Finding our Identity

Now that program is on a two week break for Christmas and New Years, I’m taking the time to put our New Year Series and Lenten Series together. When the teens come back we hope to help them find their identity. What are the obstacles in their life that prevent them from finding their identity? What’s the purpose of discovering who they are? We hope that this series sets up our Lenten series Get It Together (Adapted 40 Days of Community) where we will encourage them to take their talents and gifts that God has given them to work together to change the world. We are hoping that these two series launch teens to get into small groups and we look to launch our Sunday Morning Ministry program.
I had a discussion with Tom last week where we discussed how sometimes the youth may feel disconnected in the parish. Part of this is due to the fact that we examine different subjects in small groups and large group program from what’s going on in the sanctuary. The reason we sometimes do not follow what’s going on in Mass is because there are certain subjects (sex, suicide, bullying, etc) that aren’t covered. We came to the conclusion that this isn’t necessary all the time but when a big campaign like during our Lent, Stewardship and Advent series that it’s important to unite the whole parish. I don’t know if I’ll ever figure it out, but I feel positive things are happening in the high school program…middle school has taken off already, but high school is getting there. Just have to stay focused on God’s plan.