3 minute read
Meet The Found Youth Group: Walking Alongside Our Young Parishioners On Their Faith Journey
Do you remember middle school? Or high school? You may recall that the teenage years were often a confusing and overwhelming stage of the journey of life. So, as a parish family, it is our job to step up and walk alongside our young people, teaching them about our faith and empowering them to live a life of Christian discipleship. Here at St. Peter, our FOUND Youth Group has been serving this purpose for over a decade.
FOUND is a reverse acronym, meaning “Discovering New Understandings of Faith,” and is a youth group for all young people in seventh through ninth grades. While the COVID-19 pandemic has meant some changes for the group, FOUND typically meets twice a month during the school year, on Sunday evenings from 6:30-8 p.m. FOUND nights include lots of time for fun, a short lesson on a topic of relevance to young teens, snacks, prayer and more.
“We do a variety of things — we’ll do some very serious nights and some that are just social,” says Gina Bergman, Director of Religious Education. “We like to plant these little ideas, these little seeds of how we can live our faith and what can we do when there are troubles.”
And while FOUND Youth Group is only one aspect of our youth ministry opportunities here at St. Peter, it is often the place where many of our young people start their journey with youth ministry in the parish.
“FOUND is just one part of youth ministry, but it’s very important, because a lot of times, kids won’t come if they’re invited to a smaller setting or a prayer service or to volunteer,” Gina says. “Sometimes, the big social youth group is where they feel the most comfortable.
“Our purpose in FOUND is to meet kids where they’re at,” she adds. “We try to enrich their faith life and make sure they know the importance of fellowship and being there for one another.”
At FOUND, our young teens have the opportunity to build friendships with other young people who share their beliefs in a safe and fun environment. The heart of the ministry is to create a space where young people can feel welcome and comfortable, knowing they have a Catholic support system to encourage them on their journey of faith. For Gina, who has volunteered with FOUND since it began 15 years ago, it’s a blessing to see former members of the youth group come back to volunteer and reconnect.
“Some of them are 25 years old, they’re starting families of their own, and they’re in the workforce,” Gina says. “We’ve had many former kids say, ‘I was really grateful I got to go to FOUND, I’m so glad that was there for me.’ We use that as an example for the kids who are currently here so they know they can always count on their ‘FOUND family.’”
As youth get to know like-minded peers, FOUND also provides an opportunity for young people to get to know other Catholic adults who can serve as mentors and role models in living the faith.
“For teens to have Catholic adults in their life who aren’t their parents, I think that’s important,” says Gina, who has teens of her own. “It’s important for them to see us, showing God’s love and stressing the importance of these issues, so it’s not just coming from their parents or their teachers. It’s an extra person to be there to support their faith journey.”
Gina encourages all teens in seventh through ninth grades to consider coming to see what FOUND is all about. All are welcome and she encourages new students to bring a friend along, as well.
“Our hope is that youth group is a chance for them to dive deeper in their faith,” she says. “That’s what we want for all of the kids, is for them to have a better relationship with Jesus.
“Just come try it out; give it a chance and see what it’s about,” she adds. “It might surprise you.”
FOUND provides a place for young teens to connect with others who share their faith. (Photo prior to COVID-19 pandemic.)
The Found Youth Group ends each gathering in a time of prayer
