Young adults discover Renew 2000

Young adult involvement in the Renew 2000 process was the focus when a dozen representatives of the 18-35 age group gathered recently at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Albany.

Led by diocesan Renew 2000 coordinator Kathy Menard and Tom Frieburg, campus minister for Union College in Schenectady, the group learned about Renew ministry opportunities available to them, discussed the schedule of the Renew process to begin this fall and broke into small groups for a taste of what a Renew small faith-sharing group would be like.

The diocesan Young Adult Commission helped to sponsor the gathering.

God in lives

"We're talking about our experience of God in our lives, our experience of holiness, and learning what God really is," Dr. Menard told participants. She called Renew 2000 a "delivery system" to make that experience more accessible to Catholics in the Diocese.

Several young adults said that they came to the meeting to learn how Renew materials could be used in the faith-sharing groups they have already established at their parishes.

"We've struggled with finding resources," said Gus Ribiero of St. Vincent de Paul parish in Albany. "Renew works well for us. We have a vehicle now."

Maeve Finley of St. John the Evangelist parish in Schenectady, home to a newly formed faith-sharing group for young adults, said that Renew 2000 "is something I want to incorporate into my life."

Benefits

During the small-group discussion, several participants commented on their desire for more fulfilling spiritual lives, something that Mr. Frieburg said Renew could help to provide.

"We all make the journey alone, but we're all on the same journey," he stated.

Although there is not a separate Renew 2000 program for young adults, some members of the group hoped that participating in Renew could help their peers to become more of a community. Others hoped that Renew would make large parishes feel smaller, bring Christ into their lives more or help new faith-sharing groups to continue their momentum.

Themes

Lisa Dings of St. Vincent's remarked that her young adult group had a particular interest in social justice issues; she was pleased that Renew 2000 materials focusing on that topic exist. "I like the fact that there are all sorts of resources," she told The Evangelist.

A question-and-answer period sparked participants' ideas on distributing flyers in their parishes and using their own enthusiasm to draw other young adults to Renew.

"They're very focused," Dr. Menard said of the group. "They seem to have an understanding of the process, a commitment to it. They will be motivators."

(Contact the Young Adult Commission through the diocesan Family Life Office, 453-6677. Call the Renew 2000 office at 453-6646.)

(04-02-98) [[In-content Ad]]