I have been watching "Designated Survivor" on Netflix lately. Since it was a broadcast TV show, there are several episodes in each of the 3 seasons. On Season 2, episode 10, the White House Chief-of-Staff character, names Emily, is having a conversation with a woman struggling between her religious beliefs and medical care for her daughter. In the course of the conversation, she asks Emily is she is religious. Emily replies that she went to 9 years of Catholic School.... then adds that she never found God there (or saw God there?).... I am sad now that I cannot recall the exact wording. I may need to rewatch to hear that conversation again. However, as soon as I heard the statement, I was stunned. I nearly cried. Yes, I realize that this is a fictitious TV show, but someone on the scripting team wrote those words. Likely from personal experience. I know I should not be stunned, as I read the research that has been coming at us for years now about the "Nones" who no longer affiliate with any religion. 20-25% according to Gallup (https://news.gallup.com/opinion/polling-matters/267920/millennials-religiosity-amidst-rise-nones.aspx) I have very close friends who went to Catholic schools elementary through high school, some even then in college, who no longer practice. One friends calls herself a "recovering Catholic." It breaks my heart. Barna research shared in 2018 that 13% of teens call themselves atheist (https://www.barna.com/research/atheism-doubles-among-generation-z/) I am also challenged by this. Emily's comment was about Catholic school. If a student can spend five days a week, for about 37 weeks a year and not have seen God present, how much harder might it be for those of us in youth ministries who may only get a few hours each month with the youth? Goal #1 for Catholic Youth Ministry is "To empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today" (Renewing the Vision, page 9). But to be a disciple, one has to know the person they follow. They have to KNOW Jesus. Not just know things about him. Not just learn about people that knew him. Not just believe that so long as I try to be a good person, I am a disciple. But to KNOW, encounter, feel loved by and develop love for Jesus. How are our youth ministry helping provide opportunities for this if the teens have not yet had an encounter of God's love through Jesus? And for those who have encountered Jesus, "youth ministry should always include occasions for renewing and deepening our personal experience of the love of God and the living Christ." (Christus Vivit # 214). Do we take the time, at least annually, to share "A Great Message for All Young People" from Pope Francis (chapter 4 of Christus Vivit)? Do teens involved at our parish KNOW a God who loves them? Are they assured that Christ as saved them? Can they feel that Christ is alive? And can they rely on the Holy Spirit to assist them? Do we share how God is alive in our own lives? Can we help the teens see God at work in their own lives today? Then help them to reflect on and articulate that to others? If we provide opportunities for teens to see a God that is alive and in their daily life, and if they can accept that "For him (they) have worth... are important to him...(they) are the work of his hands" (Christus Vivit #115), then they will have encountered God. They are on the road to being disciples of God in the world today. And hopefully, they will never as adults tell someone that they were involved at the parish but never found God there. They will have God in their own hearts, and have seen it in the members of the community.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
*** Note: The Office Blog is now inactive, but posted for continued reference as needed (6/30/21) ***Cindee Case, MPSFormer Director of the Diocese of Youngstown Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry (2/2002 - 6/2021) Archives
July 2021
Categories
All
|