Youth Ministry Status Report.

Youth Ministry Status Report.

Hello everyone!  Hope you are all keeping warm and blessed in this cold wintery season.  I wanted to write to the parish community with updates on the ministry, reflections, and some practical steps I think we could take to move forward.  Viva l’alto!

Where we’re at now.

Progress with youth ministry has been slow-going. There’s been a lot of good foundational work with the middle school and young adult ministry, however high school ministry has continued to lag behind.  As a ministry we're lucky to get six students at a meeting.  More importantly, at mass we see very low attendance and participation within this age group.

I find this discouraging.  After much brainstorming, prayer, planning with volunteers, and networking with other professionals in the area, what exactly is the problem?  How can we practically move forward?  Simply hoping for students, youth, young adults to return does not work.  There must be something we can do to create a sustainable ministry and move it forward.

The problem.

The first issue could be that the ministry is new.  I'm new, volunteers are new, and we're trying a new comprehensive approach set forth by our conference of Catholic Bishops.  Sometimes with programs trying to “break new ground” it takes some time before it catches on.

The second issue would be an area-wide/cultural devaluation of spirituality and God.  There are many good people who love God, want a relationship, but don’t go to Church.  They don’t want a community to be apart of or have been hurt by the community and don’t want to return.  There are also people who are committed but when a schedule conflict arises, the first thing to drop is Church and God.  This is especially true with extra-curriculars, and society makes it worse by penalizing the student or family when they do miss a practice or rehearsal.

The third issue revolves around I don’t feel we as a Church system/organization are doing enough to reach students and effectively include them in all areas of Church life.  We’re not intentionally leaving them out, but are we doing enough to draw them in and help them feel welcome?  Especially with young adults.

Hope and the way forward.

Looking at Elmira and the 2010 US Census Data we can get a quick snapshot of the demographics of our area.  36.9% of Elmira are age 25 and under.  The next largest segment, 29.7%, are those aged 25+.  The number of students on the parish database grades 6-12 is over 900 students.  Wow!  You might not believe it, but the data is there…I would encourage you to fact check this.  This means is that there is alot of hope and potential in this city!  Now is the time to ready ourselves spiritually and personally, and get involved in the work of rebuilding our Catholic culture.  We’re all in this together.

So what can we do?

First, we need those who are coming to church to be a visible presence of their Catholic faith in the world.  We are all called to share the Gospel and it’s not enough to simply live it.  We have to live and explain our faith.  In any healthy relationship there is communication and action.  Let’s live and talk about our faith!

Second, we have to do everything with excellence and make everything beautiful: from catechetical programs, liturgical & music ministries.  When people come to mass especially for the first time, if they can leave with a “wow that was beautiful” experience they will be more likely to return.  Let’s focus on the beauty of our faith!

Third, we need to encourage and promote relationship building intergenerationally within our communities.  When new people or teens come to mass, let’s make a point to say hello and step outside ourselves to connect with new people in our community.  Empowered by the Eucharist, anxiety will decrease and our communities will come together.  Let’s say hello to new people!

Fourth, we need to use the new media and connect to people where they connect.   It would be really helpful for our Catholic cause to use Facebook, Twitter, and an up-to-date website to pass along information.  Encourage your parish staff to do so.  Let’s not all become Facebook friends (although we could!), but let’s each witness our faith online and offline. 

Finally, and this is very heartfelt, we need those who have never lectored, altar served, been an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion to give it a try and be involved.  The age bracket I’m speaking to is those aged 25-50.  Your visible witness by serving alongside those who are already serving will be a powerful witness.  As a parish staff we have to make sure there is room for you, but consider this your formal invitation.  Let’s get involved together!  Talk to a staff person today or this week!

You the people are the hope for the Catholic Church in Elmira.   This is a wonderful time to be Catholic and the work of the Church is exciting and beautiful.  May we all have the opportunity to experience it!  

Mary Mother of the Church, pray for us as we rebuild!

-Ryan