|
DYMC Gets Rolling
The Diocesan Youth Ministry Committee (DYMC) had its first
meeting Aug. 22-24 at St. Mary’s Parish in Oskaloosa. The DYMC is a group of 18 high school students selected from all
over the Diocese of Davenport to promote youth ministry.
Five youth gave the meeting a special kickoff Friday night
by presenting a workshop on skills they learned this summer at the Christian Leadership Institute. Then things got a little
crazy Saturday morning as we spent a few hours playing games that helped us think creatively, work together and get to know
each other better. Most involved blindfolds, and all of them made us laugh a lot.
DYMC broke into six subcommittees Saturday
afternoon. Each subcommittee will focus on a certain aspect of youth ministry. The six subcommittees are the high school committee,
junior high committee, publishing committee, PAIN committee, stewardship committee and challenge committee.
The high school
committee’s main focus is the high school rally, which will be held Nov. 16 at the Coralville Marriott. After the rally
is over, the committee will focus on other ways to promote youth ministry to high school students.
The junior high committee
helps coordinate a rally for junior high kids. This rally will be held March 29 in Iowa City. The junior high committee will
also focus on ways to make learning about God more fun for junior high-age students.
The publishing committee is in charge
of writing articles for The Catholic Messenger, the diocese’s weekly newspaper, and will also promote the DYMC award.
The articles give information on what the DYMC members are doing, what youth ministry events are coming up, and other information
about our faith or just everyday life. The DYMC award is given to an adult and a student who promote comprehensive youth ministry.
PAIN
stands for Pre-Adolescent Initiative. This committee is looking for ways to bridge the gap between elementary and junior high,
because at that age students start to lose interest in their faith, and church no longer is “cool.”
The stewardship
committee not only focuses on how we should use our time, talent and treasure for God, but also is trying to find ways to
welcome diversity in the diocese as well as at the diocese’s events.
The challenge committee is focusing on having
teens challenge their faith. They are going to be helping teens be able to stand up for their faith and understand why they
are Catholic. This committee hopes to hold a Challenge Your Faith retreat sometime this year.
At the end of our weekend
we selected the members of the executive committee. Our chair is Liz Mastalio of Iowa City, vice chair is Ben Jones of Davenport,
secretary is Lorelle Brune of West Point, treasurer/historian is Jacqueline Vonderhaar of Ottumwa and the adult chair is Mike
Linnenbrink of Donnellson.
Our first DYMC meeting was very successful. All but two of the members are new
to the committee, so many fresh ideas were thrown around.
Our next meeting will be Nov. 15-16 in Oxford. On the 15th
we will set up for the high school rally. Then on the 16th we will help run the rally. Hope to see all of you high school
students there!
(Jacqueline is a senior at Ottumwa High School in Ottumwa and attends St. Mary of the Visitation Parish
there.)
This article ran in the May 22, 2008 edition of the Catholic Messenger. It says a lot about
what youth ministry is all about. We appreciate the gifts that Becca has brought to our diocese, and also thank the Messenger
for permission to use it here.
Youth activities gave me confidence, life skills
By Becca Kauble
 |
| Kauble |
In preparing to graduate from
high school, I have begun to look back at the person I was when I started high school and how I have changed.
When I think of my freshman self, the first word that pops in my head is “dork.” I laugh when I remember
how I thought I was so cool with my popped collar, denim purse and bubblegum lip-gloss. I also remember feeling really insignificant
and self-conscious. I was quiet and extremely focused on my social standing. I think my insecurities would have continued
throughout high school if I had not begun attending my parish’s youth group.
On Sunday nights I could go to the youth center and just hang out, talk about the drama and other things that were
bothering me, and worship the Lord with other teens just as dorky and confused as me. I was able to have discussions about
faith and to develop a truly personal relationship with God. Youth group allowed me to connect with God in a way I never had
in religious education class.
My involvement allowed me to experience a number of retreats throughout the diocese, which introduced me to teens from
across the state and nation who, like me, were connecting to Christ. At COR, I was able to see Christ in others and how my
relationships with my family and friends correlated to God’s presence in my life.
At TEC, I was able to adore the Eucharist for the first time and in doing so I developed a new understanding of the Eucharist’s
sacredness. At CLI, I learned Christian leadership skills that helped me to become a leader while maintaining my Catholic
identity.
At Catholics in Action I was able to selflessly serve others as Jesus taught. At NCYC I was able to worship God with 20,000
other Catholic youth from across the country and witness God’s love in every single one of them. I also met a number
of youth ministers who I could respect and relate to and whom encouraged me to deepen my faith.
In meeting those adults and teens and witnessing their faith, my relationship with God blossomed. I accepted the issues
I had to deal with in my life; whether it was classes, friends or family, I had confidence in God to get me through it.
I didn’t feel alone and confused. I began to speak up more; I wasn’t worried about fitting in. I just wanted
to be me. Today, I am a confident, happy Catholic young woman and I am so grateful that I started going to youth group. Without
the experiences I have had, I would not be the person I am today. It is my hope that all the youth in the diocese can get
the chance to experience youth ministry in their parishes, so that they can also grow into faithful young adults.
I believe that youth ministry is crucial to the church today and its future. Teenagers today face more issues and youth
ministry provides a place for teens to connect to God in a welcoming atmosphere. Religious education provides children with
the building blocks to develop into strong Catholics. I believe that youth ministry uses those blocks and allows teens to
build a bridge to an adult relationship with God. I think the sooner the bridge building can begin the better!
(Becca Kauble chairs the Diocesan Youth Ministry Committee (DYMC) and is a senior at Iowa City West High School and
a member of St. Thomas More parish in Iowa City.)
|
