Teenagers feeling excluded in church activities

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I’m curious as to how many other teenagers feel excluded.

There are so many programs for High School kids, Youth Groups and Ministries and retreats.
Well, what about us graduates? Us over 18? I already contact the diocese and the only thing I was reffered to was some kind of book club, and it’s for 22-35. I just turned 19.

There needs to be more programs for us! We are being tempted SO MUCH at this age, I would like to have a group I can rely on and look forward too, where we can work on evangelization and just talk, do retreats. But there are none, and quite honestly it upset me. I thought about going to certain meetings but they are all for people much older than me, and do not get me wrong I have no problem, but It would be AMAZING to have people my age who can relate, who are going through the same thing, for quiet introverted, socially awkward kids like me it’s hard,and I know there are many out there…

Protestant churches have more of these types of ministries.
I can’t even afford to go to a retreat. I apologize, but I really needed to vent.

We are a growing generation, and I must admit I agree that some of us are out of hand, but instead of hearing this all the time, why don’t they take action and create support groups for us late teens? Instead of just waiting for us to miraculously change, why are they not doing anything? We need to be guided!! And it’s really hard when you don’t have a group to fall back on.

I love the church, but we need to offer something for late teens and reach out.

What do you guys think?
 
This sounds like something that parishes which cater to specific Universities have in bucketloads. For a random, local example: csmatuva.org/

Perhaps you can lift some ideas from such places, maybe contact a few individuals, and see what you can get started at your own parish.
 
Why not join activities for adults (since you are one now). Bible studies would be good, join a social ministry, or liturgical ministry (lector, EMCH, usher, greeter, etc). Go to adoration, daily Mas, prayer groups, volunteer in the many services or teaching religious ed.CCD, parish council.
 
Maria1993 said:
I’m curious as to how many other teenagers feel excluded.

There are so many programs for High School kids, Youth Groups and Ministries and retreats.
Well, what about us graduates? Us over 18? I already contact the diocese and the only thing I was reffered to was some kind of book club, and it’s for 22-35. I just turned 19.

There needs to be more programs for us! We are being tempted SO MUCH at this age, I would like to have a group I can rely on and look forward too, where we can work on evangelization and just talk, do retreats. But there are none, and quite honestly it upset me. I thought about going to certain meetings but they are all for people much older than me, and do not get me wrong I have no problem, but It would be AMAZING to have people my age who can relate, who are going through the same thing, for quiet introverted, socially awkward kids like me it’s hard,and I know there are many out there…

Protestant churches have more of these types of ministries.
I can’t even afford to go to a retreat. I apologize, but I really needed to vent.

We are a growing generation, and I must admit I agree that some of us are out of hand, but instead of hearing this all the time, why don’t they take action and create support groups for us late teens? Instead of just waiting for us to miraculously change, why are they not doing anything? We need to be guided!! And it’s really hard when you don’t have a group to fall back on.

I love the church, but we need to offer something for late teens and reach out.

What do you guys think?
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At my parish, me and my fiancé have been put in charge of starting a young adults group, ages 18-39. If your parish doesn’t have one, speak with the pastor about starting one up!👍
 
In many parishes in my area, most teenagers after high school go away to college or come to Boston where the universities/colleges have their own campus ministry or utilize the local parishes. It is very challenging for people who teenagers who are not away at school or commute to school and live at home. For many churches, the next time they see their young people is at marriage preparation…if at all

I understand your frustration. It is ok to vent, but now that you’ve vented, be part of the solution. In my parish when I meet someone who vents that “the church (parish) should do…” my answer is “Was it **your solution **to the problem? And when are you going to get involved in the solution?” It may not be the most tactful answer, but it puts the onus on the other person.

You see a real need and you need to bring it up with your pastor and see what can be done to start some sort of program (perhaps you may be the one to start one) or if there are programs in your area you are not aware of operating in your area.
 
InNomineDomini said:
This sounds like something that parishes which cater to specific Universities have in bucketloads. For a random, local example: csmatuva.org/

Perhaps you can lift some ideas from such places, maybe contact a few individuals, and see what you can get started at your own parish.
Click to expand...
As a person in UVA’s Catholic Ministry, I can personally attest to this. But out of curiosity, do you have a specific university parish or is it a more general parish that’s more out of the way and outside of campus (and what diocese are you, since I’m sure the programs vary from place to place)? If it’s more out of the way (and thus catering to younger, non-college age students), you should definitely talk to your priest/youth minister about setting up a campus ministry (or at least some sort of prayer event – not just a social gathering! – for college students, like Adoration, etc.).

Also, check your bulletin and parish website – maybe there are programs for college students that just didn’t get out there because they haven’t started yet? 🤷

Indeed, I’m surprised that your parish hasn’t done anything yet if they know that there are college students living in their area! :eek: (At least, from what I’ve seen in your OP, anyway. . . . :ehh:)
 
Just remember, find a needed ministry in a Catholic church…and the Lord may be calling YOU to start it!!!

During my 20’s/30’s I was in a parish in Virginia outside DC with a fabulous young adult ministry. We had Social, Service and Spiritual components of the program and Social was by far the most active and biggest/well-attended. The great thing was that people would be attracted to the group by the social aspect and soon enough they were sitting at Mass with others from the group at Sunday Mass and attending other activities. We had a monthly calendar and newsletter for all our activities and even planned and hosted our own retreats. We married off so many of our members to each other, we never thought to limit it to being a ‘singles’ ministry. Friends I met through the group were most of my social life and it was one of the best times of my life.

If you did start such a ministry, I would suggest to begin with the Social (we would meet after Mass to go out to dinner) and go on from there.

As a diocese, where I am today, Philadelphia Archdiocese has organized “Theology on Tap”…so google that and maybe you can suggest it to your diocese.
 
If you see a need, go ahead and start something. If you don’t have alot of teenagers in your parish, contact neighbouring parishes and arrange to create an inter parish group. I think we need to keep the teenagers in our churches and your calling might be to start something. If you need some ideas, message me and I’ll give you some ressources and some hints.
 
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