Colleen Trevisani
Organizational Leader | Educator
Catholic Lay Minister
What does “accompany” mean to you?
I am thinking that it means to come alongside someone and help lighten their load on the path, to help them get where they want to go or help them even figure out what that destination is.
What does accompaniment look like in your ministry?
In working with scouting leaders and youth, I have to pause to listen to where they want to go, not push my own agenda of a destination. Especially when I am working with youth in a youth-led organization, I need to really be the guide on the side and use questions rather than answers to help them take the next steps. In working with family camp folks, it is listening and sharing from my own lived family experience.
I have been accompanied in my faith/ministry by wise mentors from NFCYM and other youth ministers, who have been there to listen, encourage, and empower me in my own ministry.
Dave Neeson
Director of Campus Ministry
What does “accompany” mean to you?
To “accompany” is simply meeting people where they’re at and within the emotion they’re feeling at that time. It’s essential for sharing any ministerial message to first know who you’re talking with and how they’re feeling.
What does accompaniment look like in your ministry?
I work within a school that has about 1,200 students directing campus ministry at Cathedral. My current job allows me more facetime with the students I’m blessed to serve. My office is a revolving door of students sharing successes, frustrations, seeking advice, and checking in. Thankfully, I’ve learned how to handle what I call “compassion fatigue.” It’s natural to want to be happy when others are happy and sad when others are sad, but that can cause harm in your personal life if you can’t manage those highs and lows together. Having an outside source to speak with that doesn’t overlap my professional circle helps a lot. Thankfully, NFCYM has provided me with multiple avenues to connect with others outside of my professional circle who understand that hardship and that blessing.
Mike Patin
Faith Horticulturist
What does “accompany” mean to you?
The simplest definition I can give is that it means “to journey with.” It means being affected by the journey of another. It is not being a casual spectator but a concerned and supportive companion.
What does accompaniment look like in your ministry?
I have tried to model the Good Samaritan who notices needs, offers care and compassion, refers others to the best resources, and then follows up.
Ana Barraza
Special Education Teacher
Adaptative Catechesis & Evangelization
What does “accompany” mean to you?
To accompany is to be like Jesus was with the disciples that were going to Emmaus: to walk together and to have a conversation with each other on the way to heaven.
What does accompaniment look like in your ministry?
In my ministry with persons with disAbilities, accompaniment happens when we walk together and have a conversation with each other as we make accessible the way to heaven.
Reflection
Take a moment to recall instances when you accompanied a young person as they recognized Christ and became Christ incarnate in their family and community.
Share your story with us at [email protected].