World Youth Day 2016: A Candle Lit in the Darkness

What kind of world do we really live in? If we attempt to answer that question by watching the nightly news, surely we’d come to the conclusion that our world has gone off the rails. The ubiquity of random and senseless violence, the absurd comedy of our political zeitgeist, the perverse affront to human dignity at every turn – it seems as though the human condition is totally if not irreparably depraved.

This is certainly how I was feeling about the world when I stepped on the plane a few short weeks ago. I honestly thought to myself (because surely I would never voice such a radical opinion out loud) that this must be the beginning of the end. This is the final and farcical finale before Jesus returns and sets everything straight (and leave it up to Jesus to time his return with the Cubs fated victory in the World Series). Frankly I welcomed the idea. Feeling so powerless in the face of evil, I yearned for the day when sanity could be restored and love could triumph once and for all.

Then something happened.

I took a journey, a pilgrimage, that allowed me to see beyond the matrix of fear and helplessness. Arriving in Krakow, Poland I lifted my gaze to see other pilgrims, two million of them to be exact, on a similar journey of the spirit. They too had left lands where violence and brutality had ripped apart their homes, their families, their peoples. They too had come to Krakow to see if divine mercy really had a place in this world, if this Jubilee Year of Mercy was more than wishful thinking amidst the “real world” of callous inhumanity.

World Youth Day restored my faith in God, in the Church, and in the larger narrative of redemption in human history. One moment in particular marked the turn in my mind. It was the Saturday night Papal Vigil. We had hiked eight miles out of Krakow, under intense summer sun, to reach the dusty plains of Campus Misericordia – the “Field of Mercy.” That night two million young people lit candles and knelt in prayer, lifting their hearts to Jesus, united as one people of God, commiting their lives to mercy, to forgiveness, to love. Two million faces illumined with the spark of hope. Two million hearts turned to Jesus. Two million lights cast out the darkness.

In that moment I realized once again that there is no greater power, that our present sufferings are nothing compared with the glory that will be revealed to us. In that moment I was reminded of the words of St. Paul, the patron saint of missionaries and evangelists, that “neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ro 8:38-39).

What kind of world do we really live in? God’s world. And we are his children. We are ambassadors of hope and heralds of the kingdom where nothing (and I mean nothing) can separate us from the love of God that we know through Jesus Christ. Though in the world we may have trouble, let us take heart, today and always, echoing the words of St. Faustina Kowalska, Polish nun and mystic, “Divine Mercy, inspiring hope against all hope, I trust in You.”

Synergy in Syracuse: A Model of YL-Catholic Collaboration

Two weeks ago, I had the great privilege of attending an ordination ceremony in Syracuse, New York. But this was no ordinary ordination (as if any ordination is). On May 14, my dear friend and colleague Nathan Gunn became the first Young Life staff person ever to be ordained into the permanent diaconate of the Catholic Church.

Immaculate Conception Cathedral was packed. The excitement was palpable as the trumpets blared and the angelic choir sang the processional hymn, “Christ be our light! Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness.” Nathan’s lovely wife Tammy, his two teenaged sons, and a whole entourage of friends and family - Young Life staff and volunteers, Protestants and Catholics, kids and adults - joined Nathan in prayer, song and reverence. Goosebumps flushed through my skin as the Gloria rang out, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will.” I glanced over to see Nathan fighting back the tears only to find myself caught up in the emotion too. The gravity of the occasion weighed heavy on my heart. This man was about to be ordained as a permanent sacramental sign of Jesus Christ, the Lord, who came “to serve and not be served.”

Young Life has been in Syracuse for a long time, but under Nathan (now Deacon) Gunn’s leadership the Catholic Church and Young Life have become real partners in reaching kids for Christ. Notre Dame graduate Brigid Clary is the youth minister at Holy Cross Catholic Church in town. She says, “I couldn’t do my job well if Young Life was not in Syracuse. They’re already in the hallways and at the ball games. YL leaders not only set an example of how to enter into the lives of kids, but they are constantly inviting me into it!” Further articulating the relationship, Clary comments:

Young Life staff and Catholic ministers have a real opportunity to be true partners in the mission.  It is challenging as a youth minister to focus both on evangelization and discipleship. With Young Life’s mission of reaching every kid, evangelization is happening already. New students are encountering Jesus every day thanks to the passion of Young Life leaders. The question to ask is, now what? And I think that is where the Catholic Church can step in.

Stephanie Cawley, a Young Life area director in North Syracuse, agrees. “Young Life is great at being on the “turf” of adolescent culture,” she says. “The Catholic Church is great at offering kids a home that will nurture them beyond their high school years.” A practicing Catholic herself, Stephanie recognizes the strengths that both Young Life and the Church bring to the table. “Young Life excels in building relationships. The Church excels in sacramental and liturgical living. Both are so valuable as we journey with Christ.”

Part of Young Life’s success in Syracuse has been their commitment to reflect the communities they serve. In a metro area that is over 62% Catholic, that has meant being intentional about inviting Catholic committee members, volunteers and staff into the ministry of Young Life.  Nathan says, “At the heart of incarnational ministry is being representative of the community we serve.  As a Mission, it’s both a great challenge and blessing to find ways to integrate into the worship lives of all the churches we work with.”  That integration has led to many practical and fruitful collaborations:  combined Wyldlife Clubs, extensive sharing of YL Camps for Summer and Weekends, Catholic Churches hosting Campaigners, a 10-year tradition of taking high school students to serve in rural El Salvador, the creation of an inner city summer service opportunity… the list goes on and on.

Leanne Sherwood, YL area director in Syracuse East, believes that Catholics should be considered as potential partners in Young Life’s mission in every area:

If we never invite Catholics into the ministry of Young Life, we’re really missing a whole segment of the Church. We’re not utilizing a huge part of the body of Christ. By having Catholic staff and volunteers on our teams, we’re living out the bigger picture of the kingdom of God. I can’t overstate how valuable this is and how much of an impact this can have on your local area!

This is particularly true in areas where Catholicism is so prevalent. In places like the northeast or the southwest where as much as 98% of the population is Catholic, one can hardly imagine an effective ministry strategy without the Catholic Church. Cawley says, “Syracuse has a large Catholic population. At least half of our ‘churched’ kids grew up in the Catholic Church. Being on the same team as we reach kids makes both Young Life and the Church more effective.”

Our staff in Syracuse are dreaming the big dream. What if Protestants and Catholics came together to lift teens up to Jesus? What if the relationship between Young Life and the Catholic Church was marked by mutual support and prayer, healthy communication and shared victories, comfort in suffering and continual growth in love and humility? The dream is becoming a reality and we tip our hats to Deacon Gunn and the rest of the YL Syracuse crew who are making it happen.

Second Catholic Bishop Signs Missional Agreement With Young Life

On Monday, April 25, the Most Reverend William Francis Medley became the second U.S. Catholic bishop to enter into a collaborative agreement with Young Life to reach a world of kids together. Nearly one year after a similar agreement was reached in Brownsville, TX, the Diocese of Owensboro, which covers the western third of Kentucky, acknowledged “the simplicity and purity of the mission of Young Life” and highlighted Young Life’s methods – going where teens are, building real relationships, and earning the right to be heard – as inherent to the Catholic tradition and essential components of the new evangelization.

“This agreement is so important,” noted Melinda Prunty, Director of Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Owensboro. “We might do well with those kids who come to us, but we need help reaching those kids we don’t even know are out there.” Melinda played a critical role in the nearly three-year process that culminated in Monday’s signing. “We have so much to learn from the deeply relational approach to Young Life’s ministry,” she continued. “This is about introducing kids to Jesus and helping them grow in their faith. I pray that our Catholic clergy and youth ministers see the broader vision and walk side-by-side with Young Life.”

Chris Dillbeck, the local Young Life area director in Owensboro, has been a tireless force for bridge-building since he started Young Life there in 2012. His winsome spirit and ecumenical vision forged relationships that transcended denominational affiliation. One former youth minister in the diocese, Danny May, tells the story with great joy and wonder. “Three years ago, Chris walked right into my office, introduced himself and to the ministry of Young Life. From our first conversation, I could see that he was building bridges with the Catholic community.” Since then, the two have become good friends and partners in the mission to reach lost kids. “Young Life enabled me to reach students in the public schools that I would not have had without Young Life. That’s why I volunteered to help Young Life freshmen orientations and club events. That’s why my wife and I support Young Life to this day.”

Dillbeck believes this is more than a practical agreement to reach kids. “This is another step in unifying the Bride of Christ, the Church. I truly believe this pleases the Lord.” He also hopes it will draw more Catholics into a permanent state of “going out”, putting everything in a “missionary key,” as Pope Francis has exhorted. “This agreement opens the door for Catholics to be a part of this dynamic mission, and gives us a template for partnership moving forward,” he said.

Paula Schmidt, Coordinator of Religious Education at St. Pius X in Calvert City, could not be more excited about this new spirit of partnership. “When I first heard about Young Life coming to Kentucky, my first and only thought was ‘AWESOME’!” Paula was raised Catholic, attended Mass with her parents, and eventually got confirmed. “But my experience with Young Life helped me see my faith in a new light,” Paula says. After attending many weekly Young Life clubs, she went to summer camp at Frontier Ranch in Colorado. “Young Life planted a seed of faith and helped it to grow. That same faith is now flourishing as I serve the Church today!”

Brett Hersma, Young Life Senior Vice President over the Midwest Division, attended the historic signing in Owensboro and concluded by saying, “This agreement helps to formalize what we already believe – we all care deeply about kids, and we want them to be alive in their faith. It’s important for more communities to see that Young Life and the Catholic Church are making strides in working together for the sake of Christ and kids.” Our prayer is the same as that which Jesus prayed on the night before he was betrayed, that we may be one, so the world would know Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Every kid, everywhere, for eternity.

Chris Dillbeck (left), Michael Havercamp, Bishop Medley, Brett Hersma, and Jack Nikcevich

Introducing Marisa Avramovich: Our Newest Member of the YL-Catholic Relations Team

Marisa, her husband Dave, and daughters Katie and Ella

The movement of the Holy Spirit continues to deepen the relationship between Young Life and the Catholic Church around the country. In response to God’s leading and the growing demand for YL-Catholic collaboration on the west coast, I’m happy to introduce Marisa Avramovich, who officially joined the Catholic Relations team this month. Marisa is a beautiful spirit, a native Californian, and a practicing Catholic with Young Life experience dating back to her childhood. She has already hit the ground running in her role to facilitate deeper relationships and practical partnerships with Catholics in the western United States. Please help me welcome her aboard!

“My upbringing as a Catholic was a central part of our life,” Marisa explains. “It really set a great foundation for my life.” Growing up her family attended Mass at a Catholic Newman Center in Riverside, CA where her parents were intimately involved in the lives of students. “We’d go on weekend retreats, help cook food, and facilitate the weekend with the Dominican priests. Catholic liturgical life had a strong influence on how my parents raised me and my brother. It’s something I’m trying to recreate now as a wife and mother of two!”

Young Life was also a big part of her family growing up. “My mom was a Young Life leader and both my parents were involved with committee.” It all started when her mom attended Young Life club as a high school freshman.  And her dad’s first exposure to Young Life, one that changed his life forever, was, well, her mom! “Growing up with Young Life was so fun! We had club in our home. We did weekend work camps. I really got to know some of my mom’s club kids. The summer before my 6^th grade year, we went to YL Family Camp and it was one of our favorite family trips!” And her dad, who is now an ordained Catholic deacon, was all in. “My dad was really great in supporting my mom doing ministry with those kids which was cool for me to see as a young girl.”

Marisa always saw Young Life and her Catholic faith as complementary. “I was extremely fortunate to grow up Catholic, to receive such strong catechesis, and to benefit from such great Dominican preaching! This has impacted my ability to share the Gospel with kids today.” And yet it was in Young Life that the light really “clicked” for her. “It was my work crew experience. I was serving kids alongside other followers of Jesus. It was so powerful. I had such a sturdy foundation with my Catholic faith, and yet that summer something changed. I went from belief to a lifestyle. It was a springboard for my faith journey and eventually helped me discern my vocation in ministry.”

Marisa has served in many staff roles in Young Life over the last ten years. She’s worked in Young Life clubs and WyldLife clubs, suburban and urban areas. She’s been a staff associate, area trainer, area administrator, and divisional Student Staff coordinator. She left YL for a couple of years to do youth ministry at a Catholic parish before returning to Young Life after marrying her husband, Dave, who is the YL area director in Pasadena, CA.

In many ways, being married to Dave, who is Presbyterian by tradition, has expanded her vision for unity within the body of Christ. “Dave and I both love musicals,” she says, “and in particular, Les Miserables. There’s a song that says, ‘Take my love, for love is everlasting. And remember the truth that was once spoken . . . to love another person is to see the face of God.’ I believe that being married to Dave has helped me to see God’s face. We choose to love each other at our best and at our worst. The trust that comes in doing that, to me, is a direct correlation to the trust we put in loving Christ.”

“The theme of our marriage is ‘Love Always Hopes,’” Marisa shares. “We stand hopeful in our interactions with each other, our children, our ministry team, the kids we minister to, etc. I believe that in our ecumenical marriage, we, as two people who come from different faith traditions, ultimately stack hands on the Holy Trinity, acknowledging the work of God in the lives around us, hoping to help others understand who they are so that they can see themselves as children of the living God.”

“I love what Pope Francis says,” Marisa continues:

Every morning, on rising,

we reaffirm before God our decision to be faithful,

come what may in the course of the day.

And all of us, before going to sleep,

hope to wake up and continue this adventure,

trusting in the Lord’s help.

In this way,

each spouse is for the other

a sign and instrument of the closeness of the Lord,

who never abandons us.

~ Pope Francis, The Joy of Love

Marisa is so passionate about this new role. “I love both my Catholic faith tradition and Young Life, and I see how easily they can complement each other.” She knows so many kids who are restless, who feel disconnected, who want so desperately for their lives to be meaningful. “So many kids need to connect in meaningful ways with the person of Jesus. If they only could know WHO He is, they could then know how that can shape the way they live their lives. I think that both Young Life and the Church have so much to offer!”

And she’s also excited to serve Young Life staff in the western U.S. “I pray this work will help staff as they develop relationships with disconnected Catholic kids, to help strengthen their faith and plug them back into their local parish. We need to nurture lifelong discipleship in kids that won’t conflict with the faith practices of their families.” Marisa hopes to have meaningful conversations with both Protestants and Catholics that will help open doors and hearts to a better understanding of one another.

The YL tag line, “You were made for this!” certainly applies to Marisa as she embraces this important new role. “As someone who is a ‘cradle Catholic’ and who has also been raised in Young Life, I feel like I’ve been prepared for this role my whole life!” We lift you up to the Lord, Marisa, and pray that He will do mighty things for the kingdom through your love and faithfulness!

*For consultation in YL-Catholic relations in the western United States, or to simply welcome her aboard, please contact Marisa at 951-288-4584, stock.marisa@gmail.com.