Regina Willis noted that while she enjoys her involvement in youth ministry, the Catholic Church could still stand a few changes in dealing with her age group.
"Mass is really boring sometimes," she remarked. "It's getting better, with more contemporary music, but a lot of older people aren't accepting of youth ministry." As a result, she said, sometimes teens "don't feel a part of things."
However, Regina added, the Church is working on its issues with teens. Her own parish has made religious education less like a class in school and more discussion-oriented, and she sings in a youth choir at Mass when she has time.
She hopes that parishes don't try to reach her peers by holding activities only for teens. Last year, for example, she attended a Valentine's Day dinner dance for the entire parish and liked the experience of mingling with adults.
"You've got to interact with the whole community," she declared. (KB)