Outreach to the Hungry - a story

During mass today, Father Joe Porpiglia called up the children who were going to make their first Penance this year, along with any other children in attendance.

Upon dismissal of them, he asked them to process down the aisle, carrying the food donations from the congregation to the altar. Along with the Generations of Faith children, there was an extraordinary number of kids who were bringing up the food. It really was a sight to behold.

As the procession continued, I heard a small child behind me, Ashlynn, who was talking in her sweet voice to her mother: "Where are they going? What are they carrying?" Her mother whispered back, "they are carrying bags of food to children and families who do not have enough food to eat."

Her small voice persisted, "do we have enough food?" to which her mom replied, "yes, honey, we have enough food."

I thought this was so telling that even the smallest of the small in our parish was gathering the significance of this wonderful gesture of feeding those who hunger. And, at this small, tender age, she was questioning and wondering why.

We are so grateful to all who donate to those in need in our community and we thank you.

Agnes Smith
VP St. Vincent de Paul Conference at St. Benedict's http://bit.ly/f7egIy

Youth Ministry Leadership Training

Youth Ministry Leadership Training Program

Are you new?  Maybe you're looking for help and direction as you get started in youth ministry.

Or maybe you're not new.  Maybe you've been around long enough to begin to know what you don't know yet - and you're anxious for some answers to the important questions you've run into.

No matter which category you're in, you are invited to

Level I of the Youth Ministry Leadership Training Program. 


Level I covers the topics of:
Introduction to Catholic Youth Ministry
(including an overview of the vision of youth ministry, plus legal and liability issues) 

Who Are Adolescents Today?
(and how do they develop - physically, emotionally, morally, spiritually?) 

Relating to Youth
(how to connect with youth and still set appropriate boundaries) 

Building Community with Youth
(it's not just about the newest icebreaker!) 

Praying with Youth
(they'll go deep if we help lead them or let them!) 

Join us! 

Level I is presented in three sessions:
Thursday, October 27 - 6:30 to 9:00 PM (Intro to Catholic Youth Ministry)
Thursday, November 3 - 6:30 to 9:00 PM (Who are Adolescents?)
Saturday, November 5 - 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (remaining topics)

All sessions take place at:
St. Benedict's Parish
1317 Eggert Road
Amherst, New York 14226
(use the Westfield parking lot)

Download a registration form or contact Heather Hoffman for more details.

Hope in an Increasingly Faithless Culture

Hope in an Increasingly Faithless Culture

We’ve all heard the statistics. People (and youth in particular) are leaving the Church at alarming rates. It seems like the message of Christ’s saving power is either falling on deaf ears or teenagers feel that Confirmation is a graduation from the faith. I have struggled with the fact that at an ordinary Sunday Mass at St. Benedict, there is an unbalance in the age pool of people regularly attending. And even then, the youth aren’t the only ones to blame as I’m sure that if all the adults who claim they are Catholic really showed up, there would be standing room only (think Christmas and Easter).

            Many people have hypothesized about the reasoning for youth leaving the Church and others have spent time pondering ways of bringing youth back. I am unable to, at this point in time, express any consequential statement on either of those ends. Rather, this blog post is one of reassurance that in fact not all hope is lost.

I am not proposing that the statistics lie. I am not living on a cloud of naivety that says that there has not been a change in youth attendance in the Eucharist over the past fifty years. I am writing though, to state that I don’t think the Church is going to disappear anytime soon. There are still enough of us out here that will never, ever reject our faith and turn away from our Savior.

This August, World Youth Day was attended by approximately two million youth from around the globe, making this youth day in Madrid, Spain the third most highly attended. In November the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis will have about 25,000 youth in attendance. And even closer to home, this year’s Buffalo Youth Convention welcomed 720 teens to the Adams Mark Hotel in February. I was in attendance at that Convention and can say that it truly was hope-inspiring for the future of our Church… the teenagers present were excited to be there.  

As I write this blog post, I have just returned from an event on my college campus as part of the Crusade for Christ. “Cru” as it is better known around here, is a student-run organization that is exactly what it sounds like… a group of students that speaks of Christ’s presence through their words and actions. It is interdenominational, meaning that it supports a belief in Christ that is not necessarily pigeonholed into a particular sect or denomination. Tonight, we all met in the Student Activities Center (an old gymnasium from the ‘40s) and had an evening with food, music, and prayer. The attendance was remarkable. For a fairly small college (roughly 3100 undergraduates) we packed the gym and upper balcony. Midway through the event, a minister (I am not certain as to what denomination he is) spoke quite eloquently to all of us about the goodness of God. Following this “sermon” we all stood together and sang some spiritual songs led by a quite talented Christian-rock band. That experience of uniting together in prayer-song filled me with hope.

As I sat in this meeting I began to think about the fact that maybe things aren’t as bad for our Catholic Church after all. Despite large quantities of people moving away, there are still so many that are faithful. Granted, not everyone at the “Cru” meeting is Catholic but all Christians are united in common faith and maybe one day we can all be united in one Church. As a side note January 18-25, 2012 will be the week of prayer for Christian unity! As I joined in the songs and the prayer and allowed myself to be open to the Spirit, I began to think that the future of our Church isn’t so bleak after all.

Last Sunday, my first Sunday here at school, I attended the Mass hosted by the Newman Center on campus and was very impressed. I went not expecting many people to be there but I was quite surprised. The youth are out there! Once students get to college, no one is forcing them to go to Mass, especially if they are away from home. Students have the opportunity to just sleep in on a Sunday morning if they so choose and no one need ever know. Yet, students come. They are moved by the Holy Spirit and convinced that receiving the Eucharist is essential to our existence; our Catholic Mass was filled with students. And I did notice that everyone sang the hymns that were lead by the music ministers. Perhaps the reason many youth and young adults don’t sing in most home churches is because they take their cue of silence from the older generations around them!

As a closing thought I’d like to mention that my hope in the future of our faith is coming from a lot of external sources… my campus Newman Center, the Crusade for Christ, the Buffalo Youth Convention, the National Catholic Youth Convention, and World Youth Day.

Yet some may be asking, “What about St. Benedict?” I think that our beloved parish will very soon be making the list of places that instill hope for the future. This summer, our parish hired Mr. Matt Smith as Director of Youth Ministry and Religious Education. Through youth programs, Religious Ed. classes, and the Generations of Faith program I imagine that many exciting things will come from him and his staff. In addition, Mrs. Jennifer Scalisi has been hired to be the 6^th-8^th Grade Religion teacher in the school. Hopefully, that program will encourage youth to stay active as well. Finally, as we speak, an action plan is being put into place by the parish in order to build “Evangelism through Technology,” an initiative that very well could make our parish one of the most youth-friendly and technologically advanced parishes in the diocese. I’m sure that details will be more forthcoming in the months to come!

To put it simply, I am very excited. I am excited for our Church as a whole. I am excited for our diocese. I am excited for St. Benedict Parish. While evangelization is something that each and every one of us needs to value, I don’t think we necessarily need to look at it as an uphill battle. God will provide!

God, we pray
for youth who are searching for your love. Help them find you. “For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”  Matthew 7:8

-David Croglio

Wearing Rosaries - Religious Bracelets - Jesus Pieces

As my parishioners know, I travel often and I teach religion to 16 and 17 year old boys.  I would have to say that this is about the best possible combination of activities you can have to spot male theological and fashion trends!


Rosaries I bought in NYC (Coney Island) for $1 each

 I have the sense that we are near the end of the Catholic religious bracelet trend [photo below]. I know from talking to my students, that they often had little to no idea who was on their wrist. I would teach them about the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the apparitions of Mary, or the many saints depicted on their bracelets. But I think the bracelet was not "noticeable" enough for our fashionistas. They are moving on....

The religious fashion trend that is peaking right now and will undoubtedly die out in a year or two (as all fashion trends must) is the wearing of rosaries. I see it everywhere I go.  It is particularly popular among Hispanic and African-American young men, though I see an increasing number of white men wearing rosaries too. Many of my white middle-class students wear chaplet rosaries around their wrists too. It's definitely a "guy thing." I have yet to see a woman wearing a rosary - though I'm sure some woman must have donned one somewhere!

The New York City subways are perhaps the best place to see the rosary trend in full blossom. Rosaries are now available from practically every corner vendor and kiosk operator in New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and just about any city with a sizable young population.

I am conflicted about this trend.

On one hand, there is the traditional side of me that thinks rosaries are private devotional aids (a sacramental) to be kept in one's pocket.  I have no doubt that the Felician Sisters who taught me in the 1970's at my parochial school would be "freaked out" by the current trend. They would think it is disrespectful that rosaries are worn as jewelry. Part of me thinks they are correct.

On the other hand, I kind of like seeing people unashamed of their faith in Jesus. I suspect many of the wearers of rosaries today do not know the Marian aspect of the rosary or the prayers that comprise it. In fact, I am pretty sure that many of those wearing rosaries are not even Catholic. However, there is no doubt that the cross/crucifix at the beginning of the rosary marks it as a Christian thing. That puts rosary beads in the category of "Jesus pieces" or "Good Wood"  or Cross pierced-earrings or Cross tattoos for many of our young fashionistas. Our young people are simply proud of being followers of Jesus.  I am proud of them for that.

So now we Catholics must evangelize a bit. The "beads" are back! Now let's make sure they are not just a piece of bling in the mind of our young folk.  Think of this as an opportunity to speak about Jesus, Mary, Catholicism and your personal faith!

Here are three suggestions:
1. FOR THOSE WHO ARE SHY - Say a quick silent prayer for the person you see wearing a rosary or a "Jesus piece." Ask Mary to intercede for them that they may grow strong in faith, hope and love. Let the rosary wearer strengthen your faith too by reminding YOU of Christ and the Blessed Mother!
2. FOR THOSE WHO ARE A BIT BRAVER - Use rosaries as a conversation starter if you feel comfortable speaking to the wearer.  If you have rosaries in your pocket, (and shouldn't you?) take them out and compare.  Briefly tell your rosary story - when you got it, what it means to you, and especially how often you USE your rosary. Let them tell their rosary story. Maybe, just maybe, you will even trade rosaries!
3. FOR THOSE WITH HEROIC ZEAL & COURAGE - teach them the rosary. Have a card with instructions on praying the rosary in your pocket. The Knights of Columbus have a handy card - http://www.kofc.org/un/en/resources/cis/devotionals/1877.pdf  Make sure you have previously written the directions to your parish and its Sunday Mass times on the cards too.

Another useful site for learning to pray the rosary:
http://www.newadvent.org/images/rosary.pdf

Whatever your personal view on fashion trends, now is the time for us to catechize our young people. They have taken the first step by adopting our iconography and sacramentals, so let us use their fashion sense to share the Good News of salvation!

World Youth Day 2011 - WYD

WORLD YOUTH DAY

Thousands of people from around the world have traveled to
Madrid (Spain) to participate in the 26th annual World Youth Day
observance from August 16-21.  This years theme is:
"Planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith" (cf Col 2:7).

Check the Vatican and EWTN websites below for great information.

http://www.vatican.va/gmg/documents/index.html

http://www.ewtn.com/wyd2011/

Would you like to go to the 27th Annual World Youth Day celebration in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil?
To learn more about Youth Ministry at St. Benedict's write to:msmith@saintbenedicts.com

Director of Youth Ministry

St. Benedict’s Parish
1317 Eggert Road
Amherst, NY 14226
716.834.1041

email - rectory@saintbenedicts.com
Address to Ms. Denise Karpinski

website - http://www.saintbenedicts.com/

RESUMES ARE ACCEPTED THROUGH 22 JULY.
EMAILS WITH RESUME ATTACHMENTS ARE ENCOURAGED

TITLE - Director of Youth Ministry & Religious Education
FULL TIME POSITION – 40 hours     $25 to 30+ K
[depending on experience and/or education, the title may be “Coordinator” instead of “Director.”]
The services of a secretary are included in this position.
We have approximately 1500 registered families.


1. General Description
The Director of Youth Ministry & Religious Education (“DYM”) coordinates all parish efforts in ministry to young people. This includes catechesis, activities, and all preparation for the sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation. The DYM must be self-motivated and open to creative approaches to catechesis and youth ministry.. We desire an integrated, comprehensive youth ministry, modeled on the1997 USCCB document, Renewing The Vision: A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry.


2. Accountability
The DYM reports directly to the pastor or his delegate.


3. Responsibilities
The DYM general responsibilities include:
• Attend and participate in staff meetings
• Communicate often to parish staff, and seek their input, when planning youth ministry.
• Be a resource person to parish staff and parish council on issues related to catechesis and youth ministry
• Remain personally in compliance with the diocesan “Protecting God’s Children” requirements and continually monitor compliance of ALL volunteers in our youth program.
• Continual education in Catholic theology, catechesis, and early childhood/adolescent development.
• Most importantly, spiritual growth through constant prayer and participation in the sacramental life of the Church.


The DYM’s program responsibilities include:
• Initiating and Facilitating a Parish Youth Leadership Team(s), responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating a comprehensive youth ministry program. Receptivity and creativity in ministry is encouraged.
• Staffing, training, evaluating and directing catechists. Evaluating and expanding present catechesis.
• Recruiting, training, supporting, and evaluating all volunteers in the entire youth ministry program.
• Utilizing standard and emerging forms of communication with youth – social media platforms, email, parish website, etc. The Recommended Technology Guidelines for Pastoral Work with Young People from the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, 2010 is to be adhered to. Also, fostering creative apostolates that utilize modern forms of communication
• Coordinating the Confirmation program and exhorting our young parishioners to participate in the sacramental life of the Church, especially through Sunday Mass involvement.
• Being routinely present at our weekend and holyday liturgies.
• Fostering the involvement of young people in the life of the parish. We expect that there will be at least one active adolescent participant on the Parish Council and one on all parish committees.
• Coordinating the outreach to and evangelization of all young people in the parish.
• Faith in Action components - Service projects and mission trips are to be given high priority. We expect that some of our youth will participate in the annual Diocesan Youth Convention, Young Christians at Work, and papal World Youth days.
• Providing appropriate catechesis for, and frequent communication to, parents.
• Serving as the liaison with the diocesan offices of religious education and youth ministry.

4. Relationships – we pledge our assistance along the way.
• Pastor, other parish clergy (priests and deacons), the principal of the school, school religion teachers, catechists, volunteers.
• Parish Council–attend meetings regularly and provide a youth ministry report
• Parish Committees–communicate and collaborate with appropriate committees, i.e., liturgy, social justice, evangelization, technology, etc.
• Parents and Parishioners–regular two-way communication and frequent updates in parish media.

Program Goals and Objectives
Goals - Youth ministry is based on the USCCB document, Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry. The goals of youth ministry are to:

• Call young people to be disciples of Jesus Christ

• Draw young people into the life, work, and mission of the faith community

• Foster the total personal and spiritual growth of young people



Objectives - Specifically, youth ministry has the following objectives:

• To enable young people to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ

• To connect young people with the life of the parish community and to make them more visible in parish life

• To enable young people to know and understand the teachings, traditions and practices of the Catholic Church, deepening their Catholic identity

• To connect young people with caring, believing adult role models

• To provide young people with service opportunities

• To provide a safe environment and a place where young people share and grow together in faith, learning more about being Catholic

• To develop an outreach to uninvolved and unchurched youth

• To involve young people in prayer and worship

• To enable our young people to become happy, healthy and holy adults.

Youth Ministry - St. Benedict's

YOUTH MINISTRY:
Ministers to All

Creating a safe, positive environment for teens to grow socially, intellectually, and spiritually while empowering young adults to grow into fully functional members of the Parish and community is the mission of St Benedict's Youth Ministry. It also seeks to participate in service projects, social events and spiritual retreats that promote the presence of God in the daily lives of our young people.

The ministry is open to all high school students from St Benedict's as well as their friends, however, you do not need to be a parishioner, nor, Catholic to become a member. Teens are also welcome to attend events even if they aren't members. Adults interested in ministering to and assisting teens with the many events throughout the year are also welcome. Meeting are held every other Sunday from 7-9 pm in the new youth room located in St Benedict's School. Anyone interested in learning more about St Benedict's Youth Ministry can contact the rectory at 834-1041 or email Rectory@saintbenedicts.com.
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