Discussing Spirituality

[SawGodThere]

I am 15 years old and feel that I have a pretty strong faith (although I am probably in confession more than I should be). I am the chaplain of a private Christian school. The problems there amaze me. Sex and alcohol rule. I know this is true in most schools, but everybody there professes to be Christian. But they are not well-versed enough to see that things such as sex jokes and pornography are not wrong. I am not above them, I have made just as many mistakes, but I know they are wrong, and I go to the confessional. They don’t know that thye are wrong. As chaplain, I feel an obligation to help them understand why many of their actions are wrong, but I don’t want to sound like I am above them. I am guilty of a lot of sin too, we all are. How do I address this topic and help them find God when everybody else is telling them that this stuff is fine? I had the help of a Catholic Youth Group, and of devout people to guide me, and I try to lead by example (which is how I learned), but people just dismiss me as “having my own beliefs” and are careful about what they do so as to not offend me, but that doesn’t matter. They are still offending God. What can myself and a few other spiritual leaders at my school do to try to help at least a couple people find God?

 

[Tim_Kirchoff]

Welcome to CAF!

I’m sorry to say I can’t help you much- we’re pretty much in the same boat, seeing that I am also a 15 year old in a messed-up school.

However, someone once gave me this perspective on their situation. These may seem like fun pursuits to them now, but what about in 10, 20, or 30 years, when they have children of their own. They’re going to be asked about what they did when they were their children’s age. What they do today may not seem important now, but in a few years they amy look back and wish they’d done things differently.

 

[fhansen]

I am 15 years old and feel that I have a pretty strong faith (although I am probably in confession more than I should be). I am the chaplain of a private Christian school. The problems there amaze me. Sex and alcohol rule. I know this is true in most schools, but everybody there professes to be Christian. But they are not well-versed enough to see that things such as sex jokes and pornography are not wrong. I am not above them, I have made just as many mistakes, but I know they are wrong, and I go to the confessional. They don’t know that thye are wrong. As chaplain, I feel an obligation to help them understand why many of their actions are wrong, but I don’t want to sound like I am above them. I am guilty of a lot of sin too, we all are. How do I address this topic and help them find God when everybody else is telling them that this stuff is fine? I had the help of a Catholic Youth Group, and of devout people to guide me, and I try to lead by example (which is how I learned), but people just dismiss me as “having my own beliefs” and are careful about what they do so as to not offend me, but that doesn’t matter. They are still offending God. What can myself and a few other spiritual leaders at my school do to try to help at least a couple people find God?

You still have a somewhat higher moral ground because at least you’re struggling with and trying to deal with these issues. So you should be able to present a case-tactfully- that others, also, should be questioning this kind of behavior rather than cavalierly dismissing any objections to it-especially in light of Christian teachings. But as you’re finding out, it’s not always easy getting through to people-many don’t seem to care or believe they’re already doing everything right anyway.

 

[AaronsStaff]

I am 15 years old and feel that I have a pretty strong faith (although I am probably in confession more than I should be). I am the chaplain of a private Christian school. The problems there amaze me. Sex and alcohol rule. I know this is true in most schools, but everybody there professes to be Christian. But they are not well-versed enough to see that things such as sex jokes and pornography are not wrong. I am not above them, I have made just as many mistakes, but I know they are wrong, and I go to the confessional. They don’t know that thye are wrong. As chaplain, I feel an obligation to help them understand why many of their actions are wrong, but I don’t want to sound like I am above them. I am guilty of a lot of sin too, we all are. How do I address this topic and help them find God when everybody else is telling them that this stuff is fine? I had the help of a Catholic Youth Group, and of devout people to guide me, and I try to lead by example (which is how I learned), but people just dismiss me as “having my own beliefs” and are careful about what they do so as to not offend me, but that doesn’t matter. They are still offending God. What can myself and a few other spiritual leaders at my school do to try to help at least a couple people find God?

Im 16, and I mentioned the same situation to my dad, and he mentioned leading by example. At the time, I really didnt think much of it, seeing as I did not see any of my friends noticing me as an example. But lately, I think Im noticing an effect, which I have never seen before If you observe other people, they oberserve you I think and realize what you are trying to be. Sometimes I hear a suddel remark to me from one of my friends, like one time me and my friends were in a movie, and one of my friends proposed that we try to sneak into one of the Rate R movies without tickets, and then I hear one of mt friends annonce that I would not do it because I was “too moral” It was not meant in an insulting way, but I didnt realize that I was that upfront. which makes me wonder how people notice this or when Im around my friends I try to steer them clear of discussing sinful topics ( I have gotten experienced at that) Prayer is always the best thing to do, but I do find it difficult to approach someone about certain things, knowing that they dont seem to care.

 

[Joannm]

I have never heard of a 15 year old being a chaplain. Maybe they call it something different here where I live. What do you do as a chaplain? Here all the HS chaplains are priests.or other adults with degrees in Theology.

 

[SawGodThere]

Well, in our school the Chaplain is responsible for giving daily devotions to the sudent body and is ready to offer spiritual guidance and advice to anybody who asks. Because we are a nondenominational Christian school, and not Catholic (although there are several Catholics like myself who attend), we do not have a priest. There are adults who are in charge of Bible classes and for overseeing the Chaplains, but it is mostly left to the Chaplains (1 from each grade).

 

[janman55]

Never start thinking you are going to the Sacrament of Reconciliation too often. Examine your conscience often and take advantage of this great gift from God. Do not fall prey to the " everybody else is doing it" mentality. You can never justify bad behavior by pointing to someone elses bad behavior.

You and your friends are at a tough age. You will not be able to “make them” do the the right thing. Even though you do not perceive that they see your example, your perception is not important because you may( and probably are) influencing thought, choices and behavior more than you will ever realize.

Pray daily for yourself and your friends, and don’t forget that God loves you and is with you always.

 

[SawGodThere]

Thanks for the advice. Oh, one clarification. I wasn’t saying that I am stopping going to reconciliation, just saying that I am guilty of a lot of sin too. Appreciate the help!

 

[Filius99993]

I am 15 years old and feel that I have a pretty strong faith (although I am probably in confession more than I should be). I am the chaplain of a private Christian school. The problems there amaze me. Sex and alcohol rule. I know this is true in most schools, but everybody there professes to be Christian. But they are not well-versed enough to see that things such as sex jokes and pornography are not wrong. I am not above them, I have made just as many mistakes, but I know they are wrong, and I go to the confessional. They don’t know that thye are wrong. As chaplain, I feel an obligation to help them understand why many of their actions are wrong, but I don’t want to sound like I am above them. I am guilty of a lot of sin too, we all are. How do I address this topic and help them find God when everybody else is telling them that this stuff is fine? I had the help of a Catholic Youth Group, and of devout people to guide me, and I try to lead by example (which is how I learned), but people just dismiss me as “having my own beliefs” and are careful about what they do so as to not offend me, but that doesn’t matter. They are still offending God. What can myself and a few other spiritual leaders at my school do to try to help at least a couple people find God?

The best thing you can do is to be compassionate and understanding towards them. Don’t go and make it very apparent, or you’ll alienate them. But if someone drops their books in the hallway, pick them up. That simple. It takes time, but people mature. And when they need someone to go to, make yourself that person. Also, read up on Aquinas… that’s helped me quite a bit.