ARTICLES

Black teens empowered at Youth Forum

By Dawn Crutchfield
Special to The Catholic Virginian

“T-squared, J-Squared” was the theme buzzing around the Holy Rosary Church for the diocese’s first Black Catholic Youth Empowerment Forum June 24 at Holy Rosary parish in Richmond.

“Teen’s, T’s, Jeans and Jesus” were emblazoned on the brilliant lime green T-shirts the 63 teens wore throughout the day.

Youth fully participated in all aspects of the liturgy. They served as greeters and helpers and as lectors and ushers.

The goal of the Forum was to empower teens by encouraging them to have a stronger faith and giving them hands-on skills to be active in the community at large.

The day’s events started with a spirited celebration of Mass concelebrated by Father George Clements, a priest from Chicago who was celebrating his 50th anniversary as a priest; Msgr. Walter C. Barrett, pastor of Holy Rosary, and Father Andrew Sagayam, pastor of St. Elizabeth’s, Richmond. The Holy Rosary Choir was captivating and moving, as well as the praise dancers who came from the Basilica of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Norfolk.

After Mass the adults were dismissed from the sanctuary so the youth could begin the forum unintimidated by the presence of their parents and others not their peers.

Brian Greenfield, co-founder of Hard as Nails Ministry, was the keynote speaker. This motivational speaker and high school teacher from Washington, DC presented a discussion with the youth on “Living their Catholic Faith.”

He fostered discussion on teenage issues of drugs, sex, parish life, Christian values, love, self-esteem and treating others in the tradition of Christ’s life and love. He also discussed what it means to be Catholic and a disciple of Christ and the cost and rewards of such decisions in those matters.

“Wow, Brian was really good and didn’t bore us,” said Alexis Terry, age 13, from St. Gerard parish, Roanoke.

In a discussion I, as director of the diocesan Office of Black Catholics, and Pat Novak, diocesan director of Youth Ministry, gave teens an opportunity to share their feelings about what a “bad” youth ministry looks like and what a “good” youth ministry looks like.

Youth asked some poignant questions such as,“Why do parents not lead by example?,” “Why do parents say it’s important to go to church, but not go to church themselves?” and “Why do parents give us rules and then don’t allow us to use our own creativity to follow the rules?”

Ms. Novak shared the diocesan-established eight qualities of a successful youth ministry and the youth had an opportunity to critique what’s working, what doesn’t work, and/or how they could build upon some of those qualities.

I made a commitment to fully support the implementation of their ideas with adults acting in a supportive role. The ideas and solutions will be compiled and posted on the websites of the Offices for Black Catholics and Youth Ministry. When I shared my open-door policy by which anyone can contact me, I talked about the development of a Youth Liaison from each parish who would communicate activities in their parish to the diocesan office.

This is just to ensure accountability, not to usurp the roles of the youth ministers in the parishes.

The parents weren’t off the hook. I later led a discussion with the parents asking them,“What can the church do to give support in order for parents to support youth’s full participation in church?”

At first, parents had a hard time wrapping their minds around NOT coming up with ideas for the youth, but instead considered the supporting role of parents in empowering youth to lead youth ministry.

The parents and youth ministers really embraced the idea of a youth-led ministry citing their need for resources, support from other adults, convenient times, and better communication.

I also shared my office’s open-door policy with the adults and encouraged them to work with members of the Black Catholic Commission and/or call me directly at anytime for anything.

The closing discussion gathered both youth and adults. Parents entertained the teens with skits about things they had learned about each other during the day.

Yes, “corny” was one of the critiques given from the teens and it definitely was a fitting comment. But all seemed to enjoy it.

The teens presented their ideas, possible solutions and plans. My closing comments encouraged accountability. I asked the teens to organize and implement their programs and keep me posted about them.

Congregations that participated were the Richmond parishes of Holy Rosary, St. Elizabeth’s, and St. Paul’s; St. Gerard’s, Roanoke; St. Paul’s, Portsmouth; St. Ann’s, Ashland; Ss. Peter and Paul, Palmyra, and the Basilica of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Norfolk.

The Youth Empowerment Forum is consistent with the mandate of Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo to be more “welcoming” of our youth and young adults; with the Office of Black Catholics to attract and retain Black Catholics in the diocese; and with parishes’ desire to have fully participating, well-rounded youth that know and are protected by the Holy Ghost.

A picnic lunch on the church grounds and activities meant to inspire camaraderie among the youth closed the day’s events.

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