Freelancing ‘lets me explore faith-based reporting’
Name: Emmaline Jurgena
Age: 22
Family: Vince and Jill Jurgena [parents]; Samuel and Jack Jurgena [brothers]
Hometown: Davenport
Occupation: Student [recently graduated from Marquette University with degrees in journalism and political science]
Parish: Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport
Plans for the future: Attending University of Chicago Law School in fall 2016
Catholic Messenger freelancer Emmaline Jurgena.
What motivated you to freelance for The Catholic Messenger?
I interned for the Messenger during the summer of 2014 and really loved it. I did not hesitate to return this summer; freelancing for The Catholic Messenger has been great for building my journalism portfolio, giving me access to interesting stories and fascinating people committed to their faith, and letting me explore faith-based reporting, which I enjoy.
What do you like best about The Catholic Messenger?
I like the small staff size at The Catholic Messenger. It gives every person room to be creative and pursue stories that interest them, a benefit that makes the paper a great place to contribute to.
How do think your work will enhance The Catholic Messenger?
I think every additional person contributing to a common goal (in this case, putting out a journalistically sound paper every week) adds a new perspective, which will hopefully make the discussions surrounding each issue more multi-layered and diverse.
What kinds of stories do you enjoy writing about?
I like writing about the people in our diocese who are living their faith through their actions. Stories about people who have started new projects and programs, or who volunteer their time and energy to improve and sustain diocesan initiatives are my favorite!
What do you value most about your Catholic faith?
My faith gives me a firm foundation that guides me in my decisions as a young adult and centers me in this transitional time of my life.
Which Catholic, living or dead, gives you inspiration?
I find Thomas Merton to be an inspiration. I appreciate the way he was honest about his doubts and his struggles, but still strived to live a life of faith.
What advice would you offer to church leaders about being more relevant in the lives of young adult Catholics?
I believe many young adult Catholics seek a church that is welcoming, dynamic and open to change. Church leaders who are willing to encourage young adults to actively participate in their church community would be a positive force in the faith lives of this generation.
‘I like that The Catholic Messenger focuses on all aspects of the news’
Name: Kathleen Gay
Age: 22
Family: My family is all over the place. My dad, Gary, lives in Rockford, Ill., and is a retired police officer. My brother, Sean, lives in Ames, Iowa, and is finishing up management training for Red Robin. My mom, Shelia, lives in Perris, Calif., and currently works at a bank.
Hometown: Rockford, Ill.
Occupation: I am a lifeguard and welcome center employee at the YMCA, a work study student and summer intern for the Communication Department at St.
Catholic Messenger freelancer Kat Gay.
Ambrose University in Davenport and a nanny for a local family.
Parish: While at school I attend Christ the King Chapel at St. Ambrose University. When I am home I attend St. Bridget Catholic Church in Loves Park, Ill.
Plans for the future: I am seriously looking into grad school. I am hoping to find a communications program in Iowa or the Midwest. From there, I am considering going further in my education or looking for a job that I would love doing for the rest of my life.
What motivated you to freelance for The Catholic Messenger?
Editor Barb Arland-Fye stopped into a writing class that I had taken last semester and I immediately thought it would be so fun to write for The Catholic Messenger. The idea stuck in my head; we chatted a few times and I jumped right in!
What do you like best about The Catholic Messenger?
I like that The Catholic Messenger focuses on all aspects of the news, yet adds in a Catholic perspective. I think it is easy to exclude our faith from our understanding of issues going on around us daily. The writing style of this newspaper reminds us that our faith helps us to understand all matters in life.
How do think your work will enhance The Catholic Messenger?
I think that I bring a different perspective on some issues due to the fact that I am still in college. Attending St. Ambrose and taking writing classes, along with talking to other students about their beliefs and interests, helps me to see what people my age are interested in and what they would like to read about.
What kinds of stories do you enjoy writing about?
I enjoy writing stories about people. I think it is so fun to be able to talk to people and to learn about the different things they are doing in their lives.
What do you value most about your Catholic faith?
I value the fact that the church is welcoming and is always there for me. Whether it has been friends and family or teachers and priests, I have been very lucky to have so many people to talk to about life and my faith.
Which Catholic, living or dead, gives you inspiration?
One of my best friends, Robby, is a seminarian in the Rockford Diocese and he continues to inspire me daily. Any time that I have talked to him over the years it is easy to see how much he loves the church and how excited he is to continue down this path with God. His heartfelt dedication and passion are things that I admire and that I strive to reach in my life every day.
What advice would you offer to church leaders about being more relevant in the lives of young adult Catholics?
I feel that church leaders are doing an awesome job at being more relevant. With different classes, groups and books being written I think that questions are being answered differently than in the past. The tough topics are being addressed and explained in ways that are more interesting and engaging to young adults versus very cut and dry answers.
