By Cathy Weaver

St. Theresa’s parish in Douglasville, with about 420 families, is one of three parishes to adopt the Life Teen program for its youth.

Every Sunday, Father Hugh Marren, the pastor, celebrates the Life Teen Mass and participates in the program afterward. He has recognized the importance of being consistently present to the teens in order to minister effectively to them.

“Parishes recognize the need (of the youth) and then say, ‘Let’s hire a youth minister.’ We hire a youth minister and then sit back on our laurels expecting them to do all the work. Then they burn out. The function of the youth minister is to coordinate the youth program,” Father Marren said. “One or two cannot run the whole program alone.”

As compared to other youth programs, “this one is fabulous,” he said. “It (Life Teen) is inclusive. It is an overall program that deals with the formation and information of the individual. There is a great balance of outreach, catechesis, spirituality and music.”

St. Theresa’s Life Teen program is coordinated by Immaculata Marnell, youth minister, with the assistance of 10 core group members, teenagers and Father Marren. Mrs. Marnell also networks with Patti Jugenheimer of St. John Neumann in Lilburn and Randy Raus of St. Ann’s in Marietta, youth ministers at the two other parishes in the archdiocese with Life Teen programs.

Most core group members at St. Theresa’s are young adults, with some adults also involved. “Age is not a barrier in relating,” Mrs. Marnell said. Personal contact and one-on-one time with the teens is a plus for Life Teen in a small parish. The size of the program lets all core group members be on a first-name basis with parish teens, Mrs. Marnell said.

Keith Roman and his family moved to Douglasville three years ago. He became involved in the parish youth program then, but says he likes the changes brought about by the Life Teen approach.

“It’s not like a structured classroom,” said Roman. “We have open discussions about Lent and other topics. We also have skits that deal with teenage problems.”

Life Teen has made an impact on Roman’s personal life. “It has made teachings clearer from the Bible and has helped me relate them to everyday life.” He said he knows the core group members well who teach each week. “They talk with us and relate to us.”

Amy Holman, a freshman at Alexander High School, said the approach is more “exciting” to her than past Sunday school classes. “I learn more and pay more attention.”

Music for the Mass each Sunday is provided by parish teens and core group members, who sing, play keyboard, trumpet and flute. Teens select the music, a mixture of songs from the “Glory and Praise” hymnals and traditional hymns played with a twist. Music director is Greg Boling.

Although Life Teen creators recommend the use of professional musicians to strengthen the music in the liturgy, Father Marren disagrees. The involvement of teens in music planning and playing provides ownership and generates enthusiasm, he said.

Rus Lipari, a junior at Douglas County High School active in student government, said he has been involved in the parish youth program since his eighth grade Confirmation, but believes Life Teen “makes you want to become more involved in church.”

At the heart of the success with youth, he said, is the Mass specifically planned for them and directed toward them.

“I can’t explain the Mass. I highly recommend that you come and experience it if you’ve never been,” Lipari said enthusiastically.

“Teens didn’t used to come to Mass – they had to,” he said. “Now they want to come.”