Young people find calling serving at Family Masses

Valentina Gigliotti, an eighth-grader at Saint Rose of Lima School in Haddon Heights, is a dedicated Sunday Mass-goer with her family. In addition, she says the third Sundays of every month have helped bring her even closer to God.

Serving as a lector and music minister at the parish’s 5:30 p.m. Family Mass for the last four months, Gigliotti says she now has a greater appreciation of the liturgy and the Eucharist.

“I look forward to participating every week. By being present and able to preach about the Lord to my peers, I’m also growing closer to the Saint Rose of Lima family.”

Since the fall, Gigliotti, along with her fellow classmates and parish religious education students, has served a vital role at designated Masses during the month. Each week, youth of different ages are given the opportunity to take on leadership roles, which helps students foster friendships, learn more about the faith, own their own faith journeys, and share their gifts with the greater parish community.

At these Masses, “the youth feel loved, feel valued. They want to be here. They want to participate,” said Peg Hensler, the parish’s director of religious education.

The Masses operate on a grade-level schedule: third- and fourth-graders serve at Mass the first Sunday of each month; second Sundays are for fifth- and sixth-graders; third Sundays go to seventh- and eighth-graders; fourth Sundays are reserved for high-school age parishioners/school and religious education alumni.

These celebrations – which see almost 20 young people each Sunday take part as greeters, lectors, gift bearers and music ministers – are an extension of the parish’s mission “to strengthen the experience of the Mass, and the experience of the living Jesus,” said Father Dave Grover, pastor of Saint Rose of Lima.

Hensler added that in finding a personal encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist and understanding their role as missionary disciples, the youth are gaining confidence in the knowledge that they are important to the Church. Thus, they are more likely to stay connected to the faith, and “continue using their gifts to build the Kingdom.”

“They are leading with energy, and connecting not only to their peers, but to the community as a whole,” she said.

These liturgies aren’t just strengthening youth, she noted. As parents help their children get ready for their roles at Mass, these mothers and fathers “are being reminded that they are the first and foremost teachers of the faith, and that they are the ones nourishing the seeds of the faith at home.”

“The parents are also giddy, because they see how excited their children are to come to Mass. And we all know how challenging it is to get families to go to Mass,” Hensler said.

For the older members of the parish community, too, “who see the welcoming Jesus in these youth’s smiles and energy, these Masses make them so happy,” she said. “The youth have brought so much life and raised the mood of the Church. This is a multi-generational event every week, and the benefits of this just keep coming.”

For Gigliotti, she’s found excitement, friendship, and a calling every third Sunday of each month. “I feel empowered. I get to praise the Lord and share my faith with others.”

For more information on the Saint Rose of Lima Family Masses, or to have a child serve, contact Peg Hensler at phensler@strosenj.com or Mia Reich at miamusic310@gmail.com.