How the Church best engages with young people was the hot topic for a gathering of representatives from Brisbane archdiocese’s parish pastoral councils last weekend. SELINA VENIER reports
ENGAGING young people in Church – particularly those from “Generation Y and Z” – was high on the agenda when parish pastoral councillors of Brisbane archdiocese met on March 10 for their annual gathering in Wilston.
Generation Y is generally known as the 17-34-year-olds of today while Generation Z are considered as those born from 1995 onwards.
Bishop Brian Finnigan attended among 107 pastoral councillors and guests from 40 parishes in the archdiocese, and he opened and closed the gathering.
Organiser and ministry development officer for the archdiocese’s Faith and Life Vicariate Judy Norris said it was made more significant by the number of guests attending.
“The significant thing about the day was that all parishioners interested in the issue of engaging youth in the Church today were invited to accompany their pastoral council members to the event,” she said.
“This was appreciated, from comments on the evaluations.”
Ipswich associate pastor Fr Paul Catchlove – who said he was part of “Generation X” – gave the day’s main address.
Fr Catchlove said “young people have a thirst for knowledge”.
“In fact, Generation Y and Z are highly educated people and within that they have a thirst to learn about the faith that they profess,” he said.
“They not only want to know the ‘what’ of the faith but also the ‘why’ … (like) why is Jesus Christ important to me.”
Saying “it’s the parish community’s responsibility to provide catechesis and other opportunities for young people to put faith into action”, Fr Catchlove gave specific examples of such opportunities.
“It’s critically important to show young people that faith isn’t just seen as something done one hour on a Sunday,” he said.
“We need to teach them how to pray … (and to realise) no one form of prayer works for every young person.
“(There’s) Ignatian prayer, Taize, Lectio Divina … (and) if we present various forms of prayer the hope is one of these forms will help young people to build their relationship with God.”
Fr Catchlove said “catechesis and immersion opportunities” were also “very important”.
“Coupled with those prayer experiences is the need to provide regular forms of catechesis and opportunities for young people to put their faith into action … for example, immersion opportunities where young people go to a foreign country,” he said.
While parishes “are essential in driving” such experiences for young people, Fr Cathclove said “direction falls on the parish priest” and “if the community believes young people are vital to the life of the Church, they should get on board”.
On board for the pastoral councillors’ day was Brisbane Catholic Kate Smith.
The marketing graduate spoke specifically about “youth engagement”.
“Using my background in marketing and communications I applied a lot of the techniques and strategy I use in my role as marketing manager to how we need to perceive the issues surrounding youth engagement in the Church,” she said.
Ms Smith spoke passionately about understanding “the five generations” present in parishes to be able to engage with young people.
She also said use of up-to-date social media was the “key to communicating with youth” despite the fact it (social media) “can be a bewildering maze” to some.
Mrs Norris said participants gave many “glowing” comments from the experience and especially of input from Fr Catchlove and Ms Smith.
Surfers Paradise Parish Pastoral Council deputy chairperson Jenny McDonald said the day “highlighted … that youth ministry is more than just about the youth – it is about our attitudes and our approach to our engagement with them”.
