Religious Education Supplement
Creativity and caring lead to stronger faith for young people
Teenagers at St. Malachy Parish in Brownsburg participate in a youth ministry event on Oct. 30, 2009. Youth ministers across the archdiocese help pass on the faith to teenagers in a variety of ways. (Submitted photo)
By John Shaughnessy
Amanda Albarran knew that something was bothering the teenager when he approached her during a retreat on Catholic social teaching.
As the other youths lined up for the sacrament of reconciliation, the teenager shifted nervously as he told Albarran, “Amanda, I think I want to go to confession, but I don’t know how. I have not gone to reconciliation since the second grade, and I don’t know what to do.”
“I was humbled and amazed at the young man’s strength and openness,” recalls Albarran, the director of youth ministry for St. Joseph University, St. Margaret Mary and St. Patrick parishes in Terre Haute.
“After talking things through with him and advising him to simply be honest with the priest about his fears and insecurities, I watched as he walked into the room for confession and returned with a quiet peace about him and a smile on his face. That moment alone brought me hope for the future of the Church.”
Building a knowledge of the faith in young people and a future for the Church is a twin goal in youth ministry programs across the archdiocese—programs that often take a different approach to discussing and sharing Catholic beliefs.
“Youth ministers have to come up with creative ways to reach the hearts of young people,” says Kay Scoville, the director of youth ministry for the archdiocese. “They may not do it with a book or in a classroom. They find ways to be catechetical to the youth without them realizing it.”
When there were news reports of homeless people living under a bridge in Indianapolis, youth minister Annie Wolfley used that as a faith-building experience for the youths at St. Malachy Parish in Brownsburg.
“I decided to have a Shanty Town Retreat—a homeless experience—and use that experience to discuss components of Catholic social teaching,” Wolfley says. “We talked about poverty and shared stories of working with either Beggars for the Poor or soup kitchens.
“There was the realization for many of these young people that they were getting more in allowance or spending more going out with their friends than some people had for groceries. Many decided to start tithing to the Church when they realized how much of our funds go to help others, or they started giving of their talents or time to serve in the different outreach ministries we have.”
Social networking is another effective way to bring the faith to young people.
“Young people today are so integrated and connected to technology,” Wolfley notes. “One of the easiest ways to bring the faith to young people and to meet them where they are is by utilizing social networking to spread the news. I use it as a means of advertising, but at the same time I share Scripture, quotes and thoughts about our faith for them to openly comment on and discuss.”
Youth ministers also rely on face-to-face connections with teenagers. As the youth ministry coordinator at St. Mary Parish in Greensburg, Tanya Seibel has learned a powerful way to bring the faith to young people—through the example of her life.
“I’m 23 so I can relate to what our youths are going through because I was there myself not so long ago,” Seibel says. “I want the kids to see in me that you can be a fun, normal young adult who loves the Catholic faith. I am not perfect. But I hope that my strengths and my flaws can help the kids to see the love and forgiveness of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
She especially strives to show the youths how she enjoys participating in Mass—and how valuable celebrating the Eucharist can be in their lives.
Another approach to creating that personal connection involves food.
“One of my favorite things about ministry currently is what we call ‘Lunch Bunch,’ ” Wolfley says. “This is our high school faith-sharing group. We gather after noon Mass every other Sunday, and I fix them a meal. Afterward, we research and discuss a topic of the faith that they had picked out the previous time. These topics are typically basic Catholic beliefs that they need more clarification on so they have the necessary tools to talk to their friends about their faith.”
Youth ministers also frequently rely on retreats to teach and deepen the faith of young people.
“A successful retreat always has catechetical components as well as time for prayer, participation in the sacraments, reflection and fellowship,” Albarran says. “The catechetical component of youth ministry is the focus of the Terre Haute programs since the vast majority of our high school students attend public schools.”
Service trips are also effective in building faith in young people.
“When they’re immersed in their faith and live it, it comes to life for them,” says Scoville, the mother of two sons, 20 and 16. “I have seen that happen in both my sons. The bottom line is you have to meet these youths where they’re at.”
Youth ministers also agree that the best way to teach the faith to youths requires the commitment of the parish and the involvement of many adult volunteers.
“Every one of the adults and college students who serve as catechists in our religious education classes, as retreat team leaders and as guest speakers offer examples of faith in action,” Seibel says.
It’s all part of a shared goal for youth ministers.
“Growing up, I watched many of my friends leave the Church either for Protestant Churches or for a life without Church altogether,” Seibel says. “It was sad to watch because I knew how much the Catholic Church had to offer them if only they could open their hearts to see it. I hope my work as a youth minister will help prevent that from happening in the lives of the kids I work with.
“With all the constant change and struggles that youths face in the world today, it’s important for them to see that the Church can offer stability and comfort when they need it and can challenge them to grow as well.” †
