Youth ministry inspires change in Queensbury teen
When he was a sophomore in high school, Brett White said, he began to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders.
"I guess I used to think too much," he stated. "I'd worry about people around me who were drinking or doing drugs. I worried about kids who were getting in trouble. I was looking at myself and saying, 'I'm 15 years old, and I haven't accomplished anything in my life. I want to make a difference."
Through conversations with his family, Brett, now a freshman at Norwich University in Vermont, realized that he was already making a difference as a big brother (he has two younger brothers), friend and volunteer. He was also an inspiration to his father, who converted to Catholicism.
Changed teen
What partly accounted for Brett's change from worrier to involved teen was his decision, as a junior in high school, to join the youth ministry at his parish, Our Lady of the Annunciation, Queensbury.
Over two years, he volunteered at the local soup kitchen, visited residents in an area nursing home, participated in the Living Stations of the Cross, assisted with his parish's annual Confirmation retreat, and helped plan his class's Baccalaureate Mass.
"If you want to make a difference in the world, youth ministry is the place to start," Brett said. "Start small. One person or one thing at a time, and you'll make a difference."
Spirituality
Last summer, Brett, who is 17, was one of 110 teens from the Albany Diocese who attended a youth conference at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio.
"It was the most spiritual thing I've ever done," he said. "I listened to dynamic speakers. I heard amazing testimonials. Everything, including the music, was done in a way teens could relate to. I saw the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. That was amazing! People were so moved. It was very powerful.
"Something else I heard at that conference I'll never forget: We need to stop being P.C. and be R.C. -- stop being 'politically correct' and be 'Roman Catholic.' I'll take that with me wherever I go."
Toronto experience
Brett also made a pilgrimage in July to World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto to see Pope John Paul II.
"There were over 800,000 people there," he said. "It was almost like being at a rock concert. The altar was huge. There was a 160-foot cross and a huge screen. Every group waved flags from their nation, like they do in the Olympics."
"The Pope told us not worry about the bad things," Brett stated. "He said even with the terrorism and scandals, there are still a lot good things and good people out there."
The good people include his parents and grandparents, who have always "been there" for him.
"I give so much credit to my Mom for taking me to church every Sunday when I was young," he said. "I've always enjoyed going to Mass. A lot of kids my age don't go. Maybe they'll start again when they're older."