www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Parish Life & Evangelization ByzanTEEN ByzanTeen Young Adults?

The success of the Metropolia's outreach to teens has created a wonderful problem---what to do with "teens" who move on to college, jobs and the next stage in life! At our most recent Otpust, Fr. Tom Loya, Sr. Celeste and I attempted to explore what interest there might be in a new outreach to young adults--18-25 year of age. Attendance and participation at the two events scheduled at Otpust for this age-group were encouraging. Some very good people are currently involved in brainstorming and gathering interested young adults to lay the groundwork for some organized ministry to young adults in the Pittsburgh Metropolia. So, I have two requests to make of people 18-25 years of age:
1. If you'd like to be "in" on the ground floor of this new venture, please email me--Jackcus@aol.com. If you can gather names and email addresses in your local parish, even better!
2. Start thinking out loud, in this forum or via email, about what you'd like ministry to young adults to look like in your local area (parish, campus, deanery, whatever) and on a national level. What balance of social, spiritual, charitable and educational activities? What topics to be addressed? What pitfalls to be avoided? Your input is vital and time is short.
Thanks.
Fr. Jack Custer

Fr. Jack,

Hola! I've done some (okay, plenty) of rambling about the future of youth ministry in our Ruthenian Metropolia in the thread "from Paralysis to Paradosis". Go ahead and read my comments there...I just hope that you're not an apologist for everything the MP (Metropolia of Pittsburgh) does, or have a thin skin.

As for the "success" of the Metropolia's outreach to the young, I think what is going is really in fact the expression of our youth to be recognized by the Church as what they are: fully part of the Laos of God. The ByzanTEEN Rally grew out of the teen's participation in the Otpust. And as I have said in the aforementioned thread, the Metropolitan Youth Commission was formed primarily to help plan the Rally.

Now, not only have we a ByzanTEEN Rally every 2 years, but a youth/young adult track to the Otpust. In addition, we have the Van Nuys Eparchial ByzanTEEN rally (to be held right here in Tucson next year!!) every year and WYD every 2-3 years.

So currently, youth ministry is forming, but is still in its embryonic stage with a few mega-events during the summer, and a few strong parish programs (keep an eye on Arizona, the 3 Ruthenian parishes are slated to have a few inter-parish activities planned. Also, things have really begun to "stabilize" in the youth group at the Gilbert parish) throughout the Metropolia. I would argue further that we still view youth ministry as an auxiliary to religious ed, in addition to being something that the Church provides for the youth (as opposed to something that is BY, FOR, and OF the youth themselves, and much of the success of the Orthodox in this area is due largely to understanding this and strong parental support and involvement). There needs to be a total "up-dating" of our vision, we need to come in contact more with the Melkites and the Orthodox.

But perhaps most importantly, our young people themselves need to come out from the woodwork. We their vision, love for Orthodoxy, and thirst for theosis. We absolutely need youth/young adult writers, youth workers, speakers, organizers, etc... there has to a "legit" youth movement of the youth that the young of our Church can really call their own.

The youth of our Metropolia really need to "connect" with each other more deeply and much, much more frequently. I think the "future" as well as the key to brighter present lies in sound, creative, concrete initiatives at the parish and inter-parish level. I've stressed over and over again the urgency of building up our "youth intelligentsia", but lemme also stress the fact that this movement will most likely be a quiet revolution.

The pen is mightier than the pierogie,

Darrenn

Darrenn, as usual right on. That's the point of my invitation to 18-25 year olds to speak out about what they need and what they have to offer. This is your chance to design the ministry you'd like to see our Church (that is US--all of US-) offer by, for, through and to young adults.

Other 18-25 year olds? Speak out, please!

Hello: Fr. Jack, just sayin Hello

From: Daniel H.
In The Theotokos

Dear Jackcus,

As a former religion teacher, I can say that it is important for us to listen to our young people and make them feel so comfortable with us that they are not afraid to ask us questions on what is important to them.

I miss those experiences and what you've done is rekindle a desire to pick up the religion teacher's mantle once more . . .

Alex

In one form or another I've had very thoughtful, challenging and constructive replies from about thirty Byzantine Catholics between the ages of 18 and 25. Your comments have been "woven" into a presentation that will go to our Hierarchy later this month.

Thanks for seizing this opportunity. Please, everyone, pray for the success of whatever venture the Bishops will approve.

On that note, I'd consider this thread closed.
Konec i Bohu slava!
Fr. Jack Custer

Bless me a sinner, Reverend Father!

All the best in your endeavours!

But I hope you don't consider this "Custer's Last Stand."

God bless,

Alex

Will there be any teens or young adults going to the seminar in Pittsburgh this weekend or Notre Dame on the 11-12th?

For the link to the Notre Dame seminar:

http://www.notredamecollege.edu/about_ndc/Exhibits_Events/eastern.htm

Notre Dame College in South Euclid, Ohio, that is.

I forgot to mention, the Notre Dame conference is only $10 for teens or college students

"As a former religion teacher, I can say that it is important for us to listen to our young people and make them feel so comfortable with us that they are not afraid to ask us questions on what is important to them."

Alex,

It was nice to see a number of teens at the Notre Dame conference. One delegation of intelligentia came from Benedictine High School here in Cleveland bringing with them thought-provoking questions for our guest speakers. It is events like these that we should invite young minds to.

Good to see our seminarians, profs and admin. from the seminary too.

Dear Cantor Joseph,

Everyone should be congratulated!

I left active (and voluntary) teaching of religion at the school I was at because the Principal (not the students) disagreed about the subject matter to be discussed.

Things came to a head when another teacher at the school asked me to speak with her sister, about to become a Jehovah's Witness.

The Principal hit the roof and gave me what-for.

I spoke with priests about this, and they all told me to go ahead to speak to the woman, despite what the principal said.

I wanted to teach religion there more than I wanted to do anything else at the time and was afraid of open confrontation. I didn't speak to the person and the confrontation occurred anyway -resulting in my resignation.

I guess what I want to say is that courage is always required in working with our young people and I failed in this regard at that time.

Alex