YOUTH ALPHA REPORT – A CATHOLIC PARISH
NSCM is deeply indebted to the twenty men and woman facilitators who committed to table leadership at the most recent Youth Alpha course given at a Catholic parish. These leaders embraced this opportunity to genuinely share their faith and love of Christ without reserve.
Regarding the results of this course, there is little doubt that there is a crisis of faith occurring among Catholic youth these days. Bombarded by philosophies and practices that contradict the Catholic Christian ethic, and immersed in a culture of sex, conflict and violence, youth are easily confused as to their true identity in Christ.
When you compound this lived experience with the fact that most of their parents do not attend church (except, perhaps, on holidays), all historical moral underpinnings quickly evaporate. As a consequence, most Catholic churches have the shared experience of youth attending religious education for an historical cultural purpose (such as the reception of Confirmation), but who otherwise do not consider the church relevant, and, it seems, nor are they likely ever to do so.
The statistics from the most recent Youth Alpha course presented by NSCM given to ninety 9th and 10th grade Catholic youth (with 68 responding to the Questionnaire) only serve to substantiate this hard fact. Moreover, NSCM has placed over 1000 Catholic youth through Youth Alpha over the past several years and the statistics of this most recent course coupled with prior experience only serve to reinforce lessons learned. Underlying these statistics is the heart-breaking and wrenching reality that many Catholic youth today can barely recite the Our Father and consider the Church intolerant and antiquated. As a consequence, it is urgent that Catholic youth come to have an up-close and personal relationship with the Master.
Why urgent? Because, if these young people cannot be dislodged from their befuddled thinking, their future lives will likely lead to even greater confusion and unhappiness. And, more importantly, may jeopardize a great future inheritance -the gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus, Our Lord.
Some statistics from the recent course:
- Two (2) of the students responded that while they considered themselves Christian, they were “struggling with their faith”; one (1) indicating that some of it “seemed fake”.
- Three (3) of the students responded while they considered themselves to be Christian, they also were not fully committed to Christ.
A common attitudinal theme of these two groups would be:
‘I believe in some practices, but, disagree with others.’
- Five (5) of the students responded that they did not consider themselves to be Christian with one (1) student indicating that he/she ‘is not interested’.
The other students did not comment on the course and generally graded it poorly and came to merely observe and expend time because of a parental mandate.
- Twenty-three (23) of the students responded that they did not have a clear understanding of the Christian faith.
[Note: Following the course eighteen (18) of these same students responded that the course had now given them a clear understanding of the Christian faith.]
- Thirty-nine (39) of the students responded that they did not attend church before the course (the course did not impact this number), with twenty-one (21) reporting only occasional attendance, and only eight (8) reporting regular attendance.
From among the 39 non-church attendees some interesting comments were made:
‘I would describe myself as more thoughtful towards Christ.’
‘I am almost completely a believer.’
‘I feel like I am closer to God and understand more.’
While the above responses support the obvious conclusion that many of today’s youth are struggling with faith issues, the Alpha Course did challenge, influence and inform their thinking and produced some good fruit.
- Four (4) of the students responded that following the course they now considered themselves to be Christian.
Some Comments:
‘It helped me become closer with my faith and believe more in God and the power of God.’
‘It [the Christian faith] is clearer now.
- Eight (8) of the students responded that they would be willing to be trained to give a talk at the next Youth Alpha course; four (4) indicating that they would be willing to share their thoughts about the course with others, and three (3) indicating that they would like to be a table leader at the next course.
Some Comments:
‘The group leaders were quite inspirational and had wonderful talks/stories to share.’
I thought that it was going to be boring and I wouldn't be very into it, but I just found myself
getting into in as the weeks went on.
‘It [the course] helped me understand and get the chance to reflect on the lessons each week.’
Ten (10) of the students responded that they would like to be involved in a follow up youth group,
with four (4) indicating ‘maybe’.
- Eighteen (18) of the students responded that following the course they now possessed a clear understanding of the Christian faith; whereas, prior to the course, this understanding was lacking.
Some Comments:
‘[The course] benefitted me because I learned more about Christ than I had before.’
‘[The course] showed me how to worship and feel closer to God.
‘[The course] helped me understand a lot about Christian rules and society.
- Forty-one of the students responded that the Youth Alpha course exceeded their expectations with the common theme that: ‘I thought it would be boring, but it was not!”
Some Comments:
‘I thought that it was going to be boring but it was really entertaining.’
‘We learned a lot more than I expected, especially about how to live our lives today.’
‘I thought that is would be less interesting, but it was pretty good.’
- Fifty (50) of the students responded that they had very good to remarkable experiences at Youth Alpha (especially the retreat and the music at the retreat), and graded the course on a scale of 1-10 as follows:
• Eighteen (18) graded the course with 7;
• Seventeen (17) graded the course with 8;
• Five (5) graded the course with 9;
• Three (3) graded the course with 10.
A CALL TO ARMS
In the final analysis, the fact that so many young adults are living their lives outside of Christian community underscores the urgent need to establish youth programs which are vibrant and led by committed and professionally trained youth ministers. This effort must be buttressed by the support of committed married couples who are also willing to undergo a time of training to understand youth culture.
Additionally, such programs must be well financed, singularly directed, creative and committed to the long haul. It seems that much of the church must focus in a new way on how to accomplish the hard work of evangelizing this current generation of youth for the sake of Christ.
The older generation of Christians committed to, and who love the church, must be challenged to finance the evangelization of youth in new and compelling ways through the use of modern technology and contemporary worship to incept this evangelization. The use of video and contemporary music in liturgical services should also be meaningfully introduced into church services to attract youth.
Of course, all of this must be surrounded by personal and corporate prayer, committed to the Father, embraced by the Son, energized by the Holy Spirit, and held lovingly in the hands of the Mother of the Church.
