July 25, 2010 edition
CYX – Another Way to Connect Our Youth with Their Faith
by Bishop Dale J. Melczek
Our
young people are a great treasure for the Church. We can never devote enough
time and resources for their formation in the ways of the Lord. I am so
grateful to parents and parishes who consider the formation of our teens a
major priority.
This weekend, Catholic teens and their adult youth ministry leaders will
gather at Valparaiso University for the seventh-annual diocesan Catholic
Youth Xperience (CYX), a conference for high school-aged youth. The theme is
“I AM,” and is inspired by Jesus’ query, “Who do you say that I am?” which
is found in each of the Synoptic Gospels. Through a variety of experiences,
including Eucharist, adoration, reconciliation, contemporary music,
inspiring speakers, serving others, and in community with others, the young
Church will encounter the Great I AM, Yahweh, who dwells within each of
them.
This year, in addition to celebrating Eucharist with all participants and
their families on Sunday, I will join my brother priests from the diocese on
Saturday for the Bishop & Priest Forum. A group of incoming 12th graders
will engage in a dialogue with priests and me about youth issues, Church
issues, and other matters. The goal is for both priests and teens to have a
greater understanding of the unique perspectives and challenges facing the
other as we carry on the mission of building the Kingdom of God.
While we are participating in the forum, other teens will be engaged in
nearly a dozen other catechetical sessions that translate the Gospel into a
teen’s own unique language.
Each year I confer the Sacrament of Confirmation to thousands of 8th and 9th
graders. I am inspired by their seriousness of purpose. Adolescents today
are very socially-conscious and share with me often how willing they are to
help and serve others. They share with me often how important God is in
their lives. Yet parents approach me often lamenting that there aren’t
enough ways to keep their young people connected to Christ and to our faith.
That is why I encourage every parish youth ministry leader to use our
diocesan youth activities, including CYX, the National Catholic Youth
Conference, TAPT retreats, and Grásta Dé! (for middle schoolers), to
supplement their local parish ministry. While nothing is more important than
the ongoing youth ministry within the parish, teens that attend large scale
events like diocesan conferences, retreats, and rallies are significantly
more likely to attend liturgy regularly, to read a the Bible, and to report
being close to God (“National Study of Youth & Religion: Analysis of the
Population of Catholic Teenagers and Their Parents”). All of us—young and
old—need special religious moments to sustain our everyday faith life, and
we are blessed to have such opportunities for teens.
Parents, if your parish is not offering such opportunities for teens, talk
to your priest, Parish Pastoral Council, or youth minister about how you can
create or enhance parish opportunities for teens. Our diocesan director of
youth ministry, Kevin Driscoll, can assist parish leaders who are looking to
develop strategies to minister to youth.
The life of a teenager today is fast-paced. They are bombarded with negative
values in a sin-permissive culture. I salute the teens who will gather this
weekend at CYX – and all adult leaders and parents who helped to make that
happen – for taking time to make Christ the center of their identity.