Family is of central importance in ministering to youth, but so are parishes that are alive and vibrant, noted youth ministers who met with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., Feb. 5 at his residence.

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The two-hour meeting blossomed from a discussion Bishop O’Connell had with Diocesan Coordinator of Youth Ministry Rudy Gomez several months ago about a book – “Engaging A New Generation: A Vision for Reaching Catholic Teens” by Frank Mercadante – that Bishop O’Connell received in the mail.

Both Gomez and Bishop O’Connell read the book and found its subject matter insightful and encouraging, and Bishop O’Connell asked Gomez if he could distribute the book and bring together a small group of parish youth ministers for a discussion. Eight youth ministers were invited to join the Bishop, Gomez and Terry Ginther, executive director of Pastoral Life and Mission, at the Bishop’s residence on Feb. 5.

“Often times, when bishops gather to consider or decide upon priorities for their planning, an important list of topics surface: human life and dignity; religious liberty; marriage; evangelization and catechesis; poverty, and so forth. This year, it struck me that ‘outreach to youth and young people’ was missing from the list,” Bishop O’Connell reflected. “Who are we going to evangelize and catechize?  Who are we going to teach or preach to if the current and next generation of young people are not ‘pastoral priorities’ for us?  The ‘transmission of faith’ has been the focus of my attention since Day One as Bishop.  Are we reaching youth?  Are we holding on to youth?  Are we inspiring youth to learn and witness to their Catholic faith?”

While all those present placed a high value on religious education  and sacramental preparation in our parishes and schools, they likewise agreed that the real issue for the Catholic Church of the future is one of “engagement,” creating parish “communities” where the young are attracted and experience a sense of belonging and welcome. 

Several youth ministers said that young people need to “feel something” about their faith and about the Church. It has to begin early in their lives and it has to be affirmed and sustained in families where faith and witness are cherished and valued.  Family is of central importance but so are parishes that are alive and vibrant.

Some of their comments included:

“Young people want to be connected in a deeper way to their friends and even connected to adults in the parish who welcome them and care for them and of course to Jesus. Diocesan events like Kujenga, Splash, and the Diocesan Youth Celebration help teens understand that they are not alone in their journey.”– Roger DeLeon, St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton.

“This meeting provided a unique opportunity to share our parishes’ ‘best practices’ in youth ministry with our Bishop and with each other. This adds value and strengthens our efforts to engage young people at our home parishes.  We agreed that ongoing collaboration would benefit all parishes – those with strong young ministries and those working toward that goal.” – Kathy McBurnie, St. Catharine Parish, Holmdel

“Young people need the support of the entire parish community, not just youth ministers, to help them fall in love with Jesus and the Church. But how can we help make young disciples? The primary answer is family. Supporting families and partnering with parents is key since teens often take on the faith, or lack of faith, of their families. 

I also believe that no parish will ever have a vibrant and comprehensive youth ministry program if the parish itself is not vibrant and engaging. Although it may be cliché, it truly takes a village (parish) to raise a young disciple.” – Rudy Gomez, Diocesan Coordinator of Youth Ministry

“I am so grateful that our Bishop and the leaders of our Diocese put such a high priority on engaging our young parishioners. As we minister to young people together, I feel it is so important to do everything we can to help them (and their families) feel a strong sense of connection to our parish communities and Catholic faith. I found so much of the information presented in ‘Engaging a New Generation’ to be relevant to the success of reaching young people and their families in the Church today, both in youth ministry and all aspects of parish life. I would encourage anyone who walks with youth in our Church in any way to read it and share its message.” – Dan Waddington, St. Barnabas Parish, Bayville.

Before concluding the meeting, Bishop O’Connell asked the participants what he could do, what the Diocese could do to encourage outreach to and engagement of young people in our parishes. 

The response was unanimous:  “Whatever you can do to invite our pastors and parish priests to get involved with youth ministry with us would be the most important thing you can do.”