Florida Catholic | Youth Event Needs Adult Volunteers

Youth event needs adult volunteers

LINDA REEVES | FLORIDA CATHOLIC PALM BEACH BUREAU EDITOR

Published: 02.08.08

BOCA RATON | Youth minister Cheryl Deneen said the spirit and energy that pulsated around and through her during a diocesan youth rally she attended last year with teens from her parish had a lasting effect.

“It is an awesome experience,” she said. “It brings you closer to Jesus. It opens your heart — to see all the youths so emotional and excited about their faith. I would encourage every Catholic to experience it.”

Deneen, a St. Joan of Arc parishioner, helped chaperone more than 30 teens during last year’s one-day Steubenville Florida youth rally at Pope John Paul II High School. Now, she is helping promote a three-day conference June 13-15 at Lynn University and Pope John Paul, trying to get youngsters and adults alike interested in attending and helping out.

“Chaperones and volunteers are needed,” she said. “We are handing out flyers and running announcements in the church bulletin. Everyone has their own talents. We together as a group complete our mission — bringing our teens closer to Jesus — and serving him.”

Themed “Witness,” Steubenville Florida is the first three-day conference to be presented in the state by Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio. It is co-sponsored by the Diocese of Palm Beach.

Franciscan University is known for its spiritual events, popular with teens, held on campus and across the country that feature lively speakers, well-known entertainers and dynamic priests. The 2008 Franciscan events’ theme is derived from Acts 1:8, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.”

Pope Benedict XVI has chosen this as the theme for World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney, Australia, as well.

“We need about 150 volunteers,” said St. Ignatius Loyola parishioner Kathy Twist, organizer of the local Steubenville Florida summer event, noting volunteers can offer as little as four hours or as much as the whole weekend. “If … enough people make a three-day commitment, I won’t need as many volunteers.”

More than 900 junior and senior high students from throughout the diocese along with adult volunteers and chaperones attended the one-day rally in March 2007.

“You see what happens to the kids,” said Don Rochon, a parishioner of St. Ignatius Loyola who volunteered last year. “There are moments. You definitely see God working.”

A larger crowd from throughout Florida and beyond is expected this year. Steubenville Florida is promoted on the Franciscan University Web site, and organizers are running ads locally and across the country. Youngsters and adults from as far away as Texas and Wisconsin have already registered, but so far only 20 volunteers are committed.

Some parishes are making announcements in an attempt to get children and adults interested in the event.

“We are trying to get the word out,” Deneen said about the St. Joan of Arc initiatives. “We have been promoting it with a DVD presentation. It is very catchy with the Witness theme song. It shows clips of what happened last year. It is fast and powerful.”

The Franciscan University 2008 promotional video runs about four minutes. Twist distributed copies to youth ministers and directors of religious education.

The production features highlights of 2007 conferences. Clips show lively concerts, high-energy praise, entertainment, dynamic speakers and eucharistic liturgy and prayer. The clips show brief interviews and excited youths. According to Deneen, the DVD will be shown at her parish’s Masses on certain weekends.

“We will make a 30- to 40-second (video) of our own,” said Deneen. “It will be an informational DVD with where, what and the cost. By showing it, we are hoping to get some volunteers.”

Organizers seek individuals age 21 and older who are registered parishioners.

“People can go to the diocese’s Web site to get an application,” said Twist.

By pulling up the Web site, scrolling down on the left-hand side of the home page and clicking onto the Steubenville Florida box, prospective volunteers can view the diocese’s Steubenville Florida event site. The site is full of information, online registration forms, agendas and a volunteer registration application.

“We need ushers, people to work in the bookstore, first-aid people. There is a list on the Web site,” said Twist.

Prayer ministers are also needed to pray with teens and spend time in the perpetual adoration chapel. Priests are encouraged to volunteer to celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation.

Knights of Columbus are among those responding to the call for volunteers.

“The Knights were extremely pleased at the invitation to volunteer in assisting in the Steubenville Florida program for our youths,” said Roger Robbe of St. Joan of Arc Council 13051. “It is early to have a definitive number, but the response has been very high.”

Helpers receive T-shirts, meals and refreshments. Breakfasts will not be served. For travelers and those who want to avoid the commute, accommodations are available on campus for $25 a night. The charge includes breakfast.

According to Twist, each adult volunteer gets more than a couple of free meals and a shirt to take home.

“You give of service, but you get back tenfold,” said Twist. “Everyone is so high on the spirit of the day. It is a wonderful experience.”

Those who have not undergone a background check with a parish of their home diocese must go through the fingerprinting process in keeping with strict diocesan policies that require checks on all who work with children. This rule applies to adult chaperones 21 years of age or older and volunteers. Only a background check from a diocese is acceptable.

Kit Johansen, coordinator of the diocesan Office of Serving Children, is handling checks and screening.

“It takes about 10 minutes,” said Johansen, adding it is as easy as pressing a fingertip on a screen.

Johansen will tote her portable fingerprinting machine to St. Joan of Arc Parish Saturday, April 5, for a 9 a.m. meeting for volunteers to accommodate those who need to go through procedures.

Everett Fritz of St. Martin de Porres plans to attend this year’s Steubenville Florida. The graduate of Franciscan University and youth minister at St. Martin de Porres said he has been to 20 Steubenville youth conferences, first has a teen and then, as an adult chaperone. He will lead 45 teens this time.

“It is the best Catholic youth experience in the country,” said Fritz. “It doesn’t matter if you are an adult or a youth. These youth events will inspire and invigorate your faith no matter what your age.”

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