A recent Pew Research Study examining the religious affiliations, beliefs and practices of U.S. youth and their parents found that teens’ observance falls behind their parents’ across denominations.
Jose Rodriguez, director of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministry for the Diocese of Camden, found the results “not surprising, unfortunately.”
But neither did he find the survey results discouraging. He and others who work directly with teenagers believe there are ways for the church to reach them.
To bring Catholic teens back to church, and to an understanding of their faith, Rodriguez said, “the church needs to invest young people, and be more open to them in leadership roles.”
He called on parish communities to “help develop and refine the talents of youth, and let them know they are loved, listened to, and that the church is their home.”
When this happens, youth feel empowered and find a sense of identity and place in the mission of the Catholic Church, he suggested.
Lori King, youth minister at Vineland’s Christ the Good Shepherd Parish, is proud that her community is involving the young church during Mass right now in the COVID era.
Serving at the altar is currently not allowed, taking away a role for youth. So, instead, her teens are learning the tools of technological ministry, and working on the parish’s livestreamed Mass feeds every weekend.
She tries to instill the youth with “faith muscles” to own their faith, and evangelize joyfully to their friends. As well, she has an “open door” policy for all youth events, held outside and socially-distanced now.
“All are welcome,” she said. “Youth group is a place where everyone is respected. We are all God’s children.”
Jeff Young, a longtime youth minister in Northfield for almost 30 years, believes that “catechism starts at home,” and wonders why parents who he once saw take their children to weekly Sunday liturgies now “let their children miss Mass.”
At the same time, he calls it incumbent on families and parish communities to teach the faith well — not just rote memorization of texts, but a faith that cuts into youth’s hearts.
“We teach them the prayers, but we don’t teach them how to pray. We have to teach youth to build a relationship with Jesus.”
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