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#26 Interview JAN, 2000
St. Henry Catholic Church, Monticello, MN
Interview with Becca Walsh, a Teen Pastoral Minister
By: Jeffrey Lee

Suburban setting with some rural members including some farms.
Size of Congregation: Approximately 1700 families
Staff Size: 10 staff members, 1 pastor, and 3 members on the youth staff
Approximate number of youth per grade level: 70

Peer Ministry Description

How many trained adult facilitators work with Peer Ministry? One

How many youth are trained (or being trained) in Peer Ministry?

19 are currently trained, with 15 more coming up.

How long has your church been involved in Peer Ministry?

This is the first year.

How are Peer Ministers identified and encouraged to participate?

Personal invitations were given to all of the Juniors and Seniors of the parish, with special letters Becca wrote to the youth that showed high potential as being youth leaders.

Where and at what time of day did your training take place?

The initial training session took place at Riverwood Conference Center from 3-9 p.m. with the continuation at the church. This was done in conjunction with other parishes.

After the initial training, how often? When? Do Peer Ministers meet?

The plan is to meet once a month at night in the basement of the church in the teen room.

What is your churches' overall goal for Peer Ministry?

To use the trained teens as mentors for the younger children of the parish, especially in crisis situations such as a death of a loved one.

Ministry Uses

What are some of the ways that Peer Ministers have used their training?

There has been one-on-one mentoring with youth who have family problems who prefer not to talk with adults about their issues.

How has Peer Ministry effected the youth program?

Peer Ministry has brought the youth of the parish from a small group of interested people to a larger group of confident, respected members of the community who are highly visible. The members of the congregation have welcomed the program with involvement through adult volunteers, and financial donations, specifically the Knights of Columbus.

What do you think is one of the biggest things the Peer Ministers have gained?

The biggest thing that the Peer Ministers have gained is the respect of the community and the sense of belonging to a group that is doing something very beneficial to others.

What stories illustrate what Peer Ministry can do?

The story that best illustrates the value of this Peer Ministry Group involves the peer group reaching out to the family and friends of a 10th grader who recently passed away as a result of a car accident.

What challenges or frustrations have you experienced?

Some frustrations include several members of the youth that want to be involved in the Peer Ministry group, but fail to follow through on the commitments of being a productive member of the group.

Future Hopes and Goals

What are some hopes and goals you hope to see for your Peer Ministry group?

The primary goal is to train enough teens that they will become self-starters and keep the group growing and continuing to do the good works that have been displayed so far.

Are there any words of wisdom that you may offer others who are considering beginning a Peer Ministry program?

You can never have too much training and it is encouraged to have the church pay for another adult member of the parish to be trained as well as the youth minister. This allows for two points of view and twice as many personal experiences to reach out to the youth.