Late nights, lots of weekend hours, depending on
the whims of youth, it hardly sounds like the ideal job, yet for
Miss Betsy Fons there is no better place to work. Youth ministry
is a labor of love for this young woman from Kankakee. She loves
it all, especially the impact that she has on the lives on teens,
introducing them to God.
A product of the Catholic education
institutions of the Joliet Diocese, Betsy grew up in Bourbonnais.
She studied at Maternity BVM Grade School, Bishop McNamara High
School, and Lewis University. Her faith has always been an
important part of her life.
After she finished college with a bachelor's degree in social
work, Betsy worked as a juvenile probation officer in Kankakee
County. At the same time she volunteered with the youth ministry
at St. Joseph's Parish in Bradley. In 1993 a full-time position
came open at her home parish Maternity BVM in Boubonnais, and
Betsy took the plunge. Today Betsy heads the youth ministry at
both these neighboring parishes.
Activities that take Betsy away for a week with the teens are
what she likes the most. Service trips and wilderness adventures
bring them to a totally different environment. It is life
changing for young people. They get a new outlook on life, a new
perspective. Betsy gives a high recommendation for those
considering priesthood, religious life or lay ministry, "I
heard somebody say, 'When you work for the Church, the pay isn't
good, but the benefits are out of this world.' It's true. I love
it."
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