I remember being one who initiated the Youth Convention back in 1957 when I was a young priest associated at St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish in Fort Monroe. In those days, the parish had an active teen club of over 100 young people and we decided to get together with Catholics from other parishes. Perhaps that was the beginning of what today we call Youth Ministry.

Every parish has some form of a holistic approach to ministry to young people. That ministry includes religious education, retreat experiences, group discussions and social activities. Youth ministry is more than fun and games, it is the Church reaching out to youth at a very critical period in their lives as they grow into roles of ministry.

I'm convinced of the vital importance of youth ministry sponsored by the parish. Young people need to experience the concern of the Church for them and that the Church makes a difference in their lives. Basically they need to feel good about the Church at a time when they have questions about their faith and are beginning to make decisions which will affect the rest of their lives. In high school, young people begin to wean away from family. The new companionship they keep becomes vitally important.

The diocese has a Department of Youth Ministry under the direction of Patricia Novak. Fr. Ken Wood of Blessed Sacrament in Harrisonburg serves as Youth Moderator. Youth Ministry happens under the Office of Christian Formation and throughout the year the diocese sponsors youth retreats in programs such as Discovery and Christian Awakening. I'm convinced that every parish should either sponsor or participate in some form of youth retreats. Many do so as part of the confirmation preparation program.

Today, 43 of our parishes have a staff person serving as a youth minister. This has become imperative for large parishes with high numbers of teenagers. Parents look to the Church as well as to the Catholic School to affirm and build on the values taught in the home. Young people need one another to grow and strengthen each other in the faith. Faith does not exist in isolation. Faith is personal but also relational. Young people need to journey with one another, to live out their faith with others if they are to grow in maturity in the Lord.

I find the Youth Convention is a great blessing to young people living in rural, mountain and mission areas of the diocese. They need to experience Catholics their own age because they are a distinct minority in the communities in which they live. I remember taking 8 teens to the National Youth Convention in Philadelphia. Our youth were spellbound at the presence of 2000 Catholics their own age. Many people moving into the diocese don't realize that we have about 20 parishes with less than 100 people and a like number with less than 100 families. It is also important that young people from our large parishes participate in order to share their gifts with others and get a sense of the larger church. That is why the Diocesan Convocation in May was such a tremendous religious experience. People do need to come together to celebrate their faith.

The Youth Convention begins on a Friday evening with a welcoming program. During the day on Saturday, the convention sponsored about 12 workshops of special interest to youth and a smaller number for adults. Each day members of the Diocesan Youth Council, with two representatives from each region of the diocese, planned and conducted morning and evening prayer. I am most impressed with young people rather than adults leading prayer sessions and sharing personal reflections on the scriptures. I had the privilege of celebrating the closing liturgy with over 500 people present.

Another purpose of the Youth Convention is to form youth leaders for the parish in the future. Each parish can send only 8 delegates at the most and they in turn are sent back to reach out to the young people in their own parishes. Because of the Youth Convention, youth ministry has become a priority in our parish life and has developed over the years. Youth Ministry in turn fosters young adult and campus ministry, which has been given special prominence throughout the diocese. It is at the convention that its young people select the new members of the Youth Council for the following year. The Youth Council meets monthly throughout the year to support youth ministry and plan for next year's convention.

The theme for this year's convention was "Let's Splash in the Spirit" reminding us of our baptism, our Christian dignity and God's call to discipleship, to walk in the company of Jesus and to share one's faith with others. This year we had perfect weather in Lynchburg and it was a real treat for me to experience the faith, the joy and the enthusiasm of our youth. We all can certainly be proud of them and grateful to all who made the Youth Convention such a tremendous success.