Some of the best ideas come from the Dominican Pillar of Study. Nancy Thier is in formation with the Lay Dominicans. During her study, the Holy Spirit has inspired her; read her vision.
YOUTH CALLING FOR HELP
The paramount need in the Church currently is keen and clever attention to our youth’s social, spiritual, and emotional development. Our youth desire true mentors, support groups and activities that allow them to thrive in their faith instead of struggling to maintain their faith within the secular world. Graduating high school youth who are relocating drop out of our faith at an alarming rate.
Generally, high school graduates continue as students or join the workforce. For once, they have the autonomy to choose or deny their Catholic faith. Each of us can identify youth who have chosen to proceed into the beginnings of adulthood while abandoning their faith. What a tragic loss! Why is there not a system within parishes to support these young adults at such a key time in their lives?
Such a system could include a “Small Group” with selected members, or “Buddies”, who would be assigned to each new young adult moving into the area. This “Small Group/Buddy” system would promote the social interests of young adults. When a high school graduate moves beyond his parish, the home parish would pass on basic information about the young adult to the new parish, so their “Small Group/Buddy” system would contact the new graduate.
This “Small Group/Buddy” would consist of active members in the parish young adult social group. Each new member would be assigned a “Buddy” to introduce him/ her to the parish, its youth activities, and his/her “Small Group.” The “Small Group/Buddy” would welcome the young adults before their arrival and set up a plan for integrating each one into their new environment – especially a new Catholic group of friends. The “Small Group/Buddy” would continually keep in touch with new members for at least a year to assure they establish a strong identity with the young adult social group. This social network system would also work for young adults relocating after completing college or moving into the workforce.
Conclusion
God made us to be social beings and Jesus demonstrated how to be social in the likeness of our Heavenly Father. As our youth develop their own individual selves, we are obliged to foster their integration into a Catholic social milieu providing them stronger social ties than they typically find in their secular schools. Every new student needs a buddy and they will find one, whether we assist them or not. Will this new buddy encourage them in their faith? As Lay Dominicans, concerned for the salvation of every soul, we should begin a pilot study between our high schools and colleges on this “Small Group/Buddy” system so not one young adult would be lost.