This was the quote that I ended my last column with. I have chosen to use it as my lead for this column, as I see a connection between it and my focus for this issue.

Over the years I have been struck by many different scriptures. Of course this has changed over the years depending on where I am in my life. Most recently however, I have been focusing on two, John 6:1-14 and John 19: 25-27. In the first I am drawn to verse 9, "there is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish", and in the second, verse 26, "when Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved."

Traditionally, it is believed that the disciple was John, a beardless youth. In both scriptures we are witnessing the ministry of young people. I often tell confirmation retreatants, that it was the courage of a youth that followed Jesus to the cross. It too was the courage of a young person, who was willing to give of his loaves and fish.

In this year of 2005, I don’t see anything that is different. We still have the youth and I firmly believe our young people have this same courage. They are very willing to give of themselves for the sake of others. They truly are willing to make sacrifices for the good of society. So many times, I see the young people of our diocese giving in many ways, and I am very proud of them for this. I know too that as adults you see the same thing among our youth.

But please notice that in both cases Jesus did not leave the young people alone. He delegated the disciples to help distribute the loaves and fish, and he said to his Mother, "He is your son."

Our youth are wonderful witnesses of their faith and they face many ups and downs in this hectic world of ours. And they always seem to face it with much courage. But much of this courage comes from having key adults present in their lives, walking the journey with them. And yes, sometimes as adults, we too need to search for the courage to walk with and help guide them. So again, I invite and encourage you to answer yes to the call to minister in some greater way, to, with, by and for our young people and to trust in this powerful gift of the Spirit. Have Courage!