A server at the St. John Paul II mission in Rutledge, Tenn., carries the paschal candle at the Easter Vigil this past April. Twenty-eight people received sacraments of initiation that night. Photo by Ashley Lodge.
The million-dollar question in Catholic ministry is this: How do we reach the youth?
The Gospel rings true in all ages, and Christ’s call to conversion and holiness exists today just as much as in years gone by, but still young people leave the Church in droves. A study from St. Mary’s Press in 2018 suggests that children start down the path of leaving the faith at just 13 years old.
Some leave over disagreements with Church teaching, but many young people just don’t feel there is a place for them in parish life.
“For Glenmary, it is important to evangelize our young people,” says Father José Carlos Miguel López, recent parochial vicar at St. Joan of Arc mission in Plymouth, N.C. “The lack of continuing formation after Confirmation is leading them to quit Church. Youth is a priority. We need to look at them and accompany them in their journey of life. The young people are more susceptible to getting trapped by the the lies and confusions of the society.”
Keen to engage this demographic, Father Richard Toboso and Father José Carlos began a youth ministry at St. Joan of Arc two years ago. Attendance ebbs and flows, but on a good day more than 20 youth attend the events.
“We have the Holy Eucharist and after Mass Father Richard or myself would share something about a specific topic, about encouragement. After the reflection, we play games and share the meal,” says Father José Carlos. “We intend to put emphasis on the values we hold as Christians, as Catholics. We specifically wanted to create a sense of belonging.”
Topics covered so far have included obedience, finding Jesus in daily life, the meaning of life, humans as a social being, and more. Father José Carlos says the most pressing issue, after obedience, is socialization. With the prevalence of social media, smartphones and other devices, many young people are wrapped up in their own small worlds.
“Most kids have no idea how to socialize due to too much technology,” Father José Carlos insists. “There is a lack of community. This is even a problem in their own families. Everyone is in their own world. We try to accompany our young parishioners by listening to them. Never to judge, but always introducing a God who is waiting for us to come back.”
Father José Carlos stresses that youth ministry is important, even though it isn’t easy. He is inspired by the brightness of his young parishioners and their insightful questions.
“It is hard to keep their attention for even an hour,” he admits. “It is also hard to get them to buy the idea that Jesus must be the center of our lives. Still, working with young people gives me lots of energy and hope for the future.”
This story first appeared in Glenmary’s Cultivate newsletter.