By TARA CONNOLLY Staff writer
Teens from Schuylkill Catholic Youth Ministry explored and re-examined the faith during a 12-week series of interactive sessions Jan. 27 through April 7 before culminating the experience with a 12-hour retreat on March 23.
Thirteen teens participated in Alpha for Teens, a series that includes 12 episodes about the basics of the Christian faith designed for teens age 14 to 18, which sparked conversation about life, Jesus’ existence, Christianity and God’s plan for salvation.
Annie Sarlo, director of Schuylkill Catholic Youth Ministry, guided the series, which included a meal, a short video targeting specific questions about the faith and small group discussion.
“The event was a great success,” she said.
The highlight of the series, which focused on prayer and developing a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, was the retreat held on a farm in Zion Grove.
“The teens and youth ministry leadership team gathered for 12 hours of fun, inspiring talks and an evening of Eucharistic Adoration with praise and worship music, prayer and healing ministry, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation,” said Sarlo.
Guest speakers at the retreat were Christine Fauci-Wittman, licensed therapist, and Sister Mary Gianna, who survived the Columbine shooting as a sophomore student.
Both women shared their personal testimonies and encouraged the students to grow in a life of prayer.
Sister Mary Gianna, formerly Jenica Thornby, was born a non-Catholic and never imagined God would call her to religious life. But growing up without any faith she struggled with some of the most basic questions concerning human life, including what life was about, who she was and what she was living for.
Her life changed forever when she was 16 years old on April 20, 1999, the day two of her schoolmates opened fire, killing 12 students and a teacher, and wounding 23 others.
She escaped being in the library, the center of the tragedy, when an inner prompting urged her to leave school that day just minutes before the shooting, instead of going to the library to study as she normally did.
“Growing up, I didn't really know if God existed or not, or that he had a plan. What made me leave school that day? I always went to the library,” she said. “Then I remember being told, ‘God must have a plan for your life.’”
She came to the realization that God existed, leading her to a Catholic parish, where youth ministers share the message of the Gospels. Jenica became a member of the Catholic Church and went on to study at Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio before entering religious life and the Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.
“Not only did God lead me out of Columbine that day – he was leading me home on that day. He was leading me to himself,” she told the teens.
“And I wanted to say ‘yes’ with all my heart to God's plan. I realized that he had a plan, and I wanted to say ‘yes’ to that plan,” said Sister.
“Her story was a powerful testimony to the power of the nudging of the Holy Spirit,” said Sarlo.
According to Sarlo, the Holy Spirit has also nudged the teens who want to host Alpha for another group of teens.
“They have been so encouraged by their experience that they want to share it with their peers,” she said.
The series and the retreat have bolstered friendships, prayer life and a desire to learn more about the faith.
“I have felt like I’m part of a community,” said one participant.
“My prayer life has completely changed since the retreat. I met a lot of cool new people. I want to keep coming to youth ministry,” said another teen.
As Schuylkill Catholic Youth Ministry continues to expand, Sarlo said she is humbled and blessed to witness teens grow in the faith.
“Building a youth ministry from the ground up isn’t easy. I’ve met so many friendly and welcoming people in the region. A team quickly came together to support the new initiatives,” she said.
“These past few months have blown me away, and I rejoice in Jesus’ work in each soul that has been part of our ministry. I can see a culture of missionary discipleship starting to form. The Holy Spirit is on the move. And I’m blessed to be part of his work.”
