3 minute read
Welcome New Youth Faith Formation Director/Youth Minister Blane Schriock
Having earned a degree in theology and philosophy from the University of Mary, Blane Schriock is ready and eager to begin work with the youth and teens here at Ascension! Blane was recently hired as Director of the Faith Formation program for kindergarten to ninth grade, and as Youth Minister for 10th through 12th grades.
“I am most excited to help our youth grow in holiness and find their vocation,” Blane says. “It’s important for them to learn the facts about the Faith, but they have to find where God is calling them, understand our Faith and make it their own.”
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Blane graduated this past spring and plansto pursue a graduate degree in Catholic Studies from the University of Mary. Blane grew up on a farm near Carson with his brother, mother and father.
“I miss living on a farm,” he says. “I am a farm kid at heart. But, this is where God is calling me right now.”
One particular activity that Blane enjoys is dancing. He loves all types of partner dancing, from ballroom to polka, and he has been dancing since he was 5 years old.
Blane also loves to learn more about other cultures, languages and religions.
“I am big into reading,” he says. “I love to learn more about things. This is a big reason I want to go on to graduate school.”
Blane notes that he was not really active in his faith in high school. However, his local priest asked him to teach sixth and seventh-grade catechism.
“I didn’t really know why he was asking me, but he encouraged me to try it for a year,” Blane says. “I was forced to learn more about the faith, since I was teaching it.”
He credits this with helping him discern his vocation.
“I didn’t know I had a knack for teaching until I started,” Blane says. “The Lord revealed this gift to me. If our youth can learn more about their faith, they can learn where God is calling them.”
By the time Blane graduated from high school, he was discerning the priesthood. He didn’t know which order to enter, so he decided to study theology and philosophy at the University of Mary.
“I knew I was being called to work with youth, but I didn’t know how or where,” Blane says.
Blane wrapped up his work with a summer youth program at the St. Mary's Academy in July and began working for Ascension full time in August. He looks forward to jumping head-on into his new position here in our parish.
“Bismarck is a beautiful place to grow in Faith, because it is so deeply rooted in Christianity and rural values,” Blane says. “It’s easy to grow and be nourished here. It’s like a spiritual greenhouse.”
Blane agrees with the teaching of the Catholic Church that parents are the primary educators of the faith — the Faith Formation program is there to assist. He hopes more parents will step forward as volunteers with the program. Blane also can’t wait to get started with the 10th through 12th-grade students and to help challenge them in their faith. He wants to help answer the tough questions like why we believe in God, why we are Catholic, and the purpose of our lives.
“I’d like to introduce them to different vocations by inviting in a married couple, priests, brothers and sisters,” he says. “I just want us to also have fun together and form a solid group that is striving for holiness.”
Faith Formation meets on Wednesday nights beginning Sept. 23. Kindergarten to fifth grade is 4-5 p.m. or 5:30-6:30 p.m. depending on assignment. The sixth through ninth grade is 7-8:15 p.m.
On Sept. 16 there will be an opening Mass and picnic.
