September 9, 2015

By Deacon Kevin Mastellon
Staff writer

Watertown -- Parishes throughout the Jefferson and Lewis Deaneries have been working to identify ways to "strengthen faith formation in family life" (one of the priorities of the Diocesan Vision) through the development of youth ministries in their parishes.

Indeed establishing Youth ministry in 25 to 30 parishes in the Diocese was one of the goals set by the Visioning Team and Bishop Terry R. LaValley in the April 2014 Diocesan Pastoral Letter: "Find Your Home in Christ."
Here are just a few examples of the efforts underway in the western deaneries.

Cape Vincent
Sharon Turner is the Youth Ministry Director for the Catholic Communities of Cape Vincent, Rosiere, and Chaumont. "We started our Youth group in January of 2012 and currently have 12 to 15 members ranging from grades 6 to 12,” she said. “We do a variety of activities that include service, team and faith building and fundraising.

“Service activities have included spring cleaning of all three churches in the parish inside and yard work outside, yard work for parishioners, volunteering at the Urban Mission and Dollar Dinners as well as moving books at the library,” Ms. Turner said. “Team and faith building activities include overnights, attending the Youth Rally yearly, attending the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis in 2013 and we will go again this November 2015." 

The activities all have the full support of Missionary of the Sacred Father Pierre Aubin, pastor for the three church communities.

Clayton/LaFargeville
The group Mrs. Turner directs often cooperates in activities with the youth group from St. Mary's Clayton and St. John's in LaFargeville where Father Arthur J. LaBaff is pastor.

"Our youth director came up with an idea to sell stock in our young people,” Father LaBaff said. “Over the summer parishioners were invited to buy a share in the future of our young people by donating any amount they wanted to our program.  Christine's idea brought in $6,000 over the summer.  It is a fantastic way for our people to support our youth activities."

The Clayton/LaFargeville group varies in size depending on the season.  Director Christine Woodley says anywhere from ten to 30 young people participate in the events.  In addition to attending the aforementioned National Conference, "the group has gone apple picking, Pumpkin Chunkin and taken nature hikes,” she said. “We volunteer for Hawn Memorial Library, the Salvation Army's Soup Kitchen, and within the parish community. We have held “Fat Tuesday” gatherings to prepare for Lent.  We met on Assumption Thursday and created activities to correspond with the feast; we have engaged in day trips and overnights and attend all the Youth Rally's in the Diocese including March for Life."

While these programs have been up and running for some time, others are discovering new opportunities in youth activities.

Croghan
At St. Stephen's in Croghan,, DRE Eileen Greenwood said, "We have activities throughout the year for our youth.  We have game nights, retreats for youth at Beaver Camp, opportunities to assist the community such as raking lawns and yard work to help those who are ill or need assistance. We have a number of our youth involved in music ministry at our masses, as well as altar serving.

“This past August we had a group of youth help with our Summer Program, assisting teachers in classroom, crafts, games and the kitchen,” she said. “During Christmas many of our youth help with a Children’s mass that highlights a drama by the children and youth of our parish.  Many of our youth are looking forward to the bus trip later this month to participate at Mass in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania celebrated by Pope Francis.

“We also participate in regional Youth days, taking hikes, picnics and campfires, bowling, winter sliding days, and a service weekend several of our youth attend in Philadelphia at the St. Francis Inn,” Ms. Greenwood said.

Watertown
Several parishes noted their support for Guggenheim and encouragement of young campers.  One family in Watertown, the family of the late Father Peter Butler, has established a scholarship in his name for campers and helped send four young people to Guggenheim Summer Camp this year.

St. Patrick's and St. Anthony's started a youth group this past year called Impact and now has space to gather in the former St. Anthony's school.  The group will meet this fall in conjunction with evening Confirmation classes.

Alexandria Bay
Father Douglas Comstock, pastor of St. Cyril's in Alexandria Bay reports, "in addition to our catechetical efforts for junior and senior high school students every other Sunday night during the school year, we have a “lock-in” in the spring for the same group.  It goes from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. in the parish hall with games, movies, time for personal prayer and confession up in church."

Brownville
Father Michael Gaffney says "we are in the process of starting a youth ministry here in Brownville (Immaculate Conception) in light of the diocesan initiatives for youth ministry. We have a very well attended religious education program for Junior high students on Sunday nights. We are looking at ways to expand that into a viable ministry for youth."

Bishop LaValley has said the Diocese needs to enhance youth ministry in the Diocese as a way to strengthen the family and the church.  These and many other parishes are responding to the call.