The Youth Ministry at St. Francis is an integral part of our faith formation ministries, fostering faith, friendship, and service. Tim Hetzel, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, and Jess Montrella, Middle School Evangelization and Formation coordinator, spoke about the resurgence of youth ministry following the pandemic.
“For at least a year,” says Tim, “we had kind of a virtual youth ministry, or were trying to do virtual youth ministry when we’re on Zoom in our small groups. That worked as well as it could, and then when we got back, it was similar to how schools did it, which was sort of like ‘being in your cohort’ kind of thing. You didn’t really see the whole group.”
After all that, the ministry experienced staff turnover, which disrupted things. Tim says, “What we’ve been able to do is get back to a pretty solid foundation where we gather all of the youth together. High school meets in Fellowship Hall; Middle school meets in the community center; same night, same time, right after the 530 p.m. Sunday Mass. So you can go to Mass and then come to youth ministry.
Additionally, Jim Wahl is putting together a teen singers ministry for that Mass. We’re intentionally making that Sunday evening Mass more youth-oriented.“
“We’re getting back to a formula that has been successful in the past: you meet, you eat, you play games, then you talk a little bit about your faith,” adds Tim. “You have a presentation of some sort. The presentation is often me right now, but we’ve added a couple of youth to give witness talks and provide leadership that way; the youth should hear their peers speak to them. It’s a way for everyone to engage a little more. They’ll have small groups during the youth night as well, which usually involves an activity or discussion after the presentation, and we’ll close in prayer. The energy is just different from what it was in the last couple of years during COVID and after COVID, when things were a little unsettled; there’s a lot more fun.
Enrollment is up to pre-COVID levels, which is good. “We have about 40% post-confirmation, just under 40%, so 10th grade and up registered,” says Tim, “which I think is a good benchmark because you want everyone, or as many people as possible, to feel welcome in youth ministry, regardless of their sacramental journey.” If you are being confirmed, the youth ministry asks that you attend because part of the process is joining a community. It’s a sacrament of initiation, but confirmation prep is a separate program. Youth ministry is not confirmation prep, it’s youth ministry. “However,” Tim reinforces, “if you are already confirmed, you’re still welcome at the youth ministry. There’s still something for you there.”
Jess Montrella, in her role focused on Middle School, is enthusiastic about what youth ministry provides. “We’re excited about trying to engage the youth of our Parish and their families. “This involves communicating what faith formation is at St. Francis. Many parents still understand youth ministry as a textbook/classroom model. Tim has established a ministry founded on Catholic values, delivered through the experience of engaging a faith community in which those values are alive and present every time we gather. It is our goal that each youth experiences Christ’s love and the desire to lift others every time they come to faith formation. She continues, saying, “What Tim has brought to this has really made it successful and different. I think there are still a lot of people my age, parents, who will think immediately, ‘oh, I think I know what this is, we had CCD, but it’s really very different.”
“We are just trying to change that narrative with the parents and caregivers. Father Chris has been emphasizing at Mass that formation is a lifelong journey, and he encourages families to help their youth prioritize their faith by attending formation. We want our youth and families to understand that it’s not ‘take a class and you’re done.’” “It’s more than just learning about your faith; it’s sharing your faith and enjoying each other’s company, forming a community within the community,” she says. “Which is what happens!” adds Tim enthusiastically.
The middle schoolers enjoy the interactions they have with the high school faith formation youth as well. Sometimes, Youth Advisory Council members run games and give witness talks for middle schoolers. As you can imagine, the middle schoolers love seeing and hearing from the high schoolers. They benefit from hearing their faith has grown over the years and how they live their faith daily. The high schoolers’ model for the middle schoolers is that formation doesn’t end after confirmation.
We will continue to work to help families understand and be inspired by our model of youth faith formation. We hope that our youth will build strong relationships with God and Jesus Christ, with their peers, and with the Parish as a whole, while also enjoying the relationships they build with one another. If we can accomplish this, our youth will continue to seek formation through their college and young adult lives.
Interested in knowing more? There is, of course, always room for K-12th-grade students, but there are also roles for adult leaders. “Everyone is called,” says Tim, “and faith formation is a lifelong process. Everyone is called to continue their own journey. We are just trying to provide a space for the youth to do that.” Cross Walk (k-5th), Cross Train (6th-8th), and Cross Road (9th-12th) are always looking to serve the youth of our parish and community. Tim (tim.hetzel@stfrancisraleigh.org) and Jess (jessica.montrella@stfrancisraleigh.org) are available for questions, and registration can also be done on the parish website under ministries.
