‘Win!’

By Steven Polley

Director, Office of Youth Ministry

Here we are in the heart of the spring semester. For students, it’s usually a tough time, because everyone is longing for that spring break that awaits them. I know that my youngest daughter is anxiously awaiting her spring break from this first year in college.

For myself and anyone involved in ministry we find that this is probably the most hectic and stressful time of the year. In our “Word Working” group the other night I shared that over the past few years I have had a little trouble entering into any form of Lenten Penance. I shared that it seems like we are so busy trying to get ready for different diocesan events that I fall into the trap of working too hard and not taking the time to focus and center myself on what is most important, and what’s important now. My guess is that others would agree with me. Here we are just finishing a TEC (Teens Encounter Christ) weekend, which took a lot of preparation time, looking to the High School Youth Rally which is next weekend, and of course I cannot count the number of hours of preparation that goes into this. More about the rally, with an invitation in a moment. Then we begin preparing for camps, etc. And too, all one has to do is take a look at their own parish. Preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation, graduations and in some cases summer mission trips. For all of us this truly is a busy time of the year. Probably a good reminder for me that I should step away and focus more deeply on this Lenten journey.

But too, as busy as this time of the year is, it can be a joyful and sad. It is joyful because I continue to see the joy in the eyes of many young people as they encounter Christ in new and meaningful ways. There is a true awe and wonder as they come to know Christ more deeply. But too, this can be a sad time as well. For it is this time each year that I begin to hear seniors make comments like, “this is my last high school rally”, etc. For seniors reality is starting to set in, as they begin to see the end, and for many an end of being directly involved in many diocesan events. I continue to work with several seniors, who began their ministry by attending summer camps as fifth graders. Over the years, they have been instruments and messengers of God’s word to many others, young and old. A prime example of this is Aubrey Hageman a senior from St. Anthony’s Parish in Fowler. Her ministry in the diocese and her parish has been a prime example of evangelization. She has always invited others to share in the experiences she as. Just last week at the TEC, Aubrey and several others, extended an invitation that brought five others to this encounter with Christ. What a powerful example of someone who has embraced her faith and the Body of Christ.

And the beautiful thing about this, is the fact that even though they are graduating, they will continue to be ministers to others. I am excited about what lies ahead for them as they move to the next phase in life. I can only imagine the impact they will have on college campuses. God truly is at work in this world.

Once again, it has been a joy to write this column and to continue serving in my ministry in the diocese. Because on a daily basis I get to witness the things that I have shared in these previous paragraphs. Today, I realized that this is my 100th column. So, 100 times, I have been able to share the joy that I have as a diocesan youth minister. And too, 100 times, I have had the opportunity to extend an invitation to you, to do more with our young people.

Just after our high school rally a year ago, I was a little frustrated because some parishes were not willing to send adult chaperones to be with the youth at the rally. To me this was very sad, because we have so many young people on fire for their faith, but adults who were unwilling to spend one night on a gym floor with them, to celebrate their faith together. Thus, I wrote a column about making a deal. Well, my invitation still stands. I invite you to come to our high school rally on March 24 – 25 and spend 24 marvelous hours with our young people. In return, I will be willing to do any job that you would like me to do. I believe that your reward will be much greater than you realize. My guess is that you will leave the rally so energized that there will be no job that I can do, that will come close to helping you as much as the time with the youth will.

Finally, I close with another invitation. I entitled this column WIN. This stems from a theme we had for our youth rally several years ago. Again this theme was from the wisdom of a young person on the Diocesan Youth Council. Another young lady with a deep faith and a natural way of sharing it. WIN – What’s Important Now. I ask you then, as our young people move through a spring semester and prepare for many changes as they enter the summer months, what’s important now. Could it be a closer walk with these young people on their journey?