Youth leadership training camps....

by Bill Casey

Over the past summer many youth have come for leadership training. The summer camps help to provide basic leadership skills as well as being fun too! As the youth return to their parishes in the fall, it is the hope that they can share their skills with others.

This past summer two of the camps were held at the Center for Youth Ministry near Renville and the other camp, Region VIII Leadership Camp, was held in Marshall at Southwest State College. Region VIII Camp had never been held in the diocese before so this was a great experience. Teams of youth from around the diocese gathered with teams from Minnesota, North and South Dakota. Bishop Nienstedt came to celebrate liturgy with the group on one of the days.

Training youth to be leaders is an important task in youth ministry. We want trained and competent leaders in the Church of today and the future as well. To be adult parish leaders, young people must be encouraged to get training and be provided with the means to get there. The benefits will come right back to the parish. We are preparing for future generations and have some great youth in the New Ulm diocese willing to give a hand as they get necessary skills and begin to

feel competent. The right amount of guidance by adults can make the difference. As adults recognize that youth are willing to contribute through their service, we need to respond and to affirm their work.

Bill Casey is the director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of New Ulm.