Let’s make a deal

For myself it seems that the Easter season always draws me more deeply into the richness of the Scriptures. The readings that we hear during this time of year always give me a stronger sense of direction regarding youth ministry. As an example, we just heard Jesus say to the Disciples, "If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet." And later in the Gospel of John, Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves him and three times, Jesus says, "Feed My Sheep". Of course there are countless other times when the Scriptures invite and challenge us to give of ourselves for the sake of others. Each one in its own special way calls me to do more for our young people. And for this column, maybe the calling is to be a stronger voice, an advocate if you will, for our youth.

This is what youth ministry is all about, the opportunity for each of us to give of ourselves in some special way for the sake of each young person we know and meet. I would like for you to notice one key word in my last sentence, opportunity. Youth ministry is not only for a select few, it is for everyone, and if more people would accept this invitation to give to our youth in some way, I promise, many great and wonderful things will happen. For youth ministry is an opportunity for each of us come to know God in new and very special ways.

With the passing of our high school youth rally last month, I seem to be compelled to offer another invitation, and to some extent, a challenge for everyone in the diocese. There were 112 young people who responded "yes" to the weekend and oh, what a powerful weekend it was! Everyone was touched in many special ways. But the problem with this is the fact that we had several parishes who almost were not able to send youth, because they could not find a parent or an adult who was willing to come and serve as a chaperone. No one was willing to come and spend 24 hours with the young people from their parish. Many parents said that they were too busy. I wonder if it would have been an athletic event, would they have been too busy? I struggle with this, as I have trouble believing that there are parents who would say, I’m too busy, simply because they do not want to come and spend one night on a hard gym floor, celebrating our faith with 112 young people.

Thus, I invite you to play "Let’s Make A Deal" with me. The nice thing about this, is that you have almost 11 months to think about it and respond. It is obvious for whatever reasons many adults did not want to come and serve as a chaperone. Maybe because they just don’t want to, or maybe they think it is something that they would not enjoy. Whatever the reason may be, it is frustrating when our youth want to do something, and can’t because parents and adults are unwilling to respond to the Gospel message and say "yes." So, let’s make a deal!

You can pick one thing that you just totally do not want to do, and you can extend an invitation to me, to come and do this job for you. In return, you have to say "yes" to serving as a chaperone for the next high school rally. What I can promise you is this. You will find much more joy and a greater reward in spending these 24 hours with the youth, than you will by having me do a job for you.

My guess is that no one will take me up on this, and that is okay. But as you can see, I am a little frustrated that we have young people who want to become more involved in diocesan youth events, and adults are unwilling to give of themselves.

For all of you who give in so many ways, I say thank you. For everyone else, we can respond in greater ways, and together provide wonderful opportunities for our young people to come to know Christ in new and special ways.