Kathy Loney retires from youth ministry position at Diocese of Fargo

Kathy Loney, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Fargo, retired on June 5 after serving the diocese for 15 years.

Prior to her time serving the diocese, she was the Youth Minister at Blessed Sacrament Church in West Fargo from 1986–90, and then a travel agent for 13 years before returning to Blessed Sacrament to be their DRE/YM full time. It was during her time both working in a parish and as a travel agent that she discovered a passion for leading pilgrimages, especially to World Youth Day.

“Any time I could travel with students, youth ministers, DREs, and take them somewhere I know they are going to have a transforming opportunity and conversion experience… that’s been the best,” Loney said. “You get them away from their everyday life and see them rejuvenated and excited for the faith. To see kids go into a stadium with thousands of people in front of Jesus for adoration and see them silent and on their knees is awesome and beautiful. It’s worth everything you do to organize those events. It’s worth every penny. It tells you they know God’s there. I’ll miss seeing that.”

Loney has planned multiple events throughout the years including Mission Immaculata (MI) camp, summer retreats for young men and women, middle school and high school rallies, and National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC). She also supports other youth ministry efforts in the diocese such as SEARCH retreats, NET ministries, scouting awards, and Center for Ministry Development workshops (CMD).

“It’s been my constant mantra that we need to pay attention to our youth and young adults in our parishes,” Loney said. “We need to have someone hired very willing to do the job. The whole parish needs to concentrate on these age levels. They don’t have to have a college degree, but someone who really cares and is willing to walk with them.”

Loney encourages teens especially, to keep God central in their lives, no matter where it leads.

“You don’t know what you’re going to encounter once you leave home. If you don’t have God to lean on, it can be really tough out there. You need him to talk to and rely on. I’ve had so many prayers answered throughout the years. It’s amazing how he can work in you.”