Sean Muldoon, Méabh Corrigan and Orlaith McGarvey address the issue of how to involve young people in parish life
Why do the youth feel lost today? And why do our parishes find it so difficult to attract young people? With the increasing secularisation of society many young people are more interested in Snapchat, Facebook and the number of Insta likes they can accumulate, than actively contributing to their parish. Indeed, it seems in many young people’s eyes Keeping up with the Kardashians ranks higher than St Paul’s letters to the Corinthians.
Another issue is the fact that our Church is patriarchal in leadership. Timothy 2:12 states “I do not permit a woman to have authority over a man”. Yet I know it was my mother who taught me my prayers every night. Furthermore female doctors of the Church such as St Teresa of Avila, St Thérèse and St Catherine of Siena have all been recognised for their work and yet were unable to openly hold a leadership role because of Church dogma. Is this fair? We certainly think not!
Can you imagine our parishes on a Sunday if only men attended Mass? This patriarchal preference needs to change. Church leadership should be based on people’s gifts… not their gender.
Wineskins
In Mark 2:22, Jesus reminds us “No one pours new wine into old wineskins otherwise the wine will burst the skins and both the will be ruined”. This passage vividly explains our current predicament. We can not get new results with old behaviours. Jesus came to introduce something new, not to patch up something old.
Is the patriarchal and hierarchical structure of our parishes putting young people off? Perhaps. Should more be done to listen to what we, the youth have to say? Perhaps. Could engaging with the youth increase their connection with their parish and their faith? Definitely.
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love and in faith.” Timothy (12:12-13).
Timothy knows that young people are needed. Timothy knows that young people have a purpose. Timothy knows that young people must be involved in our parishes.
In Pope Benedict XVI’s pastoral letter to the people of Ireland, he speaks directly to young people, as he writes, “I look to you to bring your much-needed enthusiasm and idealism to the rebuilding and renewal of our beloved Church.” However, it is with deep sadness that I must admit that a number of our parishes are failing to recognise the youth and our committed zeal.
We carried out some primary research with Year 13 students regarding their involvement in the Pope John Paul II Award. When two of the girls we interviewed approached their parish priest and asked if there was anything that they could do to help, they were given the onerous task of picking the candle wax off the carpet on the altar… Is this a true representation of our worth? God has bigger plans for us.
We have experienced first-hand the hunger and thirst for God within young people in our own parishes. Therefore, our Church must ensure that we are reunited with our faith, just as the lost sheep was reunited with the shepherd. Pope Benedict in his foreword in the YouCat said, “many people say to me: The youth of today are not interested in this. I disagree, and I am certain that I am right. The youth of today are not as superficial as some may think”.
Perception
So what can our parishes do? Despite the perception that young people are disillusioned by the parochial and patriarchal structure of today’s outdated model, we believe that the Holy Spirit is moving the Church in the right direction.
Méabh and Orlaith have been privileged to be involved in the Rise of the Roses. Through this movement they had the opportunity to spend time with contemplative sisters in Limerick and Dublin, and to feel their conviction and sense of fulfilment at being one with God. Our parishes could certainly attract young people again if they were more actively involved in lay ministries such as this.
We are excited by these faith initiatives, which are guiding us back to our parishes. Indeed, the Medjugorie Youth Group from our parishes of Beragh, Errigal, and Aghaloo is a prime example of how we are passionate about our faith. As we look forward to travelling to Medjugorie in August, we know we will be enriched by going to this place of ultimate peace and holiness. As Pope Francis stated, “The best instrument to evangelise young people is other young people”.
There is overwhelming evidence that young people throughout Ireland are actively engaging with their faith: The Pope John Paul II Awards; the St Vincent De Paul Youth Conference; Parish Youth Masses; St Ciaran’s Peregrini; Lunchtime Adoration; and the Knights of St Columbanus Public Speaking Competition are all new wineskins.
Our parishes are “waiting” for us to return to the fold. But waiting is too passive. Jesus’ message is explicit, parishes need to be active – “Go out after the lost sheep until they are found”.
*Sean, Méabh and Orlaith are Year 12 students at St Ciaran’s College, Ballygawley, Co. Tyrone. This is an edited version of their winning speeches at the All-Ireland Schools Public Speaking Competition organised by the Order of the Knights of St Columbanus.
