Teen Parishioners Compete for Scholarships

Participants in the Youth Ministry of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Bridgeport, NY

and St. Mary's Church in Minoa, NY at a faith event

The Office of Youth Ministry for St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Bridgeport, New York and St. Mary’s Church in Minoa (also in New York) is offering scholarships this month to 4 graduating high school students. Both parishes are run by Conventual Franciscan friars and have developed certain criteria that students must meet in order to compete for the scholarships. These criteria fall under the banner of Franciscan Discipleship.

First, Graduating teens, understandably, must belong to either St. Francis of Assisi Parish or St. Mary’s Church and need to have been active in the parishes’ youth ministry.  Kristin McDermott – the coordinator of the parishes’ youth ministry – must most likely know these young people quite well.

Young people competing for the Franciscan Discipleship scholarships

must be active in their parish

So participating in youth ministry is a necessity; it however also requires a level of consistency. Students wishing to compete for the Franciscan Discipleship scholarships need to have been active in the ministry through their years in high school and not just until they were confirmed.

The St. Mary’s Church and St. Francis of Assisi Parish Office of Youth Ministry also has a certain understanding of the word discipleship, which young people in competition for the Franciscan Discipleship scholarships must embody. Firstly, they must love God deeply and wholeheartedly; they also need to care for others as well as their faith community. Lastly, it is important that these students continue to pray, grow, reflect, and serve others throughout their lives.

Maintaining one's faith into adulthood is important

Finally, graduating students interested in the Franciscan Discipleship scholarships need to promote youth involvement in their respective parishes. We cannot keep our faith only to ourselves, but must share it with others. Suggesting to friends that they come to mass or a youth ministry activity is a necessary part of our evangelization.

(Sources of all related images on webpage and homepage: www.stfrancisbridgeport.org, www.stmarysminoa.org, victorialabecki.files.wordpress.com.)