Assistant Editor
The Albany Deanery will soon have a new way for the teenagers of its parishes to keep informed about local events, get to know one another and plan get-togethers.
After attending the Christian Leadership Institute, a diocesan program that encourages leadership among teens, eight young people from parishes in the deanery decided to implement what they had learned by forming a "Deanery Youth Council" -- a smaller version of the 31-member Diocesan Youth Council that plans diocesan-wide activities for teens.
The deanery's parishes are: St. Patrick's, Our Lady of Angels, St. Casimir's, Sacred Heart/St. Joseph's, St. Vincent de Paul, Holy Cross, Blessed Sacrament, St. Mary's, St. Margaret Mary's, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, St. John's/St. Ann's, Our Lady Help of Christians, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Teresa of Avila and St. James', all in Albany; and St. Thomas, Delmar; and St. Patrick's, Ravena.
Communication
"We were disappointed in the lack of communication in our churches," founding member Lauren Conway of St. Teresa of Avila parish told The Evangelist. "We want to improve communication with our priests and others."
The group also hopes to encourage the parishes of the deanery to dialogue more on issues of concern to teens. To that end, the council, to be named CADY (City of Albany Deanery Youth), will publish a newsletter on upcoming events in the deanery, plan service projects and contact local media for publicity on their events.
Miss Conway said that the council also hopes to sponsor a youth rally for the city of Albany, and "we'd like to see a youth minister in every church, but that's a long-term goal."
'Exciting' moves
Adult facilitator Kristin Grund Barbuto of St. Teresa of Avila parish called the council's ideas "really exciting. This started with them -- their plan, their goals. They're doing it to meet the needs of youth in this area."
She added that although she has attended several council meetings, her role is strictly advisory. "I'm just watching," she said, "offering some information and suggestions."
The council's founders have sent letters to all parishes of the deanery, gathering youth representatives from each. They are now looking for a meeting space to plan their next move.
"This is the nicest group of kids," declared Miss Conway. "We really want to make this happen for our city."