Teens learn how to read Scripture

"You're being bashful," said Shirley Kelter, a facilitator, gently chiding the roomful of teenagers. She asked again what they wanted to learn about the Bible.

Eventually, one teen raised his hand to ask why certain elements of the four Gospels were different. His question was followed by one proposed by 14-year-old Keith Westerling of St. Mary of Mount Carmel in Gloversville: "What was real in the Bible -- and what was just a story?"

The teenagers, from 28 parishes across the Albany Diocese, came together March 29 for a Youth Engaging Scripture (YES!) seminar at St. Matthew's parish in Voorheesville. Developed by publishers at St. Mary's Press, the program trains young people in the art of "lectio divina" and empowers them to start YES! programs in their own parishes.

Youth and Scripture

In the parish-based YES! program, six to eight teens gather weekly in order to work through a modified version of the ancient tradition of lectio divina: reading, meditation, prayer, contemplation and action.

Students either utilize the weekly Gospel or pick a topical Bible passage that addresses and confronts teens' concerns regarding such issues as abortion, betrayal, gossip, war and responsibility.

"The Bible is very confusing," admitted Gale DellaRocco, 16, of St. Matthew's parish. "I wanted to know how I'm supposed to interpret it and see behind the words. I wanted to know how to go outside the box."

Enhances liturgy

The YES! program can be particularly useful for teens like Gale, according to coordinator Dennis Kurtz. He believes that students who participate in weekly Bible study are far more likely to be involved with and understand liturgy.

"Lectio divina is portable," he explained. "They can do it with their families and take it with them to college."

At the March 29 session, he explained the process of lectio divina through a series of questions: "Can I get out of my head and come to live in my heart?" "Can I cultivate the ability to listen deeply, even when there's so much bombarding me?" "How does this Scripture connect with my life?"

Teen input

At one table, teens shared preparatory essays, art projects and poetry that they had brought with them in anticipation of their first practice session. It was a reading from Paul's letter to Timothy regarding being true to one's faith:

* Ed Gavin, 15, of Our Lady of the Assumption parish in Latham, called himself a "doubting Thomas" and held up a series of questions he had written about how that reading could be compared to attending the YES! workshop.

"Other people thought they were too cool for the workshop, but we're here because we want to be here," he began. "What does the reading tell us to do with our gifts? First off, everybody here has the gift of not being shy -- because we're all here."

* Sarah Lackner, 15, from St. Vincent de Paul Church in Albany, confessing that she "wasn't really an artsy person," read an essay in which she compared Paul's exhortation to "be brave" to today's teens' quest to be honest about faith to others.

"God is with us and never forsakes us," she read. "Sometimes, we find it hard to be faithful; but in these times, we need our faith more than ever."

All seasons

At another table, teens meditated on a famous passage from Ecclesiastes, discussing what it meant to have "a season for everything and a time for every purpose unto heaven":

* "I thought that it was always 'a time to embrace,'" said 16-year-old David Bedard of St. Clement's parish in Saratoga Springs, referring to Eccl 3:5. "I guess sometimes you need to be alone."

* Katie Garavelli, 15, a parishioner at St. Mary/St. Paul's in Hudson Falls, said the passage "is the best one I ever read. Everyone can relate to something in this. It helps you know that everyone's going through the same thing. It tells you that it's not just you."

Take-home assignment

The teens, attempting to take three minutes in quiet meditation, began to giggle as the noise level from other tables increased.

"This is hard," said Lori Pinto, 15, of Blessed Sacrament in Albany.

Their group leader, youth minister Mary Jean Willis from St. Mary's parish in Coxsackie, agreed. "Try it at home," she advised. "It's very difficult with noise around you. But always know that God is challenging us to go a little farther. He is always calling, 'Come, follow me; come, be with me.'

After the Congress, the teens envisioned returning to their parishes and beginning weekly gatherings after Easter. Peer leaders registered to receive periodic e-mails and personal support from the YES! coordinators at St. Mary's Press, staff members from the diocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, and their parish-level adult mentors.

"When you and your friends come together as a community around the Word of God," Mr. Kurtz told the teens, "wonderful things will happen."

(4/3/2003) [[In-content Ad]]