Back to Exponent Menu Printer Friendly Page   LOCAL FEATURES Friday, March 21, 2008 Bishop encourages young adults to become ‘supporting actors’ By Cindee Case Special to the Exponent BOARDMAN – The first Diocesan Young Adult Mass and Social was held Feb. 27 at St. Charles Church here. The event was planned specifically for twenty- and thirty-something Catholics as an opportunity to gather with their peers and to meet Bishop George V. Murry, S.J. Many times, I meet young adults who feel like they are the only ones their age at their parish. Others have not seen ways to connect well with the Church. As a response to these comments, my office planned this event to assist young adults in seeing that they are not alone, as well as to invite back any young Catholics who are looking to get more involved with the faith. I am so glad that Bishop Murry was able to celebrate this Mass for us. He has been inspiring so many people around the diocese, so I knew he would inspire the young adults. Bishop Murry’s homily was time-sensitive and relevant, as he referred to the recently held Academy Awards, specifically the awards given to an outstanding Actor and Actresses in a Supporting Role. “The spotlight does not shine on them, but they help drive the plot,” he said. “In much the same way, we as Christians should be acting in supporting roles for Christ.” Bishop Murry said that John the Baptist should receive the ultimate Actor in a Supporting Role Oscar, as he realized that “he must decrease so that Christ could increase.” “He shared with us the fact that we are called to follow in John the Baptist’s footsteps, to be heralds who light the way for Christ,” recalled Bonnie Buzenski, from Middlebranch Little Flower Parish. “The bishop’s homily was very passionate and insightful.” Melissa Chalker, a young adult from Vienna St. Vincent de Paul Parish, added that Bishop Murry “told the congregation that we should act like the supporting actors and actresses in life, never taking the spotlight [away from Christ], but to always be there to help the main action along to make our life a best picture.” Bishop Murry gave examples of how we can live as Best Supporting actors regardless of our current state of life. As a married person, we share Christ’s light “in dedicating our lives to another person and to family,” he said. “Single persons have time to volunteer.” And those in religious life and the priesthood dedicate their lives to community, adding that there may be people in the Church right now that are waiting to be invited to pursue a vocational call to the priesthood or religious life. “I think the thing I most enjoyed about this event,” added Buzenski, “was worshiping together as a community of young adults as well as meeting many new people, which will hopefully be long-lasting friendships. I was so excited be able to celebrate the Eucharist with people my own age who actually wanted to be there.” Chalker added, “Church is important to me because it is a more formal time to be with Jesus. I like to celebrate [at] Mass through the music and songs we sing. When I sing, I feel closer to God, feeling that I am contributing in a way, even if I am just one voice.” More than 70 people came from Ashtabula, Mahoning, Stark and Trumbull counties. Father Shawn Conoboy, associate pastor at St. Charles, concelebrated the Mass, and Deacon Mike Kojancic, also from St. Charles, served as master of ceremonies. Various young adults from Mahoning and Stark counties served as liturgical ministers. Natalie Wardle, youth minister at St. Charles, said she was “privileged to host this event, as it was a good opportunity to reach out more to that age bracket in our own parish.” During the social, attendees could pick up flyers and information regarding events and programs that may be of interest. They could also complete a “Young Adult Census Card,” which the diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry will use to assist parishes and deaneries in preparing future outreach and events. Jennifer Jablonski, Youngstown St. Edward parishioner and coordinator of Youth Ministry at Massillon St. Mary Parish, noticed that “The people who attended were all very different in many ways – personalities, job situations, education, and experiences – but all shared faith in God and a desire to deepen that faith.” Devin Linehan of Geneva Assumption Parish was grateful for the event, and kindly took time to send an e-mail afterwards to thank “the St. Charles Parish Council members and parishioners, as well as the Diocesan Office of Youth & Young Adult Ministry, who all gave generously of their time and talent to make this happen. It’s nice to see new and different activities involving young adults in our diocese.” “I heard a lot of comments from other people, too, about how much they appreciated the bishop being there to pray and talk with us,” Jablonski added. “I would love to see this become an annual event so that more young adults might come and benefit from it as much as I could see everyone there did.” For more information on young adult ministry, please contact Cindee Case, ccase@youngstowndiocese.org, or call 330-744-8541, ext. 280. Cindee Case is director of the diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry   Back to Exponent Menu Printer Friendly Page   Other Articles of 2008   Please visit the Catholic Exponent new Web site: www.cathexpo.org   FFC speaker lists surprising mega-trends for Church worldwide   Paulines’ stpaulstube.com Web site up, running, getting response   Bishop Murry: Charity is most important of deacon’s three ministries   Diocesan library/media center has resources on vocations   Mission trip to Mexico touches St. Robert parishioners   Cavs look to bounce back from first-ever losing season   Diocesan educators honored for years of service   New class of permanent deacons set to be ordained   Diocesan high schools update facilities, announce new staffers   IHM teens help rebuild New Orleans, learn life lessons   Enrollment for diocesan schools expected to remain the same   Youngstown native Leschinsky takes perpetual vows as Salesian   Mantua St. Joe group repairs home in southwestern Virginia   Conneaut St. Mary/St. Frances merger to be celebrated Aug. 24   St. Clement School in Navarre will not open for 2008-2009   Picnic promotes camaraderie among diocesan seminarians   Sacred Heart of Mary Parish celebrates 175 years   Groups from diocese help New Orleans with rebuilding process   Louisville group helps build new ‘Carter’ home   Office of Lay Ministry Formation set to begin 14th year   Nun’s talk on media calls for ‘communication, not control’   Six-part series on poverty, racism used World Café format   Retired priests — They value their vocation, like to be busy, need to feel needed   Four priests appointed deans; three other priests reappointed   E. Liverpool St. Ann soup kitchen marks 20th anniversary   Youngstown Mt. Carmel Parish celebrates 100 years   OLMC dedicates bronze ‘Italian Immigrant’ statue   WILB AM 1060 breaks ground for new transmitter, tower   Diocese honors 181 married couples during Mass at St. Columba   St. Nick’s principal winds up 50-year career in education   Sisters of Notre Dame to honor jubilarians at two events   Bro. Johnson, Yo. native, to mark 50th with Holy Cross   Kohl named Mooney hoops coach   Workshop on new immigrants shows challenge, opportunities   Msgr. Zuraw named to administrative post; new assignments announced for 10 priests   Youth, adults honored at annual diocesan Mass for scouts   Canton St. Anthony’s spirit, ministries flourish on 100th birthday   Bishop to ordain Christopher Henyk as newest priest May 31   Ursuline Sisters to install new leadership team June 1   Eleven Sisters of the Humility of Mary celebrate jubilees   What the liturgy tells us about Mary   Diocesan high schools to hold commencement and baccalaureate at various sites   Diocese accepting donations to help Myanmar cyclone victims   Muslims and Christians: Overcoming a gulf too wide to straddle   Diocese announces 2008 Golden Apple Award winners   FFC speaker: Catholics must acknowledge ignorance of Islam   Women’s Spirituality Day draws 165 to Ursuline Center   Sister of Joe Kaluza, best friend struggle to find hope   New ministerial assignments announced for five diocesan priests   Bishop Murry on papal visit: ‘I thought it was excellent’   24 teens to be honored with ‘Eagle of Cross’ April 23 at OLMC   ‘First Step for Change’ effort at parishes to begin May 3-4   Bishop’s Appeal for Charities/Church seeks to meet increased needs   Meyer Lecture speaker to address ‘interfaith dialogue’ May 12   High school proms are a sure sign of spring   Pope Benedict in America   Bishop at Chrism Mass: ‘All have a role in salvation drama’   Key to immigration reform lies in principle of solidarity   ‘As we prepare to celebrate’…The Introductory Rites   At 70, long journey to Catholicism nearly complete   Choosing a Confirmation name reflects new Catholics’ viewpoints   Bishop encourages young adults to become ‘supporting actors’   Ursulines, HMs to offer workshop on diversity April 10   Catholic Web sites   New diocesan Presbyteral Council formed with 17 members   Bishop’s visit to classrooms is high-energy encounter   Parishes offer missions, prayer experiences for Lent   Sebring St. Ann Parish will mark 100th anniversary   Reaching young adults   Text of Bishop’s homily on Diocesan Religious Appreciation Day   Bishop shares challenges, opportunities with luncheon audience   Church Overseas combined collection set Feb. 16-17 in diocese   Bishop announces comprehensive study of diocesan parishes, schools   Immigration panel discussion set Feb. 17 at Canton St. John   Mooney presents Distinguished Alumni Award to Frank Courtney   St. Thomas Aquinas inducts four Distinguished Alumni   Entering into the Scrutinies at Lent   Bishop on MLK: ‘Embrace the opportunity to complete his work’   Bishop on pro-life: ‘Never let our voices be diminished’   ‘Intentional courtesy’ focus of First Friday Club speaker   Enter Expo’s ‘A Night at the Movies’ contest   'The Mass is ended, go in peace’…doesn’t mean it’s over!   ‘The Mass is ended, go in peace’…doesn’t mean it’s over!   World Day of Consecrated Life to be celebrated Feb. 3   Youngstown cardiologist set to begin work with world’s poor   Past Articles From 2007