From Tuesday, July 18, to Thursday, July 20, 26 student ministers from Brother Martin teamed up with other student ministers from E.D White, Catholic High, Vandebilt Catholic, and St. Scholastica Academy at St. Stanislaus College in Bay St. Louis, Miss. to attend a training workshop on Student Ministry. During the workshop student ministers were able to gain the knowledge needed to carry out their ministry at each of their respective schools.
The workshop consisted of many different sessions but provided free time to network with other students and to have fun. These sessions educated us on many different topics such as the characteristics of an effective student minister to working with small groups, planning school liturgies, making new committees, and planning service projects.
I attended the small group session led by St. Scholastica teacher Mr. Colin MacIver. In our sessions together, our group discussed the pros and cons of small groups. After student ministers from each school shared both their good and bad experiences with small groups, we were able to come up with 10 basic guidelines for making a great small group. We presented this to all of the members at the workshop on the last day.
Although I had previous experience in leading a small group, I learned some new ways to keep the group interested and how to make sure that the students we are ministering get the most out of the small group. I also learned how to use different icebreakers to allow the students to become comfortable in sharing their personal thoughts and feelings within the small group. Leading small groups is something that every student minister must do, and I am glad that I was able to teach my fellow ministers more efficient and fun ways to do so.
Other highlights from the workshop included fun time at the beach, a prayer experience seminar, and learning different songs to sing at different religious services. During the fun time at the beach, the student ministers not only enjoyed themselves, but also had the opportunity to socialize with student ministers from other schools.
During the prayer experience seminar, we learned about different types of prayer experiences which would only strengthen our prayer life. I personally enjoyed centering prayer, which is a deep spiritual meditation. We laid down on the floor and closed our eyes as our group leader told us a story, allowing us to create images in our mind, almost as though we were dreaming. This exercise allowed me to examine my conscience deeply using those vivid images.
Lastly, we worshiped God by singing. The songs were lead by St. Scholastica Academy and Mr. Colin MacIver who played the guitar. While it may not seem cool to sing, all of the student ministers enjoyed praising God this way. Songs such as “Lean on me” and “Oceans” were some of my personal favorites.
While the entire workshop was memorable, there was one moment that stood out the most. One night, the entire Brother Martin student ministry team gathered in a small room lit only by a single candle. As the candle went around the room, each person shared a personal struggle in his or her life. There was not a single dry eye as each person opened up. It was very emotional, and it allowed us to become closer not only as a student ministry team but as people in general.
Student ministry is designed to bring students closer to their faith, no matter what that may be. By allowing ourselves to be vulnerable with our personal stories, we were able to see that God presents each of us with many challenges in life. However, he will never forsake us because his love is unconditional.
The workshop ended with a commissioning service in which each student minister pledged to be loyal, devotional, and effective in his or her school.
—- Reflection by Brother Martin student Damon Smith, Class of 2018
