Opportunities for millennials

* Regarding "Odyssey years: A challenge to today's church" (NCR, Dec. 28). We read with interest a description of the millennials living their odyssey years in society and in the church of today. We know any number of young adults who have delayed the traditional choices of a long-term career and marriage, parenting and regular church attendance and involvement. Instead, many we know have made decisions to work in poor countries for a year or so or to travel freely, earning their way through simple employment such as waiting tables, caring for a homebound person, etc. After earning enough to get them to their next immediate goal, they leave the employment and go on to the next thing.

Parishes would do well to engage these millennials in meaningful and nontraditional ministries even for short periods of time. Religious congregations too might attract this population for short-term commitments. Victory Noll is a program dedicated to non-institutional ministries in favor of the poor, associated with Our Lady of Victory Missionary Associates. It is launching a new program called Victory Noll Missioner, which engages young adult and middle-aged women who seek a meaningful ministry and a deepening of spirituality. We believe this is a wonderful opportunity for the odyssey years. Persons in this age range are indeed talented, generous, seeking to make a better world while seeking a deep spirituality. Let the church respond with opportunities to make a better world.

PALMIRA PEREA-HAY

STEVE HAY

Albuquerque

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