September - St. Augustine Catholic

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youth youth ministries profile youth-led ministries empower young people St. Matthew and St. Philip Neri by Shannon Scruby Henderson Traditionally, volunteer moms and dads have shouldered the hard work of coordinating a parish Vacation Bible School. But each summer for nearly a decade at St. Matthew Parish on Jacksonville’s Westside, the volunteers building sets, collating materials, planning and delivering a week’s worth of activities have been teens. Their labor is a gift to a faith community that has made youth ministry a priority. “I have a philosophy of holistic ministry,” comments Onie Lee, St. Matthew’s director of Religious Education and Youth Ministry. “Our program is yearround and fully integrated with the rest of the parish. Our whole program is about empowering youth to be part of the bigger parish community. They serve as greeters, ministers and ushers. When they leave for college or wherever, they’ll take this with them.” The connections are so strong that St. Matthew’s youth alumni often come back to help with service projects when they’re in town. “I really like the people and environment here,” says Jessy Rushing, who joined the youth ministry in sixth grade and is now (right) Onie Lee, director of Youth Ministry for St. Matthew Parish in Jacksonville took a group of teens to Black Mountain, N.C. in July for a summer rafting trip. SPECIAL MARK UDRY (left)St. Philip Neri parishioners are very supportive of their youth. Organizers of the new ministry include, from left kneeling: Heather Adams and Racheal White. Second row: Jan Zuccarell, Deanna White, Father Jose Paruvanani, Stephanie McGraw and Olivia Crooks. Back row: Deacon Richard Dugan, John Zuccarell, Kevin Lussier, Lacey Dalton, Samantha Lussier, Linda Lussier and Mary Ann Dugan. SPECIAL 22 St. Augustine Catholic September 2006 SA0906 layout.indd 22 8/4/06 8:39:14 AM
April 2006 • www.staugcatholic.org RETIREMENTS WORK LIFE p. 27 SPIRITUAL FITNESS p.14 FATHER JOE p. 8 the dead? THEOLOGY 101 p. 10 MARRIAGE MA TERS p.12 SPIRITUAL FITNESS p. 14 THEOLOGY 101 p. 10 a senior at FSU. “Onie has been a very big influence in my life. My participation here carries over to Tallahassee, where I’m involved at St. Thomas More. After what I’ve found at St. Matthew, it would be weird not to be part of a parish.” The St. Matthew model is not only empowering, but also inclusive. It has been unusually successful at bridging the gap between Catholic and public school students that is typical of many parish programs. At St. Matthew, boundaries merge as high school students from Bishop Kenny and Bishop Snyder, Paxon, Stanton, Ed White, Lee and Forrest come together for social times and service projects – many of them members of other area parishes. For one thing, they’ve been interacting since junior high. “Our confirmation prep is the best example of how we feel about inclusion,” notes Onie. “The kids from the parish school and the public schools all go through confirmation together. The high school kids, also a mix of public and private school students, do the retreat. They meet for three months before the date so they can put it on for the eighth graders. They do all the talks, plan all the activities, everything.” There is also outreach beyond the parish. Some St. Matthew youth participate in SPLUNGE, an urban renewal ministry that Onie helped introduce to the diocese. Others volunteer at Camp Promise for disabled children or attend the weeklong diocesan summer program called Youth Leader. “Kids want to contribute if you let them,” says Onie. “It’s our job to facilitate that generosity of spirit.” She notes the importance of Father Luke McLaughlin’s support and the way the parish has embraced the youth program. “I like to say that every parishioner can and should be a youth minister,” she says. “It’s that holistic concept again. If you see a kid in the grocery store, you can reach out and talk to them. Everyone has a chance to make a difference.” Building a Youth Network at St. Philip Neri Mission Several counties away, in the farming community of Hawthorne, 20 miles east of Gainesville, Linda Lussier is preparing to launch St. Philip Neri’s new youth program. Like Onie Lee at St. Matthew, she won’t be going it alone: “This is a youth-led initiative,” she says. “The kids will play a big part in shaping and defining the program.” Given the widely scattered population of young people in the area. Linda plans to use every means at her disposal to get the word out. “Technology is key,” she says. “I’m writing a grant to get a laptop we can use to send emails. It will also make us mobile. For example, we can plan meetings at a centrally located café and take the laptop with us to use for research and to record the minutes. We can take it with us when we travel, and we can even plan virtual meetings. With a secure space on Yahoo, we can connect to the group from their homes. The possibilities are endless.” Linda is also thinking outside the box about what it will take to keep teens engaged in the program. “The big thing we’re vying for is their time, between school and sports. The activities will have to include things they might not otherwise have the opportunity to try,” she notes. With a degree in recreation management, Linda’s personal preference leans toward physical challenges: rock-climbing at a gym in Gainesville, kayaking, and a rope course to teach team-building skills. There will also be a balance of service days and an emphasis on attending Mass on Sundays. “We want kids to participate in all aspects of the program,” she says. “As an incentive, points will be awarded for attendance. Those who participate regularly will get a big break on their fun day admissions. And at the end of the year, the high point winner will receive an iPod.” St. Philip Neri’s youth program will include ecumenical awareness and outreach. “We are open to kids of all faiths,” says Linda. “I want to get parents involved, to get them talking to their children about issues that are important to them. I’m not looking to convert, I’m just looking for kids to identify with their faith, whatever it is.” Like Onie Lee, Linda is grateful to her faith community for their support of youth. “Unfortunately, it’s more typical to prepare them for the sacraments, and then just set them free,” she says. “But here at St. Philip Neri, even though the population is generally an older group, they are committed to youth. We are extremely fortunate to have a wonderful, wonderful church that does value their children.” Email questions and comments to: sac@dosafl.com GIVE THE GIFT OF EDUCATION Help preserve the 85-year heritage of a values-based education at St. Pius V and Holy Rosary schools in Jacksonville. Sponsor a child and provide deserving students with a quality education. Flexible plans available. Call the Guardian of Dreams office at (904) 354-4788 or visit us online at www.guardianofdreams.org. AFFILIATED WITH THE DIOCESE OF SAINT AUGUSTINE catholic St. Augustine FROM THE BISHOP praying for the imprisoned p.6 EASTER RENEWAL catholic St. Augustine February 2006 • www.staugcatholic.org FRANCISCAN SPIRITUALITY how to become the good news of Jesus Christ p.14 ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAKS trading surf boards for power tools p.16 TREASURES OF THE CHURCH did Jesus own the coat he wore? p.8 how new Catholics enrich our parishes p.16 THEOLOGY 101 p.10 what is the Liturgy? MARRIAGE MA TERS p.12 how to resolve money issues pastors ready for new ministry p.24 WORK LIFE p.9 how to shift to being the boss By the Grace of God catholic One Lost Boy’s journey from the Sudan to America St. Augustine May 2006 • www.staugcatholic.org Jacksonville’s Carla Harris Wa l Street Banker, Recording Artist, Benefactor spirituality in the workplace the freedom of forgiveness did Jesus raise himsel from FROM THE BISHOP The Da Vinci Code fact or fiction? p.6 Catholic Schools liturgy of the Eucharist overcoming pornography closing the door of ignorance ADULT FAITH FORMATION opening yourself up to God p.16 ST. VINCENT’S HOSPITAL catholic St. Augustine July/August 2006 • www.staugcatholic.org FROM THE BISHOP attending Mass leads to a healthier marriage p. 6 ST. VINCENT’S CLINIC ON WHEELS ALZHEIMER’S treating the poor and uninsured p. 16 ANGELS OF MERCY a caregiver’s trial of faith p.16 FORGIVENESS restoring relationships p.8 CATHOLIC HISTORY from parish priests to florida missionaries p.7 celebrating 90 years p.24 Remembering our past, embracing our future parishioners spread their wings to help community p. 24 Katrina One Year Later St. Augustine March 2006 • www.staugcatholic.org Hope After Abortion CHURCH ETIQUETTE ULTIMATE GETAWAYS PROFILE St. Augustine Starting Over for One New Orleans Family Give the Gift of the St. Augustine Catholic With Christmas just around the corner, consider buying a gift subscription to the St. Augustine Catholic Magazine. Gift Subscriptions $15 wedding liturgies PARENTING JOURNEY p. 13 helping children deal with i lness SPIRITUAL FITNESS p. 14 are you dressed for the Lord’s banquet? p.6 refreshing the mind, body and soul p.16 who is Ernie Bono? p.24 embracing our crosses catholic June 2006 • www.staugcatholic.org catholic How three women found healing and forgiveness WORK LIFE p.9 establishing a purpose for your work PARENTING JOURNEY p.13 parenting even when you disagree A New Beginning SPIRITUAL FITNESS p.14 living out the spirit of martyrdom Discover how Ed & Ceci Birk saved their marriage Call 1-800-775-4659, ext. 108 Email: sac@dosafl.com THEOLOGY 101 p. 10 liturgy of the hours PARENTING JOURNEY p. 13 how to respond when your children lie WORK LIFE p. 28 do I need a personality transplant? help spread the faith! St. Augustine Catholic September 2006 23 SA0906 layout.indd 23 8/4/06 8:39:16 AM
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