Passing Batons
Photo by Braden Collum on Unsplash
When I was in high school I had a stint on the school’s track and field team (I think Aussies call it athletics??). I liked track and field because I didn’t have to learn many rules and because it was mostly about individual achievement… that is, it was hard to let down my team mates with a bad pass or kick, I just had to run, jump and throw. I had never done well with team sports, so track was easier for me to manage. I was a sprinter specialising in the 100 and 200 meter dash. I was pretty good at it so I was asked to be on a relay team. At first I wasn’t very excited by the idea of having to work with team mates, and at the potential of letting them down when they found out how uncoordinated and clumsy I was. But I relented and agreed to be on a relay team.
There were four people to a relay team, and we would train together every day pushing one another to run faster and grow stronger. We spent hours working on the most important part of the relay race: passing the baton. If you’ve ever watched a relay race, you will notice that when ‘Runner A’ is approaching the hand-off point, ‘Runner B’ starts running, trying to match the pace and stride of Runner A. Runner B does this while watching Runner A and reaching back with an open hand ready to receive the baton from them. Runner A is communicating with Runner B with their whole body, and their primary job, besides running as fast as they can, is to successfully place the baton firmly in the hand of Runner B.
When it is done poorly (i.e. the baton drops, runners trip or bump into each other, or they miss the handoff altogether), it is usually because there was bad communication, poor timing, and a lack of training and trust between the two runners. When this is done seamlessly, it’s an incredibly display of collaboration, unity and synchronicity.
I’ve had the incredible privilege over the past five years to lead the COYYA team in the Archdiocese of Adelaide, and now it’s time for me to pass the baton. I’m very excited for the next phase of COYYA’s ministry with young people in the Archdiocese of Adelaide, and the people taking the baton.
When I was handed the ‘COYYA Baton’ from Sarah Moffatt in December 2016, it had been a year since Adelaide hosted the Australian Catholic Youth Festival, and the 2018 Synod on Young People had just been announced. COYYA had been relatively quiet in the wake of ACYF (recovering from 12 months of intense planning, and then Sarah began working in the Diocesan Office). So when I arrived, COYYA was more or less a blank slate. Belinda Fusco (nee Maric) and James Meston were holding down the fort as best as they could. There were a few projects running: student leader programs, the Arch D Radio weekly broadcast on 1079 Life FM, and the Archbishop Awards for Senior Students.
Before I began developing new projects, I decided to follow the advice a priest-friend had given me years ago. He said that every time he is assigned to a new parish he spends the first year listening, observing and getting to know the community. After 12 months, he is ready to start doing new things. The consultation phase for the 2018 Synod on young people gave me an excuse to look busy while listening and observing across the Archdiocese. That year was incredibly important for the development of the COYYA strategies, projects, events and resources we would create in the following four years.
I also spent that first year getting to know people. Even though my wife Lauren was from Adelaide and I had some experience of youth ministry here, I was a migrant from the USA I was an outsider. That said, I was pleasantly and humbly surprised by the welcome and hospitality I received from colleagues, young people, leaders and communities – I am still humbled by this. I have been most impressed by the young people and youth ministry leaders I have been able to serve. Young people filled with passion, joy, faith and a desire to see the world transformed. Youth ministry leaders who love young people and want to share their faith and see young people thrive!
I am proud of the directions COYYA moved in during my time at the helm, and of the many successful projects, events, and resources we created. This is largely due to the team I worked alongside over the years: James, Belinda, Holly, Jean-Marie, Mary-Anne, David, Michaela and Sam, the many volunteers, the members of the Council for Ministry for Young People, my colleagues at the Catholic Education Office in the Catholic Identity Section, those in schools, parishes, communities and the various Catholic agencies who serve young people in the diocese. I have been able to develop friendships and working relationships with colleagues across the country, and I am grateful for their guidance and support. I am especially grateful to Michael Vial (my line manager and Adelaide’s first diocesan youth ministry coordinator), for his wisdom, guidance and confidence in me.
Now, as Julian and Juliana receive the baton, I am confident in their abilities to be good leaders, to seek new horizons and lead COYYA successfully. I’ll be here, from my new vantage point, cheering them on, offering support and guidance when it’s needed or desired, and continuing to advocate for young people.
Thank you for your support and prayers. I ask that you continue to pray for me as I begin in my now role in the Archdiocese of Adelaide as the Assistant Director, Pastoral Life and Mission (I think of it as youth ministry, but for everybody!). And please pray for Julian and Juliana, James and Michaela as they take the baton!
Peace,
Peter
Peter Bierer is the previous Coordinator of the Catholic Office for Youth and Young Adults and has now taken a role as the Assistant Director, Pastoral Life and Mission in the Archdiocese of Adelaide.