Do we need youth and young adult ministry?

Monday, October 20, 2008

*Sr. Ondina Cortes

Looking back, most of us can say that who we are today is the result of experiences and decisions that took place during our teenage and young adult years. That is the major reason why the Church wants to be present in the life of young people today. Because the Church was there, many of our priests, religious — I for one — and committed lay leaders can trace back their vocational journey to youth ministry. I have been privileged to dedicate most of my life to this ministry in which I believe so strongly.

A few things have changed in this field in recent years with the publication of the U.S. bishops’ document, “Renewing the Vision.” The emphasis is no longer on having “youth groups,” but on “comprehensive youth ministry,” which includes a variety of approaches and programs to address the needs of youth and to ensure that faith formation is a priority.

Young people today face issues and have questions about their faith that I could not think of 10 years ago. That’s why the formation of those who serve as youth and young adult leaders is so crucial. Recently, working with St. Thomas University, we developed a certificate program to train competent ministers in this field.

Youth ministry seeks to help young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ and invites them to participate in the life, mission and work of the Church. But how do we do this? And what if we don’t do this?

In the Archdiocese of Miami, about 10 percent of our high school youths receive faith formation through our Catholic schools and religious education programs. The challenge of youth ministry (13-17 years old) is the other 90 percent, and for young adult ministry all those who are 18 or older.

What are our priorities in the use of our parish resources (time, talent, treasure)? What would we like to see happening in youth and young adult ministry? What are we willing to commit to this ministry? What if we don’t do this?

First of all, we fail to live out our mission of evangelization, since confirmation cannot be the end of their connection with the Church. In terms of the future of the Church, if we do our job well, before we realize it they will be leading our parish communities, celebrating our Masses, bringing their children to be baptized, making a difference in the world of politics, economics, science ...

If we don’t, some of our beautiful churches may turn into tourist attractions, as has happened in some parts of Europe. Most importantly, our world will lack the “salt and light” that can bring it closer to the Kingdom of God.

In addition to what we can do in our parishes, young people need to know that there are many more people of their generation who share their values and faith. Pope John Paul II knew this when he created World Youth Day. I have had the opportunity to accompany groups of young adults to World Youth Day on more than one occasion and can testify what a life-changing experience these journeys are.

Limiting youth and young adult ministry to parish boundaries denies our young community the opportunity to affirm and celebrate their Catholic identity with others in the diocese, nation and world.

Our upcoming Archdiocesan Youth Day Celebration — to be held this Saturday, Oct. 25 at the Miami Youth Center — is exactly about that. I invite everyone to join us and support our youth.

Sister Ondina Cortés, RMI
Director, Youth and Young Adult Ministry, since 1995
Became coordinator of Youth Ministry in Miami-Dade County in 1990
Professed as a Claretian religious in 1981

Comments from readers

Sister Ondina - 10/22/2008 12:00 AM

Jean,
It is hard to know what is happening in the case of your friend's son without more information. Saying he does not believe in God, could be a way out of having to go to mass, and an excuse for the bad grades; or he may truly be going through a faith crisis which is not uncommon in young people, specially older adolescents. Some factors that precipitate this reaction are the inability to explain painful experiences (death, illness, family breakdown), also religious apathy or the absence of models of faith in the family and the opposite: imposing religious practices. Young people some times go through stages in their faith, experts say they need to make a transition from a an affiliative faith to an owned faith. This confirms how crucial it is for them to be around the right people to explore these questions. A weekend experience such as the one that the movement Youth Encounters (Encuentros Juveniles) offers both in English and Spanish could be a turning point. In this program young people witness to their search for God and their struggles with the same issues that all young people face. I would also encourage him to join a youth group, stressing not the religious, but the social and "fun" aspects of the group and God will take care of the rest. I will have him in my prayers. Sister Ondina

Jean - 10/20/2008 12:00 AM

Sister Ondina. Thanks for addressing the youth issue which so often is neglected. I am asking those who read this to help me help a concerned parent I know. She has a 15 year old son who is refusing to go to mass on Sundays and has gotten bad grades in the religion class at school. When his mother asked him about it he said he did not believe in God. She has approached me and asked me if there was anything she could read to help her remain calm and address her son in a direct yet caring way. Peace to you all.

TANIA GARCIA - 10/20/2008 12:00 AM

SISTER ONDINA CORTES:
PAZ Y BIEN A TODOS.!!!
WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MESSAGE........ I WISH I WAS YOUNGER.......GOD BLESS
YOU SISTER AND PRAY A LOT FOR THIS NATION.!!!

Luis - 10/20/2008 12:00 AM

Sister,
Thank you for your insightful reflections. I agree that it is vital to continue growing in our faith after confirmation and into young adulthood. There is so much that our faith has to offer through the richness of centuries of tradition and history which all point to the Person of Jesus Christ. Having grown up in the Archdiocese of Miami, my friends and I had the benefit of Church led Youth Ministry. However, the Church can only do so much. I have seen the effects of of catechism which is not reinforced in the home on those around me. Many of my friends left the Church for protestant churches or worse. It is vital that parents who wish their children grow in the faith lead by example and make their homes a place that mirrors the teachings of the Church, a domestic Church.... Ministries for the youth which act in conjunction with other family ministries such as the Pilgrim Virgin are one way to foster �domestic church� life.

Jean, I am certain that your friend must be heartbroken over her situation. Often such problems are multifaceted and despite our best efforts we are given trials such as the one your friend has been called to endure. Sometimes professional help is required to determine the source of the problem. However, prayer and fasting with the intention of calling for God�s grace and mercy should not be forgotten. Also, the intercession of St. Monica, the child�s guardian angel or name saint could be utilized as part of the solution. Remind her that St. Augustine, one of the greatest Doctors of the Church had quite a �colorful� life before he became a saint.
vestri frater in Iesus
Luis
faithandreasoninmiami.blogspot.com/

Sister Ondina - 10/22/2008 12:00 AM: Jean,
It is hard to know what is happening in the case of your friend's son without more information. Saying he does not believe in God, could be a way out of having to go to mass, and an excuse for the bad grades; or he may truly be going through a faith crisis which is not uncommon in young people, specially older adolescents. Some factors that precipitate this reaction are the inability to explain painful experiences (death, illness, family breakdown), also religious apathy or the absence of models of faith in the family and the opposite: imposing religious practices. Young people some times go through stages in their faith, experts say they need to make a transition from a an affiliative faith to an owned faith. This confirms how crucial it is for them to be around the right people to explore these questions. A weekend experience such as the one that the movement Youth Encounters (Encuentros Juveniles) offers both in English and Spanish could be a turning point. In this program young people witness to their search for God and their struggles with the same issues that all young people face. I would also encourage him to join a youth group, stressing not the religious, but the social and "fun" aspects of the group and God will take care of the rest. I will have him in my prayers. Sister Ondina

Jean - 10/20/2008 12:00 AM: Sister Ondina. Thanks for addressing the youth issue which so often is neglected. I am asking those who read this to help me help a concerned parent I know. She has a 15 year old son who is refusing to go to mass on Sundays and has gotten bad grades in the religion class at school. When his mother asked him about it he said he did not believe in God. She has approached me and asked me if there was anything she could read to help her remain calm and address her son in a direct yet caring way. Peace to you all.

TANIA GARCIA - 10/20/2008 12:00 AM: SISTER ONDINA CORTES:
PAZ Y BIEN A TODOS.!!!
WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MESSAGE........ I WISH I WAS YOUNGER.......GOD BLESS
YOU SISTER AND PRAY A LOT FOR THIS NATION.!!!

Luis - 10/20/2008 12:00 AM: Sister,
Thank you for your insightful reflections. I agree that it is vital to continue growing in our faith after confirmation and into young adulthood. There is so much that our faith has to offer through the richness of centuries of tradition and history which all point to the Person of Jesus Christ. Having grown up in the Archdiocese of Miami, my friends and I had the benefit of Church led Youth Ministry. However, the Church can only do so much. I have seen the effects of of catechism which is not reinforced in the home on those around me. Many of my friends left the Church for protestant churches or worse. It is vital that parents who wish their children grow in the faith lead by example and make their homes a place that mirrors the teachings of the Church, a domestic Church.... Ministries for the youth which act in conjunction with other family ministries such as the Pilgrim Virgin are one way to foster �domestic church� life.

Jean, I am certain that your friend must be heartbroken over her situation. Often such problems are multifaceted and despite our best efforts we are given trials such as the one your friend has been called to endure. Sometimes professional help is required to determine the source of the problem. However, prayer and fasting with the intention of calling for God�s grace and mercy should not be forgotten. Also, the intercession of St. Monica, the child�s guardian angel or name saint could be utilized as part of the solution. Remind her that St. Augustine, one of the greatest Doctors of the Church had quite a �colorful� life before he became a saint.
vestri frater in Iesus
Luis
faithandreasoninmiami.blogspot.com/