I am a 14 year old student who has gone to Catholic school since kindergarden and has always grown up with pretty strict Catholic traditions. I know I am young an impressionable (or so they keep telling me)and may get confused about things from time to time, but is that any reason to have people patronize me like I have no idea what is going on? If my older family members get into a conversation about our Cathoic beliefs or any beliefs in general, am I automatically excluded because of my age? After all Mary was around my age when she gave concieved Jesus and If God didn't tink she was mature enough he wouldn't have made her the Mother of God. So I guess my main question is : What are teenagers roles in the Catholic Faith today? I know we obviously have a role but to what extent? Do we sit back and listen until we reach 16 or 18 years of age or that so-called age of "maturity"? Is there any Bible passages that state that I am too young to have an opinion? Thanx Julie

-- Julianne (JET1289@aol.com), January 16, 2003

Answers

Response to What are children's roles in thei Catholic belief today?

Dear Julianne,

The role of young adults in the Church can be described in the same terms as the role of older adults - continue to seek God, to learn your faith, to grow spiritually, and to become holy. This is the ongoing role of every member of the Church, regardless of age; and it is by doing these things that you allow God to guide you, and to help you find your particular role in His Church. Here is a scripture passage you might like:

The LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am too young'. Everywhere I send you, you shall go, and all that I command you, you shall speak". "Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you", declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 1:7-8)

-- Paul (PaulCyp@cox.net), January 16, 2003.

Response to What are children's roles in thei Catholic belief today?

To add to what Paul said. Jesus was 12 years old when he was conversing on the scriptures with the teachers of his religion. Like 2:41-50.

As a teenager I joined 3 church groups: Catholic Action which read the scriptures, prepared people for the readings in church, and did charity work. The other YES, which dealt with more spiritual matters (more charismatic), and the Chorus. Thge First 2 groups prepared to be able to converse in the scriptures without insulting others. We used to give our opinions. Are there any groups where you live like the ones I attended and joined?

-- Elpidio gonzalez (egonzalez@srla.org), January 16, 2003.

Response to What are children's roles in thei Catholic belief today?

Elpidio- Yes there is a youth group at my church but I am not currently a member. I think of it more of a time where friends can go to baseball games or hold dances, but there is never any sessions where the kids can discuss teir faith. Is that a way of adults telling us that they don't care about our opinions or are they unaware of our feelings?

-- Julianne (JET12389@aol.com), January 17, 2003.

Response to What are children's roles in thei Catholic belief today?

Maybe your family thinks you are too young to understand. Mine began talking to me about God since I was a little kid. Now I do that with my own son and daughter at least once a week. One day when is your time to have your own family make sure you don't do the same to your kids.

-- Elpidio Gonzalez (egonzalez@srla.org), January 21, 2003.