Patrick J. Buechi/Staff - Father Joseph Badding receives the Venerable Nelson Baker Award for consistent support of youth ministry at the inaugural “Witness the Spirit” awards gather. The event showcased the many forms of youth ministry and the diversity of the youth themselves.The Holy Spirit has driven youth to the heights of mountaintops and the depths of their own souls to find their faith. That Spirit was celebrated in an event that honored young disciples and the adults who guide them.
A celebration of youth ministry known as “Witness the Spirit” took place Nov. 11 at the Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart in Amherst. Over 200 people gathered to honor those who have made an example of their faith through service and prayerful living.
Eleven teenagers received the inaugural Discipleship Award for sharing their faith and encouraging others to live according to Gospel values. These teens serve as Eucharistic ministers, teach faith formation and/or are involved in the diocesan Youth Board and retreats teams. The new “Companion on the Journey” was presented to adults who are active with and support their parish’s youth ministry programs.
Father Joseph Badding, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Ransomville, received the Venerable Nelson Baker Award given to a priest who has demonstrated consistent and dedicated commitment to youth ministry.
Since he began ministry at St. Barnabas Parish in Depew 42 years ago, he has made sure every parish he served in had an active youth program.
“The kids here tonight were witnessing their faith and their faith was alive, not just something you go along with. It was active,” he said. “They’re good Catholics. They want to take a stand and be able to let that be seen. That’s the kind of thing I like see and champion.”
Throughout the night teens gave witness to their faith, how they found it and how it has strengthened them.
Matthew Gojevic, 15, spoke about traveling to Peru in a mission trip with a group known as Matthew 25:40. He worked among 19 youth in the Peruvian Andes mixing cement and cleaning bullpens. In his downtime he played soccer with locals boys.
“I had a great experience in Peru and did not see things quite the same way as I did before,” he said from the stage in Sacred Heart’s auditorium.
Not one to shy away from a microphone Alexia Guzman, a senior at Holy Angels Academy in Buffalo, spoke on her involvement on the Diocesan Youth Retreat Team and at large-scale diocesan events, such as the Christian Leadership Institute and the annual convention.
“My faith is who I am. I am not afraid to show it. I am not afraid to be who I am. ... You should not be afraid to be who you are. To be you in the world today takes a lot of courage. If you are lucky enough to have something unique about yourself, take it and embrace it.”
Raffi de Rosa, from St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Niagara Falls, spoke of a two-week backpacking trip he took this summer with his Boy Scout troop. On the St. George Trek in Albuquerque, N.M., he built relationships with fellow scouts based on the same search for their faith. Despite attending a Catholic high school, De Rosa said he had difficulty discussing his faith with his fellow students. Through daily Mass and prayer he felt God was aware of what they were going through, and became excited about his beliefs.
“I feel ashamed of myself because just a few short months ago I was embarrassed to share my faith. I acted awkwardly in front of my friends when somebody would ask me a personal question about my being Catholic. You don’t know how sorry I am. Now I feel like the most blessed boy alive to know what God has in store for me and for everybody. I feel fortunate because I know that God loves me unconditionally.”
Bishop Edward U. Kmiec congratulated the honorees, saying he was impressed with their accomplishments.
“It just gives so much hope to us all,” he said. “I’d like very, very much to say that you have found comfort in your faith and have deepened your faith through your experiences. You don’t give into the peer pressure that we have in our day. We have a very secular society. The culture is not hospitable for persons of faith. Churches, religion – that just doesn’t play today. As young people you’re into that very, very much. You’re functioning there. It’s intimidating. You somehow say, ‘I’m a believer, I know who I am, and I’m proud of it. And whatever you have to stay that is contrary to that, doesn’t matter.’”
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