Many moons ago, I was a youth minister. I’ll never forget the moment of my re-conversion in my late twenties. I told God, “If You want me back in the Catholic Church, You’ll have to give me a platform to help make some changes.”
I’d grown up in the CCD era of the ’80s, no real youth ministry, maybe the occasional CYO meeting. Our classes were book readings, no discussions. The sacraments were requirements, not gifts to be received with awe. I didn’t grasp the gift of the Eucharist. I went through the motions because my family did. I barely passed the tests, yet I was confirmed. And yet, even without a full understanding, I believe my Confirmation saved my life. In my twenties, the Holy Spirit awakened something in me. I was drawn to Scripture, to the truth, and to a relationship with God I never wanted to lose again.
Now, back to that “deal” I made with God, He laughed. Literally the next day, I walked into a ministry fair, intending only to look around. The head of youth ministry took one look at me and said, “I need you to work with the teens. I’m putting you with the juniors and seniors.” Panic set in. If I were to teach anything, I figured it should be toddlers, I was still learning the basics myself! And teens? They terrified me. I wasn’t even ten years older than they were, how could I possibly lead them when I was still sorting things out?
Thankfully, I was paired with a seasoned teacher. I was his assistant, and was given my own section to prepare. As I observed the class, I began to see myself in those teens, the hunger to be seen, to be known, to understand. I knew now the power of the Eucharist, the presence of the Holy Spirit, and my deepest desire was for them to discover it, too.
My first lesson was on the Waters of Baptism. As I prepared, God gave me the words I needed to hear. I taught through personal stories and honest reflection. That night, several of those “scary” teens came up and thanked me. They told me I had opened their eyes in a way they hadn’t experienced before. Turns out, they weren’t judging me, they were just younger versions of me, needing the same love, guidance, and truth I had once craved.
Two years later, we moved. Within weeks, a youth minister in the new town approached me about helping part-time. A year after that, I became the full-time youth minister, leading over 300 teens. A year later, our parish program was named one of the Top 5 Youth Ministries in the U.S. by EWTN’s Life on the Rock. I began speaking at Steubenville Conferences and was invited to World Youth Day in Sydney, and then again in Madrid three years later. Yes, God laughed when I tried to give Him conditions, but He also blew my expectations out of the water.
I share all of this because of something simple that happened this weekend. A young woman from one of my first group of teens, who graduated in 2006, visited me. We’ve remained close, and are now adult friends. Before she left, she hugged me tightly and said, “You made such a difference in my world when I was young, and now I’m so glad to have you as a friend. You listen to me and remind me of who I am and what I’m worth.”
Praise be to God.
As we enter a season where parishes are seeking volunteers, I want to remind you: God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called. I am living proof. If you’re feeling that nudge but fear is holding you back, remember what FEAR stands for: False Evidence Appearing Real. Just show up for Him and watch what He does with your yes.
Blessings,
Shannon
