"Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for the believers in your speech, your conduct, your love, faith, and purity." 1 Timothy 4:12
There are three main ways that youth can be heard in the Church -by actually speaking, through our actions and examples, and through prayer. All three are important, although in different ways. In general, however, a combination of the three is needed. In addition, for the youth to be heard, we must speak and the Church must listen. At times, it seems to many youth that we are heard, but that nobody is really listening. At times, we may have suggestions or questions about our faith and how we practiceit. This questioning is not a sign of disbelief, but rather of desire for growth. In order for us to grow from this questioning, we need to be met with an open mind - summarily dismissing our questions in the face of tradition is discouraging. As a Christian Brother friend of mine remarked, the Catholic faith is strong - it is built on a rock. Our questioning and suggestions will only serve to strengthen our faith. Open-mindedness is essential - on the Church's part and that of the youth.
In order for the youth's voice to be heard in the Church, there first of all needs to be open communication between the youth and the rest of the Church. While simply going and talking to one's pastor is a great way to deal with a lot of problems, sometimes this is not enough. Indeed, we have to remember that the Church is not just priests, bishops, nuns, religious, youth ministers, and diocesan officials. The Church is all of us - all Catholic believers. "There are many parts, but one body in Christ." (1 Corinthians 12:20). For the youth to be heard by the whole Church, wider avenues of communication are necessary. The recent development of the internet and email have opened up great ways to be heard. Email and newsgroups especially make it possible to reach a very large number of people with ease. This means of communication is invaluable for organizing events (such as the DYC Forum or the March for Life). It also is a greatway to evangelize; countless inspiring stories, prayers, and statistics are exchanged daily through email. This is an excellent way for youth to actively share their faith and effectively be heard by a large part of the Church. Also, internet sites can provide important information to a great number of people while evangelizing at the same time. One of the main benefits of communication by the internet is its speed and the amount of people it can reach; inspirational pages by youth can potentially be heard by the entire world. In addition to the internet, other media present themselves as opportunities for the youth to be heard by the Church. Catholic newspapers (like the Pittsburgh Catholic) are read by a great portion of the Church weekly - adding a youth section would give youth a great way to be heard. It would also help to address a problem youth face when trying to make themselves heard; it seems that almost all of the current media attention on youth is negative. A youth section in Catholic papers showing all the positive work youth are doing as well as providing a way for youth to be heard by an entire diocese would be a very welcome giftto young people.
Another non-traditional but promising way for youth to be heard in the Church is by serving as members of pastoral councils. While these seats are traditionally reserved for adults (and understandably so), giving youth a vote or even just a voice on pastoral councils would be extremely empowering. Perhaps one or two youth from a parish could be added to existing councils. Even if they are made associate membersand not considered for voting purposes, youth would have a very powerful way to make their voice heard simply by being represented on a parish council. This would also be valuable in fostering upcoming Church leaders - experience on a parish council would encourage positive leadership and responsibility. As members of the Church, youth should be given the opportunity to be serve - even if possibly only in limited roles - on pastoral councils.
In addition to parish councils, youth can potentially be heard inother Church organizations like renewal planning committees, bereavement committees, or servicegroups like the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. While many boards may be initially reluctant to take on younger members, they will be surprised at the energy and insights that youth can offer. To actually have a say and know that you areheard and that your voice makes a difference is incredible!
One great way for the youth to be heard is through youth councilslike DYC. To have the opportunity to be heard by some of "the powers that be" inlocal dioceses isawesome; it is a chance most youth do not have. By giving youth the responsibility and the power to make themselves heard on a youth council, dioceses help create leaders in the Church and also aid the Church. By making ourselves heard on this youth council and to others involved with it, we make a positive difference in the Church-many of us have already completed projects which helped evangelize, unify, reach out,and strengthen members of the Church. Even if we only make ourselves heard to the members of the Church who are on DYC, we have touched these people and they have undoubtedly also touched us. DYC's efforts testify to the power of youth councils. Extending the idea of gatherings of youth further, World Youth Days are some of the mostpowerful opportunities for youth to make themselves heard - to the pope, no less! By gathering, praying, celebrating, and witnessing, the youth on World Youth Day speak to the Churchin a very powerful way.
Actually, while verbally communicating within the Church is an important and necessary way for youth to be heard, the old adage that "actions speak louder than words" is definitely true. By practicing and living our faith, we as youth can make ourselves heard much, much moreso than if we just talk and write and preach. Our actions, as well as the example we set by these actions, can effectively communicate what we ourselves may not even be able to find words to say. In three words; "live the faith!"
Service encompasses many of the countless ways for youth to be heard through action. Whether we prepare food for a local food pantry, tutor children in an after-school program, help a neighbor dig her car out of the ice on her driveway, or help move furniture for those in need, we speak loudly and clearly to the Church: "There are good youth. We want to help. Praise God!" We should ask ourselves, however,if we are serving others because we love God and we see God in them, and because in serving them we actually serve God, or if we are simply acting based on altruistic motives. While the latter is OK, it does not serve God in the same way and it doesn't give an authentic example to follow, and we are not heard as we should be. We must act for the rightreasons. When we love God and want to serve Him, however, there are so many ministries open to young people! Witnessing enthusiastically through these is truly one of the best ways to be heard in the Church. We can serve the Church during Mass as altarboys and girls, Eucharistic Ministers, lectors and cantors, making ourselves heard and helping bring God and His word to the Church.
In addition to those ministries involved in the Mass, there are many additional ones through which we can be heard. If we as youth happen to go to a Catholic high school, we can make ourselves heard to the Church through the many opportunities for service which are offered. If we go to a public or non-Catholic private high school, we can live as an example to those of our faith in our school. In our youth groups, we can act as examples of love, service, prayer, fasting, and community. Diocesan events offer another set of opportunities to live our faith and be heard through our actions. Especially in our daily lives, our example of faith, love, and service will be heard. These messages, lived enthusiastically by the youth, cannot fail to reach the ears of the Church.
There is at least one additional way youth can be heard in the Church, although most of us admittedly don't think about it much. If we feel that God is calling us to the religious life, we can begin on a path towards a vocation as a priest, nun, or brother. This would be perhaps the ultimate way to be heard through example, especially now that fewer and fewer youth are joining the religious.
Prayer, while sometimes overlooked, is another, subtler way of being heard in the Church. While we cannot be sure that our prayers are changing those in the Church, we have to trust that God is indeed working in the lives of the members of the Church. While our prayers are not literally heard by the members of the Church, these members are nonetheless affected (which is more than other forms of communication sometimes accomplish!). God can often times affect people who we cannot. Prayer is a powerful way to be heard - because we know for sure that God is listening! While we may not see immediate effects of our prayers, God does work wonders through them.
The final, and ultimately one of the best ways for youth to be heard in the Church is to live as part of the Church. Gathered together in Christ's name, we are Church.
In conclusion, to all youth: Be heard through your speech, but mainly through your actions. Pray in addition to both. "Preach the Gospel at all times, using words if necessary." You will be heard.
Thanks to: God, Gary, Jamie, Brother Bob, Jenny, Nathan, Ruthann, Laura, and everyone else for their help and suggestions.