LEE: New Year, new perspective

“He is with us” may seem like a basic concept of Christianity, but it is essential to the understanding of faith. As we encounter difficult times, the hardships overwhelm us. Our struggles surface emotionally, physically and spiritually. The youth of Special Youth Services (SYS) are amidst these experiences every day. We have all experienced these feelings at one point or another. For many of us, it is our faith that guides us. “Footprints in the Sand” provides a beautiful allegory of walking with God through our human journey.

The obstacles placed in front of these young people would find many adults overwhelmed. Yet, these youth are resilient and open to the light and love of God. Young people have a remarkable gift of being able to know God without intimately knowing Him. It is usually in our adulthood that we truly begin to know Him.

SYS provides an opportunity for those “in the free” to share and model their faith by sharing in another person’s experience. When we visit those on the margins, we are invited into a sacred space where the Holy Spirit does His mighty work. Our volunteers are gifted with seeing the face of Christ through the children.

Many viewing the ministry from afar may see adults ministering to kids, but we minister with them. “With” is the correct word. When we open the Word and explore it with the youth, it offers us new understanding, perspective and compassion. These experiences are often followed by a youth stating, “I’ve never thought about it like that before.”

When I hear this, it always catches my attention and prompts me to listen more intently. Their fresh perspective is where our religious study and spiritual implementation meet.

In much of our religious study, we learn things that expand our consciousness, provide insight into our minds, express our inner thoughts, or provide understanding in ways that transform our very being. Our academic understanding assists us in maintaining and nurturing our spiritual lives.

Fortunately, life events distract us from our connection to the spiritual, to one another, to Him. I say fortunately because these hardships can also be an opportunity for introspective growth and to learn from our little brothers and sisters by saying, “I’ve never thought about it like that before.”

In this new year, I would invite you to seek where God is calling you to serve and consider serving with SYS. There are many opportunities with SYS to assist you in discerning your call. For example, the Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition offers foundational training. The program offers different tracks for those called to minister to the detained and imprisoned. Participants are guided through videos and reflection questions, allowing opportunities for discernment, faith sharing and empirical realities of this type of service.

Those who experience the training have often responded, “I’ve never thought about it like that before.” 

Franchelle Lee is the director of Special Youth Services.

(A mosaic details the Sacred Heart of Jesus at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Hitchcock. Photo by James Ramos/Herald)