St. Patrick's Joins in Youth Ministry by Monica Gallagher

    St. Patrick's ministers have begun to reach out to the parish's youth as is a practice of some other churches already.
    One church which is known for a  large, active youth group is Faith Community. Eventually, in fact, Youth pastor Dave Foster hopes that Faith Community will be resource center, a "hub" for other youth groups soon. Foster is also Associate Pastor at Faith Community.
    Missions of the two youth groups, however, are not the same. Fr. Craig Loecker of St. Patrick's Church said in an interview that the purpose of the St. Pat's  youth group begun in the last two years is to continue the CCD program, which did not address junior high or high school students in the past. CCD and the youth group which meets on Sundays from 6:30 to 7:45, provide Catholic education for non-St. Mary's students in grades 7-12. Mary Trainer, Youth Director and teacher of catechism in Norfolk, leads the meetings. Mostly non-St. Mary's students from grades 7-10 attend. Fr. Loecker would ideally like to see students from the upper grades also. Similarly, Loecker, the acting youth pastor, hopes to organize retreats for more students than seniors. (See article on retreat)
    There are many methods in which to address the religious and spiritual needs of youth. Youth Pastor Dave Foster utilizes a hard-core approach to the students in grades nine to twelve who attend the Solid Rock youth group. In years past, Foster sponsored more fun and games. His recent view, however, is that your adults crave something spiritually substantial  and that the dedicated will continue to come when recreation is minimal. Solid Rock does not advertise itself, yet the number who attend by word of mouth amaze Foster. In his work with youth since 1978, Rev. Foster's experience with ministry has been "If you build it, they will come." Solid Rock does hold and outreach party to attract prospective or already committed Christians every few months.
    Foster said  that outreach is a mutual learning experience for both established and new Christians. Often, Christians since childhood see things best through the eyes of new, excited Christians.
    As a newly established youth group, St. Patrick's group usually has 20 minutes of a religious talk or activity after the initial snack time, then approximately 30 minutes of games. Each meeting addresses a different catechism topic. 10-20 kids usually attend on Sunday nights. Loecker hopes to see as many as 40 in the future. Judging from the approximately 100 young Catholics who took part in the recent Youth Rally (covered on this page), Loecker's vision is a definite possibility.
    Both Foster and Loecker would like to see churches offer more for youth as a demographic group. Loecker hopes for overnight retreats and youth camps. He also likes the idea of a Saint Mary's youth director based in O'Neill.
    Rev. Foster's Solid Rock group already participates in may diverse activities besides Wednesday meetings. They include: a yearly evangelical trip to Mexico and to the inner-city in the future, fund raisers, Outreach parties, retreats to such places as Omaha, and the Power Team. The Power team is a special group of Christians who want more than the Wednesday night youth group provides.
    Foster has definite prerequisites for Power Team members including that they are available for the commitment and open to authority. In youth's progression as seen by Foster, the Power Team is the last, the "committed" stage characterized by attendance of Wednesday night youth group.
    As they minister to young people, youth pastors observe specific areas in which they want to help kids. There is a certain risk as high school graduates attend college courses for the first time. Foster tries to "ground kids in their religious identity so college professors can't intimidate them." Some professors have been known to confront and challenge students concerning their faith in God.
    Also, Foster hopes to instill vision in small-town families. In a presentation to the Valley Hope Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center staff about modern youth, Mr. Foster called attention to local students' reluctance to consider out-of-state or private universities. Rural life's stability can be a very positive component for youth, Foster said in his interview, but rural life can also be a factor influencing kids to become lackadaisical. Foster encourages local youth to take any opportunities to see other cultures.
    Originally from Omaha, Rev. Foster is "impressed with overall quality of kids here." According to Foster, kids in the area are more stable and have greater respect for authority than kids from other regions he has known.
    Both Foster and Loecker are adults who realize that young people have a unique void that can only be filled by a relationship with God. As they plan their youth group meetings, evangelical trips, and pilgrimage to Denver to see the Pope, they are taking vital steps to fill that void for local youth.