Welcome to the Saint Katharine Drexel Youth Room. In designing this space for our youth, I was reminded of the wonder I felt as a child, when Willy Wonka slowly opened the door to his chocolate room, revealing the splendors of his imagination run wild, where all things only dreamed of were made real, and all things seen were edible confections. For when one walks through the doors of this space, one knows wonder anew. While our furnishings are not edible, they do serve as candy for the eyes and heart, capturing the wonder of God's love and joy of being members of His Kingdom.
When one thinks of a meeting space for youth, one often thinks of nothing more than a multi-purpose room, used by Religious Education classes and other important parish organizations. Making a youth room of such an environment means moving tables, and turning metal folding chairs into a large albeit it uncomfortable circle. Under the bright humming fluorescent lights, youth ponder the kingdom; share the Word, while wafting odors of chalk dust and stale air serve as companions. But ours is a room reserved exclusively for our youth; designed to create community, to foster relationships with God, and to empower the youth with a sense of their importance now in the life of the parish community. Once the parish serving area, filled with old stainless steel equipage, round brown tables, orange plastic seats, rusted conduit and ceiling tracks, and an unfinished floor, a space devoutly to be avoided, its transformation finds it the desired hang out space for youth and adult alike.
Youth Ministry is not about a room, it is about growing teen disciples. But what is discipleship without a sense of wonder? I pray that this space of fun, fellowship and faith imparts the gift of wonder to all those who enter it.
Father Steve
Now, let's take a tour.
Even before entering the Youth Space, one sees spilling out into the social hall three colorful kites from Ocean City, Maryland's famous Kite Loft. Leaving bright contrails in their wake, the kites serve as reminders to the youth that the light and life they find with God, the Core Team and each other should be shared with others, like lamps not hidden under bushel baskets. Scrolling pictures of meetings and joys past also welcome youth at the door, as they sign in. Upon entering, one sees a hand-carved crucifix from Italy, accented by a hand woven and colorful Nigerian saddle blanket. Concerned about youth visiting for the first time, I allow this to remain the sole piece of religious art visible upon entering, as I hope to not overwhelm first time visitors, who may be more hesitant about attending a Catholic Youth Group.
The first of four niches lies ahead of those entering. The feeling of jazz is engendered by four large framed pictures, one 1940's vintage plane, a large steam locomotive and watercolor portraits, which makes one think of Steinbeck's Key West abode. The accent light echoes the crane in the watercolors. The three-lamp pool light is itself a work of art, lending sophistication to this space, which is equipped with a new pool table, air hockey table and foosball table.
Featuring a garish blue ping pong table around which as many as eight or ten youth will cram for games of Ultimate Ping Pong, this niche delivers the crowded ark experience, the equal to any Barnum Beetle and its bevy of circus clowns. Surrounding this table are depictions of Noah preparing for and sailing with faith upon the seas, painted by artist John Seward. One notices in these vivid depictions that the animals on board, gathered in pairs are predator and prey alike; yet, they coexist harmoniously, imaging God's kingdom where all are welcome and all are at peace. These are fitting images, for gathered in our youth room are scholars, athletes, musicians, actors, and students of every grade, ability and social standing. In this Youth Space and this taste of the Kingdom, all divisions are left at the door, and friendships blossom across vast oceans of distance and differences among our loving youth.