Getting to know...Kevin Driscoll
NWI Times, November 22, 2008

About Kevin:
• Coordinator for Office for Youth and Young Adults with Diocese of Gary.
• Bachelor’s degree in broadcast communication from Illinois State University.
• Master’s degree in pastoral studies through Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.
• He and his wife, Lisa live in Cedar Lake and have two sons: Brett, 7, and J.P., 1.

Accomplishments:
Kevin Driscoll is coordinator for the Office for Youth and Young Adults with the Diocese of Gary. He works indirectly with teens by working with parish youth ministers. He coordinates training, networking and resources and strives to empower and inspire. “I see my calling as ministering to the ministers,” he said. Driscoll coordinates a series of youth events that pull youth together from throughout the diocese; most recently Grasta De a middle school youth rally. He directs diocesan retreats called Teens are People Too during Lent, Catholic Youth Xperience a summer ministry conference at Valparaiso University and the Diocesan Youth Counsel (sic) with a current roster of 35 teens that meets monthly. They play a key role in serving their peers at events. Driscoll oversees the Young Adult Counsel (sic) for single and married young adults in their 20’s and 30’s that meets quarterly and serves as a resource for parishes looking to improve their outreach to young adults. “We recognize that ministry doesn’t happen at the diocesan level, it happens at each church,” he said. “I see my job as advocacy. Our youth and young adults have a place in church today, now. I feel like it’s my calling and those who work with me in ministry to get young adults to recognize faith can be at the center of your life all the time, even outside of the Sunday celebration. My calling is to constantly be out there trumpeting the cause and to let youth know the gospel can be related to them too.” Driscoll chairs a committee for National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry.

Why I minister to others:
“I’m in youth ministry today because I’m a product of good youth ministers and because I grew closer to God because of youth ministry. If youth can find a way to experience a relationship with Christ they’re more likely to understand it’s not just (correction added*) about going to church.”

What I read:
“I just went to grad school and read a lot of theology. My escape is sports.”

Advice:
“Teens are ready to lead us in church ministry. A life rooted in Christ can have such a positive impact on the community when shared.”

What inspires me:
“Joy…a joyous experience of religion, a joyous experience of church and the joy of youth that keeps me going and reminds me we have a very loving God.

People might be surprised to know:
“There are many ways Northwest Indiana is paradise, having lived in south Florida. There is so much the Midwest has to offer.”

~Sue Bero, Times Correspondent
 

* A misquote by the Times greatly changed the meaning of this sentence, and lead Kev to "blog" on the bigger issue of youth and liturgy. Read it here!