Parish youth ministers hear bishop’s vision

ROCKPORT, Texas – Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey reminded youth ministers, in retreat at the Lighthouse Inn in Rockport on Feb. 3-4, of Jesus’ parable in Luke’s Gospel on the lost sheep. “Our work does not end with the youth in our groups, but that one that is still lost and does not know Jesus. How do we reach those youth?”

The Diocese of Corpus Christi Office of Youth Ministry sponsored the retreat to recognize youth ministers for their years of service, to network with other youth ministers, to share resources and ideas, to have time to reflect in prayer and fellowship and to be reminded as to why they serve the “young church.”

Paul Flores from Playtime Ministry in Arizona served as retreat master for the weekend. 

Bishop Mulvey presented certificates of appreciation to 44 youth ministers for their service. Bishop Mulvey also shared with the youth ministers his vision for working with the youth in the diocese.

The bishop reminded them of the “New Evangelization” that is outlined in “Renewing the Vision,” a USCCB document on the framework for Catholic Youth Ministry.

“Youth ministers work with the bishop in bringing young souls to Christ. Even if you have 20, 50, 100 youth in your youth groups, let’s not forget the ones that are not in church or not in the youth groups,” Bishop Mulvey said.

Bishop Mulvey told the youth ministers that the diocese is working on policies to assist them in using the “digital resources” young people use to communicate, such as blogging, tweeting and Facebook. 

“We must be willing to use these methods to reach those that are not coming to church or are searching for something that is missing in their lives, but with the policies, we can do it correctly and safely,” Bishop Mulvey said.

The bishop also mentioned the important role youth ministers have in bringing more vocation awareness to the youth.

Youth ministers should also help the bishop in bringing more awareness to one’s vocational discernment, the bishop said. Young people should have at least once in their lives considered the possibility of being a priest or a religious. Youth ministers should be ready to assist them in nurturing that idea with the office of vocations.

“We all have a role to play in our future priests and sisters,” Bishop Mulvey said.

The weekend included not only video and book resources, but also the most important resources–each other, said Jaime Reyna, Director of Youth Ministry for the diocese.

Flores reminded everyone that they can and should work together because even if a youth minister has one year or 30 years of experience, they can learn from one another and they do not have to do it alone.

Parishes represented at the retreat included Saint Frances of Rome in Agua Dulce, Most Precious Blood, St. John the Baptist, Sts. Cyril and Methodius, Saint Anthony in Robstown, Our Lady of Guadalupe in Alice, St. Mary’s Mission in Robstown, Nuestra Señora de San Juan de los Lagos, Madre de la Iglesia, St. Patrick, St. Martin in Kingsville, Our Lady of Guadalupe in Sinton, St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, Corpus Christi Cathedral, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Portland, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Mission in Clarkwood, Our Lady of Pilar and St. Pius X.

Reyna reminded all youth ministers that the Office of Youth Ministry is available for pastors and youth ministers to provide financial assistance, resources for youth ministry and consultation and evaluation to assist with any plan that the parish has for youth ministry.

For assistance, a parish can contact Reyna or Nellie Serna (361) 882-6291.