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.

The Face of Unity: How Young Life and the Catholic Church Are Coming Together

“Catholics and Protestants are learning to interact with one another in gracious ways,” notes Evangelical theologian John Armstrong. “They are forming friendships not possible before. They are actually learning how to love one another.” All across the country Young Life staff and Catholics are discovering that what unites them is far greater than what divides them. In a groundswell movement of the Holy Spirit, we are beginning to experience the reality of ‘one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all' (Eph 4:5-6).

Here’s just a snapshot look at what God is doing.

Alaina Smith – Traverse Bay, Michigan

At winter weekend, we took our Catholic kids to Mass. After camp, our relationship with their parents was so much stronger. Now they see us as being “on the same team” in helping their kids grow in their faith. We take our Catholic kids to the Adoration Chapel for 10 minutes and then go out for coffee together. Their parents, teachers and our priest are so appreciative that we are encouraging them to spend time in Jesus' presence. We invited the priests to club and then met with them afterwards to talk about the relationships we’re building with kids.

Aaron “Hop” Hopkins - Eagle River, Alaska

Last year I met a Catholic woman whose son is autistic. I went to talk to her about Capernaum only to find out she runs a similar program in the parish for kids with special needs. So we decided to work together. Now she’s connecting me with the local bishop!

Pete Johnson – Regional Director, Lone Star Region (TX)

I made a major paradigm shift to see my Catholic friends as brothers and sisters in Christ, not the other side of the fence. We are followers of Christ together. I’ve paid attention to my language. I’ve become more comfortable in relationships with Catholics and have been so surprised how many donors, committee members and volunteers were active in their Catholic parish. The impact of our desire to build bridges with Catholics has CHANGED EVERYTHING!

Matthew Seifarth – Hagerstown, Maryland

After meeting Michael at AD school, I went back to my area and set up a meeting with the local Catholic priest. And it was great! A real relationship formed. I met monthly with Fr. Marty to catch up, talk about life, ministry, pray with one another. I was invited to his birthday party, a celebration of his 10 years in the priesthood, and to a diocesan discussion on The Joy of the Gospel. Through my relationship with Fr. Marty I was able to meet with the director of student ministry's in their church and start talking about ministering to lost kids together.

They gave me a key to the local prayer chapel a mile down the street from me. I go in there all the time now. The gift of being able to go to a place of the Lord 24/7 and I’m not even Catholic! That’s amazing. All because I engaged them, became friends with them, and kept showing up.

Andy Chittick – Edinburgh, UK

We have kids from Catholic schools coming to club, camp, and leader training. We are praying about starting contact work in Catholic schools here in Scotland. God open the doors!

Patrick Mollison – Grosse Pointe, Michigan

Our vision is that YL could be a venue where Catholic kids can encounter Jesus and live out their faith in the Catholic Church. I ask my Catholic students what their favorite part of Mass is. I encourage them to attend Catechism even if it is at the same time as WyldLife. During interviews with potential leaders I explain our desire to focus on Jesus and not the small differences between denominations. I specifically bring up our Catholic friends and how we want to encourage them in their Catholic faith. If leaders aren’t able to commit to that, I have stated that I don’t think it's a good fit for them to lead with us.

Coleman McIntyre – Indianapolis, Indiana

I do Young Life in a Catholic school. One of the big things I have been doing is consistent, clear conversation with school administration about what Young Life is and how it is working alongside the Catholic Church. I am proactive about reaching out to administration, making sure YL is represented by a person and not by a message online. I do contact work with them - grabbing coffee, catching up, building relationships. We respect their boundaries and honor their requests. This principal is now helping us start YL at another Catholic school. 

Rick Beckwith – Regional Director, Metro DC

I built trust by showing up at their events. When they feel like I’m not competing for their kids but trying to help them reach kids better, the door is open for mutual sharing. More Catholic parishes are calling on me to consult and help them.

Lori Kornack – Quad Cities (IA, IL)

We have Catholic kids in EVERY school we’re a part of. I’ve been learning about the culture of the Catholic Church – going to Masses, a prayer group, a women’s event. I’m trying to earn the right to be heard and spend time on their turf before I invite them into ours. It’s given me a new language to talk about YL and the Catholic Church that isn’t ostracizing but fosters connection and understanding. Then I spent a week at Catholic Adult Guest Camp with a group that changed everything. Now the priest wants WyldLife in his parish school.

Chris Theule-VanDam – Regional Director, Western Great Lakes

I’ve started intentionally hiring Catholic staff. Our staff and volunteers should reflect our communities. I always think about Catholics in everything we do and work to become more inclusive. We’re welcoming more Catholic committee members, recruiting more Catholic leaders, and reaching out to partner with Catholic parishes.

Nathan Gunn – Syracuse, New York

We’ve seen HUGE fruit partnering with the Catholic Church. Enormous WyldLife and Young Life clubs. Big increases in camping. Huge winter trip to El Salvador with tons of Catholics. We take priests to summer camp and have Mass for our Catholic kids. We’ve experienced growth in leadership and local committee. We enjoy the spiritual support of our priests. We’re taking kids and leaders to World Youth Day this summer. It’s huge.

Corey Harouff – Rapid City, South Dakota

I pray at the local Catholic retreat center all the time. It’s my favorite place to get away and connect with the Lord. It was there that I met Fr. Mark. We quickly became friends and recently he connected me with the local bishop and all the major priests of the diocese. It was incredible. We’ve created a committee and the bishop is discerning the possibility of formal collaboration to reach kids!

Joe Wilson – Harlingen, Texas

I questioned Young Life’s “expertise” when they decided to hire a chubby white Baptist kid from the prairie and send him to the Rio Grande Valley where 90% of kids are Hispanic Catholics. But when I got to know Catholics - their heart, their urgency, and their passion to reach kids - I realized that we were after the same thing.

Young Life has been plowing new ground for 75 years now. But when you stop and think about it, the Catholic Church has been doing the same thing for centuries. They have been a safe-haven for millions in overwhelming places like the mission territories of S. Texas. They are like our tour guides and we have the privilege of coming alongside them to help reanimate the faith of Catholic kids. I’m so humbled.

Bishop Daniel Flores – Diocese of Brownsville, Texas

A great number of young people today are unconnected to anything. They are lost. They need to hear that there’s somebody to help them get connected to the Lord and to the Church. That’s why this relationship with Young Life is so important. Young Life is an organization that has a long history in the United States announcing the kerygma and, through a process of friendship and accompaniment, getting teens connected back to their faith tradition.

Jesus prayed that we may be one so that the world would know the love of God. We’re working on it Jesus! One heart and one relationship at a time.

Keep It Simple, Stupid

I used to think that being intelligent meant being complicated.

It just seemed like the more complex, convoluted, and intricately byzantine a person could be, the smarter they appeared. When our culture places so much emphasis on cerebral intelligence (think of the value we place on IQ and ACT scores), it is no wonder that so many of us chase this distorted professorial image – the esoteric thinker, stroking his Rasputinian beard, waxing eloquently about something so mind-blowing and magnificent that none of us simpletons could possibly understand it.

We sit back in awe of such people, with a wonderment that approaches worship, and imagine all the good they’re doing in the world (while consequently feeling inconsequential about our own mundane contributions). “They are so smart,” we mumble, which often merely translates: “I have no idea what he/she just said.”

It seems this phenomenon can infect the Christian ranks as well. We often equate the verbose with the very smart, the opaque with the omniscient. If you really want the good stuff, we intuit, you gotta read the heavy-hitters - Aquinas and Augustine, Bonaventure and Barth, Schweitzer and Schleiermacher (no knock on any of these, by the way). When the Rahnarian run-on sentences become so long that we forget what day it is before reaching the fifth semi-colon, we rest assured that we’re really onto something sophisticated and fresh (though we haven't a clue what that is). 

It is perhaps not surprising that Soren Kierkegaard, nineteenth century Danish philosopher (and no dunce himself) suggested:

The matter is quite simple. The Bible is very easy to understand. But we Christians are a bunch of scheming swindlers. We pretend to be unable to understand it because we know very well that the minute we understand, we are obligated to act accordingly.[1]

Well, I don’t exactly share Kierkegaard’s conspiracy theory about theological reflection. I don’t think of Christians as scheming swindlers (well, at least not all of them).  But I do think he’s touching on something important.  It has to do with the relationship between simplicity and power:

Simple truths transform us.

This perennial axiom is nowhere more important than in our presentation of the gospel. It’s what Pope Francis was getting at when he said, “The message has to concentrate on the essentials, on what is most beautiful, most grand, most appealing.”[2] We should not be “obsessed with the disjointed transmission of a multitude of doctrines,” he urges. “Do not be preachers of complex doctrines, but rather be announcers of Christ.”[3]

So the question becomes, “What is the core, the essential, the most beautiful, the heart of the Christian message?” Try a few of these on for size, taken from Pope Francis’ exhortation, The Joy of the Gospel:

·      “In [its] basic core, what shines forth is the beauty of the saving love of God made manifest in Jesus Christ who died and rose from the dead.”[4]

·      “Before all else, the Gospel invites us to respond to the God of love who saves us.”[5]

·       “The joyful, patient and persistent preaching of the saving death and resurrection of Jesus Christ must be your absolute priority.”[6]

·      “The salvation which God offers us is the work of his mercy. No human efforts, however good they may be, can enable us to merit so great a gift.”[7]

·      “What is essential is that the [Christian] be certain that God loves him, that Jesus Christ has saved him and that his love has always the last word.”[8]

What Pope Francis is getting at here is of supreme importance. It’s a message that we’ve heard proclaimed and prescribed by every pontiff before him in the modern era. “The essence of Christianity is Christ,” Pope Benedict XVI said, “not a doctrine, but a person.” Pope John Paul II declared, “We shall not be saved by a formula but by a Person.”[9] “Nothing,” Pope Francis reminds us, “nothing is more solid, profound, secure, meaningful and wisdom-filled than the initial proclamation.”[10]

The point is that the most essential thing, the heart of the Christian message, the essential core of the Gospel is not complicated. It is not complex. It is not a doctrine even. It is a living, breathing reality. It is the simple presence of God among us. It has a gentle face and tender flesh. “Christian doctrine,” Pope Francis pronounces, “is called Jesus Christ.”[11]

The unparalleled brilliance of the mind of God shines forth in the humility of the stable, in the selflessness of a servant, in the scandal of the Cross. It is the simplicity of the Savior, not the complexity, which makes all the difference in the world. For Protestants and Catholics alike, our primary mission is the same – to announce, in word and deed, to each and every human being, the Person of Jesus Christ. There is nothing more important (and more intelligent).

---

[1] Soren Kierkegaard, Provocations: Spiritual Writings of Kierkegaard, ed. Charles E. Moore (Farmington, PA: Plough, 2002), 201.

[2] Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), 35.

[3] Pope Francis, Address to the National Ecclesial Congress of Italy (Nov 10, 2015).

[4] Evangelii Gaudium, 36.

[5] Ibid, 39.

[6] Ibid, 110.

[7] Ibid, 112.

[8] Ibid, 151.

[9] Pope John Paul II, Novo Millennio Ineunte, 29.

[10] Evangelii Gaudium, 165.

[11] Pope Francis, Address to the National Ecclesial Congress of Italy (Nov 10, 2015).