Something bigger

By Steven Polley

Director, Office of Youth Ministry

Usually as I begin writing my column, I am able to sit back and see how the Holy Spirit has guided me to the title and subject matter. This time is no different, but to me it extends deeper -- to the human level and the compassion and love that I find in this field of youth ministry. There are so many people whom I work with both locally and nationally, who have this love and compassion, and as you speak to them, you know that the Holy Spirit is alive and well in their hearts, minds and souls.

Today was no different, but to a larger extent a day that makes me proud to serve in this role as Director of Youth Ministry for the diocese and to be associated with so many other youth ministers.

As I opened my e-mails this morning, I saw one from Bob McCarty. Bob is the Executive Director for the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, in Washington, D.C. I did not need to look at the subject line of the e-mail, as I knew immediately what it was. I knew that Bob was sending his thoughts and prayers for everyone who has been affected by the Greensburg tornado. When I opened the e-mail I was not surprised to read just that, but that if there was anything the Federation or the Catholic Youth Foundation could do, to let them know. Once again the National Federation stood strong and fulfilled their mission statement, “Serving Those Who Serve the Youth Catholic Church”.

As I mentioned, I was not overly surprised to receive this e-mail as it was something that I have known all along. There is a strong bond -- support, love and compassion that runs deep with everyone involved in youth ministry. I have witnessed this on the diocesan level as well; I have received phone calls from youth ministers inquiring about when and how they can assist with any clean up efforts from the tornado. Thus, I have again been able to realize why I write these columns, even though they all seem to have the same message, just worded a little differently. And why I continue to extend invitations to everyone to do more for the young Catholic Church.

As I have mentioned so many times, the youth who become involved in different youth ministry activities, whether on the parish, diocesan, or national level, find themselves associated with people who love, support, and accept them as they are. Every time I see young people come together forming lasting friendships, I again realize the importance of my ministry, and I am thankful for the many people in each of our parishes who continually give of themselves for the sake of our youth.

But as always, there are youth who have not chosen to become involved. Thus, I feel that we need to continue taking steps to invite and encourage them to not only move deeper into their journey of faith, but to find friendships that are as strong as the faith in every person in Southwest Kansas.

This November, 65 young people and their adult chaperones will again be part of youth ministry on the national level, as they participate in this year’s National Catholic Youth Conference in Columbus, Ohio, where more than 20,000 young people will gather to celebrate their faith. We realize that NCYC is simply something that does not work for everyone, but like always, we must continue to invite and encourage all of our young people to become involved in our parish and diocesan youth events.

I thank you for responding to this invitation in the way you do.