Marian Helper Summer 2013

32 M ARIAN H ELPER • S UMMER 2013 • www.marian.org E ver since high school and college, I have had a desire to share the Gospel with young hearts, with children and youth. Now, as pastor of one of the Marians’ Midwest parishes, the Lord gives me the opportunity every day to share the Gospel with young hearts, especially with the high school youth of my parish. I recently shared with one of our devoted volunteers, Micaela Resendez, about some of the ways we approach youth ministry at St. Mary’s in Plano, Ill., especially during this Year of Faith. Here’s a snapshot of our conversation: Fr. Andy: First, let’s talk about some of the basic dynamics of St. Mary’s youth ministry. Micaela: I think a key principle that has helped us quadruple the number of youth at our regular meetings is the importance of lis- tening to them. What are they hungry for? What would they like to do? By listening to them, we have built a program around what they are looking for. The kids have responded in some beautiful ways. Fr. Andy: One of those beautiful ways is how the youth voiced a desire to learn the Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church (YOUCAT) . I was a little hesitant because no one had created a study guide for the YOU- CAT . But since they insisted, I said, “Well, I’ll just have to create our own.” The kids have responded well. Micaela: One thing that has grabbed their attention in this YOUCAT study is a balance of learning and goofiness. The youth respond well to mixing the two. Remember the soup? Fr. Andy: I blew up soup to prove the point Pope Benedict XVI made beautifully in his fore- word to the YOUCAT. Pope Benedict said, “You need to know what you believe. You need to know your faith with that same precision with which an IT specialist knows the inner work- ings of a computer. …You need to be more deeply rooted in the faith than the generation of your parents.” I said to myself: “This is an awesome point the youth need to hear.” Then, this crazy thought came to me in prayer: “Blow up soup with concentrated baking soda and vinegar! Just like a chef needs to know exactly what he is putting in his soup (or it might blow up), a Catholic needs to know his faith intimately.” Micaela: They love learning about their Catholic faith and have fun doing it! Also, I think they enjoy the active role that you, as their pastor, take in youth ministry. Fr Andy: I think this was lived out beauti- fully by Blessed John Paul the Great, who, as a young priest, would take the young adults in his parish on kayaking trips. We priests are called “father” for a reason, and we need to spend time with our youth. Playing Laser Tag does wonders for your credibility when you sit down and teach the awesome truths of our Catholic faith through YOUCAT or a Bible study. I’ve learned to never underestimate how having fun with the youth opens them up to growing in their faith. Micaela: It has been beautiful to see the young people grow in their faith. They are coming regularly to Mass and confession, are serving in various aspects of parish ministry, and are getting excited for this year’s Franciscan University of Steubenville’s Youth Conference. Fr. Andy: Whether it’s fun activities, the YOUCAT study, a Bible study, or the youth conference, our essential goal for all that we do is to help our youth stand strong in their faith — to experience the joy and freedom found in being Catholic! Us Between by a Marian and a Helper Working together in youth ministry Fr. Andy Davy, MIC, is pastor of St. Mary Parish in Plano, Ill. He joined the Marians after college and was ordained a priest in the spring of 2009. Micaela Resendez, a member of St. Mary Parish in Plano, Ill, has worked with youth and Hispanic ministry in the parish for about four years. Father Andy and Micaela share a heart for youth. C OURTESY OF F R . A NDY D AVY , MIC Back to Index