By
Jackie Giacone
I recently had the opportunity to meet the new Youth
Minister, Amy Kuebel. We spent time discussing her background, the
importance religion plays in her very active life, and what brought her to
St. Agnes. She also talked about the activities of the youth ministry and
the group’s plans for the future.
Like many talented performers, Amy who grew up in
the
Midwest
, wanted to “be a star on Broadway.” After graduating with a degree in
music education from the
University
of
Illinois
, she moved to
New York
. And unlike many talented performers, Amy actually found work. However,
she realized she was different from other performers. “I believe in
everything it means to be Catholic, and that is very challenging in the
entertainment world. I decided that I needed to take a break from
performing, to see what else was out there,” she explains.
Teaching seemed like a logical next step so she
became a substitute teacher at a Catholic school. She then taught Social
Studies to 6th, 7th and 8th grade students and has a “new found respect
for teachers.” While she enjoyed working with children, something was
missing. “The principal at the school knew my background and offered me
a position as the music teacher. One of my goals was to someday direct a
children’s choir, and accepting the position would get me closer to my
goal. I thought maybe this is where God wanted me,” says Amy.
After teaching music for a year, Amy went back to
performing. She joined the Paper Bag Players, a children’s troupe, and
continued singing with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. As Amy
explains, “God knows the desires of my heart and has given me these
opportunities.” She was singing on retreat with young adults in the Life
Teen program when she was asked if she had ever considered becoming a
youth minister. You can see the glow on her face as Amy states, “The
seed was planted and became nurtured. I saw the potential of leading teens
closer to Christ.”
Amy eventually returned to teaching and is
currently the music teacher at St. Francis of
Assisi
. She also applied for youth minister positions but did not find a
position that she felt was a “real fit.” Then she received a call from
Brother Ryan at
Kellenberg
High School
whom she had met at Youth 2000 and knew from the Franciscans. He
told her about the position at St. Agnes. “I had a great interview with
Father Stephen (Brigandi) and Monsignor Kelly, says Amy. “I just felt in
my gut that it was a great fit.”
The youth ministry kicked off their year in
September with a mass. Her transition to become the new youth minister has
been a smooth one thanks to the work of those before her. “I walked into
an incredibly structured program,” says Amy.
The youth ministry meets on Wednesday evenings from
7:00 – 9:00 p.m. There are usually 25-35 young adults who attend
the meeting which is devoted to scripture and music. On Sundays at the
5:00 p.m. mass you may see as many as 45- 50 young adults who come to
church and then enjoy a meal together after mass.
On the agenda for the youth group is a retreat that
will be held during the last weekend in January. Their plans also
include attending a Youth 2000 retreat in
Island
Park
.
Any young adult in 9th through 12th grade should come
to a meeting of the youth ministry to see what it is all about. Amy
welcomes newcomers saying, “Feel free to come on a Wednesday or Sunday
evening – at any point in the year.”
When asked if there is anything that the parish
members of St. Agnes can do to support the youth ministry, Amy simply
answers, “Pray for us.”
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