Youth & Vocation Ministry

In 1985, the Redemptorist central government in Rome made youth ministry a pastoral priority. Redemptorists believe it is important to get involved in the lives of young people before they fall prey to the many destructive influences at work in our society. Today, there are a number of youth initiatives run by Redemptorists helping to save lives in some of the country’s toughest neighborhoods. A large part of this ministry involves helping young people discern their own vocation in life, be it religious or otherwise.

Three Denver Province Redemptorists have made working with young people their primary ministry. Rev. Mark Scheffler, currently the chaplain at the St. Clement Health Care Center in St. Louis, devotes much of his time working with young people in and around St. Louis. Brother Gene Patin, part of the community with Holy Names parish in Memphis, TN, has taken his WEAL program (“Work, Earn and Learn”) which he started in Biloxi, MS and put it to good use helping kids in the Memphis area.

And Rev. John Phelps has helped to create one of the most successful youth initiatives in the Chicago area, called Life Directions. As CEO, Rev. Phelps and his team have been instrumental in helping thousands of young adults to turn their lives around through self direction. Over 160,000 young adults (ages 13-35) have participated in the programs of Life Directions. On average, 12,000 young adults inspire their peers through forgiving on an annual basis. Go to www.lifedirections.org to learn more about this ground breaking program!

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