GUEST POST: Are You On Parent Patrol?
I’m a relatively new parent. Both of my sons are under the age of 3. Even though neither are in school or religious education, I am blessed with an...
Who are our teens? That is a question I’ve been asked to answer at the parish, deanery, and diocesan level. Who are our teens? It is easy to respond, “those whose families are registered” or “those who come to youth ministry,” but I find something lacking in those responses. Often I find youth minister struggling to bring teens to their weekly programs or other big events. Today I would like to challenge you to visit your Catholic High Schools.
A native of Queens, NY, Paul has been serving the young Church in the Diocese of Brooklyn since 2010. Prior to working for the Diocese Paul served as a middle school teacher in Queens. Paul holds an undergraduate degree from St. Francis College in Downtown Brooklyn in History. In 2013 he completed his Master of Arts in Historical Theology from St. John’s University and more recently wrapped up a Masters of Science in School Building Leadership from Fordham University. Paul and his wife Alison have two children James Anthony and John Pau
Catholic High Schools are often an overlooked gem in the grand scheme of our ministerial lives. Whether they are diocesan, regional, or run by a religious order, these schools do what we as youth minister could only dream of. They journey with hundreds of teens on their daily journeys. Navigating academic, extra-curricular, faith opportunities, and the college hunt can be an overwhelming four years for teens. These schools strive to meet young people along the way. Which one of us wouldn’t want to be a part of this? However, I would argue, this is often an overlooked resource and partner where we need to:
Engage their Charism
Many of these schools have a unique charism or a particular virtue that they follow. How can you, as a leader, utilize that charism in the work you are doing at the parish? Maybe their charism is preaching (like the Dominicans), working with low-income families (like the Sisters of Saint Joseph), or minister to teens (as with the Salesians of Don Bosco). Tapping into these charisms can help make a connection with the high school to your parish program and make it more fruitful.
Connect with their Campus Ministry
Often campus ministry offices can be overwhelmed with their work. They run retreats, service projects, pilgrimages, prayer services. How can you help or support? Many of the youth leaders in our diocese help provide music for liturgies, assist with programs, give talks, run retreats. And the beauty is it allows us to meet teens in a new way, a way we may not have tried before.
We need to remember that we are all in this ministry together. We are all co-workers in the vineyard, trying to help teens get into heaven. Going at it alone will not bring as much fruit as if we work together. So, I encourage you, call your local Catholic High School. The experiences and results may surprise you!
How have you partnered with your local Catholic Schools, and what have you seen work?
A native of Queens, NY, Paul has been serving the young Church in the Diocese of Brooklyn since 2010. Prior to working for the Diocese Paul served as a middle school teacher in Queens. Paul holds an undergraduate degree from St. Francis College in Downtown Brooklyn in History. In 2013 he completed his Master of Arts in Historical Theology from St. John’s University and more recently wrapped up a Masters of Science in School Building Leadership from Fordham University. Paul and his wife Alison have two children James Anthony and John Pau