April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
PARISH LIFE
Teens lead peers in talks on faith
One event showed young people techniques for defending their beliefs in the public square; another, a series of talks, allowed Christians of different denominations to share opinions on controversial social issues.
Both teen leaders saw value in gathering high school and college students to talk about religion - and doing it with peers at the helm.
VOORHEESVILLE
"A lot of people think, 'I'm young; I'll get right with God later,'" said Kimberly McQuade, 17, who organized several evenings of reflection at St. Matthew's parish in Voorheesville. "But you should always make sure you're living life to your best [ability] now."
Kimberly, who attends both St. Matthew's and Bethlehem Community Church in Delmar, felt like her community lacked ecumenical activities for teenagers.
"I knew a lot of people who were interested in religion, but weren't going to church with their parents," she said. "[Some Christian] people think they're better than others. At the end of the day, we're serving the same God and we all have the same hopes and dreams and goals."
About 10 teens from area churches came to her first two sessions, which she thought would be worship nights with music, videos and prayer, but "took a different path."
Instead, participants discussed topics like evolution, abortion, same-sex marriage, humanity's power over animals and more.
"I think some of [my friends] had an eye-opening experience. It was good to introduce people to different concepts so people could think and have their own opinion. It showed me how many teens don't know what they want," Kimberly said. Also, "It allowed them to pause for a minute in their busy lives."
Kimberly hopes to continue the discussion group and add faith-based movie screenings to the evenings. "If this group can change one person and bring one person closer to God, I'll consider it a success," she said.
WORCESTER
Emma Tiner, 19, was tapped to lead a roundtable discussion for high school and college students at her parish, St. Joseph's in Worcester. A senior communications and technology major at SUNY Cobleskill with experience debating peers and elders on Church teaching, she aspires to be a pro-life lawyer.
Four other teens came to the event. Emma shared her experiences and encouraged them to speak up and choose the right opportunities for defending the faith.
"I've always wanted to be the person who says something" when people spread misinformation about topics like life issues, she said. "I love to argue - and a lot of people think that's a bad word, but it's a logical presentation of your points."
Emma usually prays to the Holy Spirit before she debates - "There are guardian angels in the room, and I keep that in mind," she said - and makes sure she doesn't get emotional and doesn't attack or alienate people.
"When someone's giving a presentation, they feel quite vulnerable, so you have to be careful," Emma said. "I try to think clearly and have a strong faith. The question you should always ask is, 'What is the good that will be accomplished [by starting this debate]?' And think about issues before they come up, so when you do get to that tough, divisive issue, you have a foundation to build on."
Emma warned her peers to respect rules, but not be afraid to challenge teachers or "call them on it" when they're being patronizing about the Church: "[Say], 'That's my faith you're talking about.'
"We're subconsciously taught, 'It's religion. I can't bring it up in a serious class,'" she said. But "would you have a problem speaking up about slavery or other injustices?"
Emma, who was homeschooled, is constantly researching issues close to her heart through the Catechism and through blogs by academics and theologians. She's also participated in a pro-life camp. She thinks it's important for young people to hear calm, pro-life arguments from peers.
"They are kind of at a place in their life where they're still deciding everything," she said. "They haven't been well-formed [and] they're still willing to have that conversation. If you let it go too much longer, they don't want to hear it anymore."[[In-content Ad]]
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