Sue Noma used to work with adult groups at her parish. Not anymore. Since last fall, when Sue began facilitating a RENEW group for eighth graders at Our lady of Mercy School in Daly City, kids have become the focus of her ministry. "They are so real, so amazing. You can't believe how much they've educated me," Noma reflected.
Noma and friend Maria Banico worked with Pastoral Associate Sr. Olive Kingsbury, a sister of the Religious of the Virgin Mary, to launch a pilot program for the eighth grade confirmation class last spring after learning that materials for youth faith sharing were available from the national RENEW office in Newark, NJ. Currently under implementation in nearly every parish of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. RENEW is a spiritual renewal process based largely on direct faith sharing in small group settings.
Our Lady of Mercy students had already shown sincere interest in Scripture, explained Sister Kingsbury. Since there was no formal class in Bible studies for children, the women decided that RENEW, with its emphasis on applying Gospel values to everyday life, would be a good introduction for students. It was already late in the then-current RENEW segment - called a "season" when they began. Nonetheless, 40 youngsters attended three meetings.
Noma, Banico and Sister Kingsbury conducted a survey to see if fifth through eighth graders wanted to continue in the next offering, Season Three. Fifty signed up at the beginning. During the third week when participants were encouraged to bring a friend, numbers increased. Nearly 90 youth attended one or more sessions, Banico said. Numbers, however, are only a part of the story, the women emphasized.
Early in Season Three, Banico adapted materials for the young participants.
"They needed to talk longer," said a surprised Banico, who had assumed the youth would be too shy to say much. She also split groups into smaller units, so participants would have more opportunity to share. As the "season" progressed so did the length of the meetings. One session went on for two hours - an hour past the usual time. Cars lined up outside and parents waited patiently.
The eighth grade group topped out at 22 members. When Noma suggested that it divide up, the members resisted. They had bonded strongly around common issues and wanted to stay together even when the season ended.
"It's wonderful," said Noma. "They are taking seriously." Her group has continued to meet even though Season Four doesn't officially begin until this Sunday, March 5.
Here's what some of the youngsters commented:
Eighth grader Angela Noma, 13, compared RENEW to "going to a gym where you are given the opportunity to get into shape spiritually." Since going to the sessions, the young woman said she "puts God first now." Learning to be patient with her little brother, her parents and her friends is another plus, she said.
Christian Genese, 12, says concepts such as "spiritual journey" and "seeing God in everything" have become part of his life. "There are very touching parts to RENEW," he observed. Genese recalled an afternoon when one of his friends "started letting everything out about some problems in his family." Genese said he and his friends began to realize how individuals their ages, "try to believe bad things are not happening. They try to forget that we're here on a mission."
The youth credited both RENEW and his father for "helping me see that God talks to us in many different ways. One day my dog walked by, and I realized that could be God giving me a sign."
To reflect on Scripture readings and apply them to daily life is one way, he observed, "we can bring God's kingdom closer to us. We have gone so far away from God. Look at how much war there is."
Deepening her relationship with God and her peers is the best part of RENEW for Tiffany Chinn, 14. "It has been a changing experience for me," noted Chinn. "Now I see God moving in everything I do in my life. I see God everywhere in nature."
Kevin Aguirre, 12, remembers how he used to "ask for things when I prayed." Since taking part in the RENEW process, he said, "I've started thanking Him." Feeling gratitude has impacted the sixth grader. "I see how God gives us all these things - a good home, food, shelter."
Aguirre says he is impressed how RENEW helps people "grow as a group instead of just individually."
Forgiveness stands at the top of Allyson Gomez's list. Sometimes I'd be mad at my friend. After RENEW, I'd forgive her," said the seventh grader. Gomez says the community she finds during the after-school sessions "makes me feel better." Gomez, 12, said she was baptized in the fifth grade, but had not actively pursued her Catholic faith further until recently. She now plans to receive Eucharist for the first time this spring.
Alexander Carr, 12, came to RENEW last season when a friend invited her. She decided to stay, she said. "because it has helped me to believe in God more. Now if something goes wrong, I know I shouldn't worry because everything will be all right."
Carr said the sessions have "helped me to cleanse my conscience." She likes the way RENEW "helps families and friends grow stronger together."