Youth center efforts rewarded
First Citizen banquet to honor Tony Morris for ministry to young people
By Jo Garcia-Cobb
Special to the Appeal Tribune
MOUNT ANGEL — This year's Service to the Youth Award, given by the Mount Angel Chamber of Commerce, goes to Tony Morris of the Father Bernard Youth Center, whose ministry to the youth draws largely from Morris' own childhood.
"I was living a wild and crazy high school life and came to an end of the road after running on drugs, sex and alcohol. That brought me to my knees," Morris said. "Fortunately, I had a deep conversion experience. But, from that, I know what a lot of kids go through."
Morris was the driving force for the youth center's creation in 2005 and has been largely responsible for its ongoing success as its executive director.
Father Bernard Youth Center's Mission is "to assist parishes and individuals by providing a special place for prayer and personal growth, focused on assisting young adults and their mentors in their spiritual development."
Since opening in January 2006, the youth center has hosted more than 60 retreats and 2,200 visitors. They come from Mount Angel or within the 50-mile radius where the center focuses attention but several other states including California, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and elsewhere.
As one who has known the value of retreats since childhood, Morris was compelled to pass on what's been given to him.
"I had a great experience on a retreat when I was in sixth grade," he said. "I've always loved retreats. I really believe in stepping out of the world into a quiet realm where you could hear God speak to you. The voice of the world has to be shut down."
Morris, the father of six children, had worked as a building contractor in the Mount Angel area before handing his business to his son three years ago in order to build the youth center.
Along with administrative duties, Morris now works full time at the center organizing retreats, doing spiritual direction, mentoring, and counseling young married couples with the help of his wife, Susie.
"Tony came into this like gang busters, with a huge amount of energy and vision," said Jerry Lauzon, member of the First Citizen Awards selection committee. "He's taught us that we can all make a difference in the lives of our youth, and that in doing so we can make a difference in our own lives."
Much of Morris' vision came from mentors from his own youth. The first one was a Baptist minister he met when he was 17.
"He helped me come down on my knees after kind of running out of gas chasing in the world," Morris said.
Then came Father Jerome Schmidt at St. James Parish in Molalla. Father Bernard Sanders, OSB, then took on Morris for spiritual direction for longer than 12 years.
"If there hadn't been someone who listened to me and listened to my heart, who knows what I would have done?" Morris said. "Father Bernard always talked about the fact that we were not really listening to young people's hearts and that something needed to be done," Morris said.
Sarah Kuenzi, 18, who has been to several retreats at the youth center, said: "I think he's really sensitive to the needs of the youth. Young people want a place where they feel safe, where they can pray without people looking down on them.
"He makes us feel wanted. He treats us as adults and doesn't talk down to us."
The Fr. Bernard Youth Center is a nonprofit organization and relies on the support of individual donors for more than 50 percent of its operating budget. The remainder comes from retreat fees and grants.
Morris will be honored at the First Citizens Awards Banquet at 6 p.m. Feb. 25 at the St. Mary Parish Center in Mount Angel.
Awards also will be presented for: First Citizen, Junior First Citizen, Business of the Year, Community Achievement, Lifetime Achievement, three Fire Fighters awards, and Chief's Awards.
Tickets are $25 each and may be purchased at US Bank, West Coast Bank or Wells Fargo Bank. They must be purchased by Friday. The dinner will be served by the Bavarian Haus Restaurant.