CHARLESTON—The Diocesan Missionary Team recently began its third year helping young adults encounter and recognize Christ in their daily lives.
The program is part of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry and a committee selects new members yearly through a detailed interview process.
“The purpose of the team is to get a group of young people devoted to the mission of evangelization to share the faith they’ve gained and to share the Gospel in new ways with young adults,” said Jessica Jenkins, associate director of the youth office.
Specifically, the team works with middle and high school students in parishes and schools throughout the diocese. This year’s group of seven, including three returning members, will serve from Aug. 17 to June 14, 2019.
DMT members have varied backgrounds but have a shared goal of helping young adults develop and strengthen their Catholic faith. Ranging in age from 18-27, the group includes: Molly Andorfer, AnneDee Edwards, Connor Jones, Cara Lawley, Miguel Pereda, Matt Schramm and Joslyn Weibelhaus. Schramm, a returning member, and Lawley, a first-year member, are designated leaders.
“The team is here to inspire young people to live as truly Christian people who, in turn, transform themselves and the people around them,” explained Schramm.
“It may be a bit bold in claim, but we’re ultimately making saints. We are encouraging kids to meet Christ in their daily lives and are accompanying them in their encounters with Christ. We’re also here to help them recognize when and how they already may be in contact with Christ,” he said.
Lawley added that they hope to help the people they encounter strive toward holiness and share the love of Christ with each other.
“We are learning and growing and really have had a lot of success,” Jenkins said.
The team plans to continue its success through evangelical and relational ministry programs that include various retreats. Locally, they also will work closely with youth ministers in the parishes of Blessed Sacrament, Christ Our King and St. Clare of Assisi, as well as the campus ministry program at Bishop England High School.
The DMT lives as a community at the Drexel House in Charleston. They receive only a monthly stipend for living expenses. Schramm said that communal life is an added advantage.
“We have a group with very open, servant hearts who help one another,” he said. “It’s an incredible experience.”
That overall team experience also continues to benefit the faith development of young adults throughout the diocese.
By Maureen T. Feely/Special to The Miscellany
Miscellany/Doug Deas: From left, Joslyn Wiebelhaus, Cara Lawley, Connor Jones, Matthew Schramm, AnneDee Edwards, Molly Andorfer and Miguel Pereda make up this year’s Diocesan Missionary Team.
