up among about a dozen deaneries, or groups of parishes in a given area; the Schenectady Deanery includes about 10 parishes.

Extensive participation distinguishes the deanery's teen Masses: Readers, greeters, altar servers and music ensemble are all teenaged.

Donna Simone, pastoral associate for faith formation at St. Madeleine Sophie parish, praised the strong volunteer response: "We wanted to give them a chance to share their gifts and talents with everyone. And they're so talented, it amazes me - they're just looking for a chance to share it."

Teens will also do service work beforehand: bringing house plants to a local hospice and to the Glendale Nursing Home, and supplying baked goods for needy patrons of the Schenectady City Mission.

The young Catholics will also be able to socialize and hear about other charitable opportunities. After a light meal, the teens will join their families for the Mass at 7:30 p.m.

"We wanted to organize this liturgy to let teens know how valuable they are to us and let them know they are a vital part of the community, said Mrs. Simone. "We wanted to let them know the liturgy is theirs, as well."

To plan the Masses, said Mrs. Wright, "we went out and asked teens what they needed. They told us it would help if we could relate faith to current events, if they could show us what they're proud of about themselves and if they could invite their friends."

The teen Masses have been an important step for the parishes of the deanery, according to youth minister Dave Oakes of St. Paul the Apostle parish in Schenectady.

"We've worked together before, but this is our first big-scale effort of our deanery working together - and it's going really well," he said.

At a recent planning meeting, youth ministers, faith formation coordinators and deanery representatives shared ideas and encouraged each other.

"Through working together and everybody's effort, what it's become is amazing," said Mrs. Wright.

Terri Bouchard, assistant pastoral associate for faith formation at St. Madeleine Sophie, called the effort a "a give-and-take - but I'm new to this position, and it's been inspiring to see everyone come up with ideas to get the kids interested."

Said Mrs. Simone: "We get to share with the teens how they can live out the Gospel and that they can, in fact, make a change in the world."[[In-content Ad]]