The Ark

By Ginny Guarnaccia
Ginny Guarnaccia is a member of Saint James Parish, Mason, and is the retired Research and Staff Assistant from the Office of Pastoral Planning for the Diocese of Lansing.

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INTRODUCTION:

Envision a group of young people — high school and college age — who are enthusiastic about the Church, Scripture, and good fellowship. Add a dynamic youth minister and you have a good insight into the youth program at St Mary Parish in Westphalia. About six years ago, Craig Pohl, youth minister at that time, identified the need for a special place where the young people of St Mary Parish could gather for prayer, study, and social activities.

An older building near the church was available to rent and ‘the rest is history’. Utilizing this empty building for Youth Bible Study marked the early beginnings of the ARK. Bible Study groups were experiencing increased attendance as interest in sharing the Word grew among the youth. By coincidence, the rented building they were using was listed ‘for sale’. As the opportunity to purchase this building presented itself, the people of St Mary rallied with their support and generosity so that the building eventually was completely paid for by donations and an occasional low-key fund-raiser. The majority of St Mary parishioners realized the merits of this project and were willing to help in any way they could. Typical as with many parish projects, some parishioners were skeptical and others had no interest at all. Overall, the project successfully accomplished its goal.

BACKGROUND:

The building was purchased and floor plans were approved for the interior to accommodate the varied activities of the parish youth. The downstairs was divided into two main areas:

1) The café comfortably seats 14 people with extra standing room (about of the entire floor). A variety of ice cream is sold in the café including flurries and sundaes. Many kinds of fried foods are also available.

2) A large game room is featured in the remaining third of the floor. A smaller section serves as a meeting room.

Part of the upstairs provides a quiet space for prayer, meditation, and reflection in the chapel — a time away from the day’s frantic pace to focus on the presence of God in one’s life and in all things. A separate room is available for large group meetings. Future plans for this meeting room include: inviting speakers to address various topics of interest, featuring a movie night, or simply being a place to "hang out".

OPERATIONAL DETAILS

The café is open on Thursdays and Sundays from 6-10 pm and on Fridays and Saturdays from 6-11 pm for all area youth. On any given night, there are between 10-40 youth who come to the Ark.

Not exclusively a drop-in center, the Ark has also been an ideal location for youth programs. Tuesdays from 3-5:30 pm are reserved exclusively for Junior High students to gather at the end of their school day. Special summer hours are Monday through Thursday from 4-10 pm and Friday to Sunday from 4-11 pm. The majority of the time, high school students staff the Ark. Two college students serve as "supervisors" and the parish Youth Minister is usually there.

Bills for utilities, maintenance, and routine upkeep is primarily financed through voluntary donations as there is not a formal parish subsidy to support the Ark. Any excess funds are reserved for youth group activities. Another major contribution to financial support is the popular Breakfast Burrito sale on Friday mornings. As a rule, sales are brisk. This ongoing fund-raiser provided by Diane Bertram helps with some of the costs for the Ark’s projects and activities. A major fund drive is currently underway to create a surplus that can be saved for extra expenses in the future. Income from the café helps to fund some expenses with the hope of eventually realizing a ‘break even’ model. Currently it is very close to being self-supporting.

To quote Monica Scholtens, youth minister at St Mary Parish, "This is an expensive project but I feel when it is completed, it will be worth every penny."... and the project will be completed when the chapel, the final phase of the project, is given its final touch. The realization of a project well done will be highlighted by a special celebration on June 26th when Bishop Mengeling will gather the parish family for a special Eucharistic Liturgy and blessings on those who have so eagerly and earnestly worked to make the Ark Youth Center a reality.

FULFILLING A DIOCESAN GOAL:

Goal 7.2 of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan states: "Engage more adults in ministry with youth and young adults." St Mary Parish in Westphalia has done well in response to this goal by establishing the Ark Youth Center and its Advisory Council. Under the leadership of Monica Scholtens, parish CYM and coordinated by John Lehman, a young-at-heart grandfather and member of the parish, the Advisory Council meets monthly to discuss and plan activities.

The Ark Advisory Council was established when the concept of a Youth Center was first entertained. Members of the Advisory Council are "just normal everyday people". Some have children or grandchildren in the parish program; most are not retired with extra time on their hands, but are wonderful caring people who want to help provide a safe place for youth to gather.

Although the entire parish is needed to support this project, 15-20 adults work to help the Ark Youth Center on a regular basis. Others help in many different ways. Marnee Wohlfert, a young college student serves as the business manager and assistant to Youth Minister, Monica Scholtens. Her duties include maintaining the inventory for the café and scheduling other workers. Marnee is a viable presence at the Ark and has been a driving force in the success of the Ark Youth Center with her continuing inspiration and motivation.

MODEL AND ADVICE FOR OTHER PARISHES:

Parishes are encouraged to model the Ark Youth Center and Advisory Council at St Mary Parish, Westphalia. They maintain that the key factor is the need for communication. Everyone — youth to older parishioners — must be willing to engage in open discussion, listening to each other, and respecting each other’s ideas. To be successful, there needs to be one lead person with the support of an advisory council. Also, regardless of how great it is to have a youth center with so much potential, be aware that this is a enormous project that requires a concerted effort of everyone involved. The comment of one of the active adult volunteers at St Mary puts the project into perspective: "The rewards of this project will be eternal."

Assuming that a parish is unable to budget for a facility such as the Ark, interested youth can market the idea to the parishioners and once the plan is accepted, they can begin to sponsor fund raisers, write for grant money, etc. Voluntary support from parishioners can be an expected outcome of the initiative.

Other options can work as well as having a building devoted to youth activities, e.g., providing a designated room in the parish or parish center. For starter, the area can be furnished with couches, a television, wi-fi, decorations, and other items that appeal to the youth.

Finally, the key ingredient for the success of any project is the power of prayer. No project can properly be accomplished without the "assistance of God in the picture".

OUTCOMES:

St Mary Parish in Westphalia is to be commended for this innovative project involving youth, young adults, and adults — an inter-generational venture that has truly contributed to the vibrancy of the parish. Everyone is eagerly looking forward to a special event on June 26th with Bishop Carl F Mengeling, Bishop of the Diocese of Lansing. In joyful gratitude for a noble mission accomplished, they will celebrate the Eucharist together followed by Bishop’s blessing of the Ark Youth Center.

CONTACT PERSON:
Brian Flynn
St. Mary Parish
201 North Westphalia
Westphalia, MI 48894
989-587-4201