Youth leaders learn new skills

Special to the WCR
St. Albert

Youth Leader is a new team approach to Christian leadership formation for youth and adult leaders which integrates Christian spirituality and ministry skills.

The week-long session was conducted by Dean Woodbeck of Saskatchewan and Anne Walsh of Newfoundland from the Western Canadian Ministry Support Services (CMSS) based in Moose Jaw, Sask.

The session was sponsored by the Youth Ministry Commission of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton.

Tammy Komarnisky, youth ministry coordinator, was very pleased with the turnout and success of the program.

"It was great to see a representation of both Ukrainian and Roman Catholics and also to have youth and leaders from across Western Canada," Komarnisky said.

The CMSS team and the retreat house are booked for a similar event next summer, she said.

During the five-day institute, the youth, along with one adult from their parish team, were presented topics such as:

. Preparing youth to take leadership of their lives and choices.

. Training youth to be leaders in parish or school ministry programs.

. Forming youth to bring their Christian values to their leadership role in Church, school and community.

. Developing a network of support for youth leaders in their own faith community.

By participating in this program, parishes or schools which sent teams are helping to build a new generation of Christian leaders to share the unique gifts of youth as disciples.

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