Last week, the Chancery welcomed a new Director of Youth, Carol Wiget. The One Voice took the opportunity to ask Wiget some questions about her background and her goals for the Office of Youth. The complete interview follows below. 

Where did you grow up/go to school?

I was born in Waco, TX, but grew up in Grants, NM on a small horse ranch. I was active in 4-H and grew up showing horses, participating in rodeos, and raising livestock. I am a cradle Catholic, attended St. Teresa of Avila School for 4 years and home-schooled through Kolbe Academy for 6 years. I received a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, NM and a Master of Science in Plant Genetics from Texas A&M University in College Station, TX.

What led you to youth ministry?

The Holy Spirit led me into youth ministry. I worked in college campus ministry as an undergraduate and served on the Social Justice Committee at St. Mary's as a graduate student. During that time I married my husband, Paul; had my first child, Ender, in 2012; and Xavier followed in 2014. I was starting to feel a desire to work outside of the home around the time my youngest son turned one. I knew that I wanted to do work that was meaningful, rather than “just a job,” and I knew I wanted a job that would be family oriented. My family attended Mass for the first time at Our Lady of Sorrows (OLS) one Sunday, and they were looking for a part-time middle school youth minister. I applied for the job that same day and was hired shortly after that. I don’t think I felt particularly drawn to youth ministry until I was already in it, so I think it was absolutely the work of the Holy Spirit drawing me to His service. I absolutely fell in love with working with teens and other adults who shared a passion for Christ’s work in young people. It became vocational for me.

What has been your favorite part in working with youth?

I love the authenticity with which young people do everything. If they love something, you will know without a doubt. They will also let you know if they are bored or hate something. That type of honesty can really open up doors to listen and respond to needs. I also love how teens can surprise you. They come up with some of the craziest things I have ever seen or heard, but they are often incredibly deep and thoughtful regarding what they believe.

What is your “history” in youth ministry?

When I started working at OLS, I was in a part-time role and parents often wanted me to provide social events for their kids to come and hang out in a safe environment with other Catholics. I quickly realized that made my role an “event planning” one rather than a ministry one. I started learning what I could from other youth ministers, conferences, and professional ministry training sessions. I would then implement what I learned, and it worked! Teens wanted more. They were not satisfied with only pizza and games. I was blessed to build an amazing core team of incredible people and together we responded to what the teens wanted, which was to enter deeper into relationship with Christ. I have also worked with the Confirmation candidates for five years. Eventually, my position was made full-time as a response to the high number of teens leaving the Church in 8th grade. We wanted to invest more fully in middle schoolers to draw them deeper into their faith, so they would continue to practice their Catholic faith in a personal way.

Why do you want to work at the diocesan level?

I had a lot of support at Our Lady of Sorrows from Monsignor Muller, colleagues, and parents. This support was essential for what I was able to build there. I accepted the position of Director of Youth for the diocese because I want to help other parishes invest in their teens. The Catholic Church is for them, too: not just when they grow up, but right now! I want every teen in the Diocese of Birmingham to find a home in their parish where they know they are loved by the Father and called to be a part of an incredible mission. I know that sounds really ideological, but I believe in that message. Young people leave the Church because they do not feel seen, or heard, or known. They want people to value their questions and walk with them to find the Truth. Youth ministry provides an environment where they can be accompanied in a deeply personal way, modeled after Christ’s own ministry. That is what I want to support and cultivate in youth groups in as many parishes in the diocese as possible.

What are your plans for diocesan youth ministry?

My initial vision for diocesan youth ministry is to support youth ministers and advocate for their ministry with their pastors and parishioners. Anything I do will be in line with that vision. This will encompass a lot of listening. Though we are one family in Christ, every parish is unique, and I will need to hear from each one what they feel is needed and respond to their needs.

What are you most excited about?

I am really excited to work with other passionate youth ministers and with the grace of the Holy Spirit make great things happen in Alabama.

If you wish, please tell us about your family.

I have been married to Dr. Paul Wiget for almost 10 years. Paul is a professor of chemistry at Samford University and a member of the Society of Catholic Scientists. We have four boys, Ender (8), Xavier (7), Hugo (4) and Linus (3). We are parishioners at Our Lady of Sorrows, where Paul and I are Confirmation catechists. Paul and I are originally from New Mexico and came to Alabama via Texas and Pennsylvania. We have lived in Birmingham for seven years and just bought our first house in West Homewood.

Lastly, if you would like to provide any additional remarks, please feel free to do so.

I am Den Leader to the Wolf Scouts, Pack 386. I enjoy the beach, reading, baking, walking, and I have an affinity for zombie apocalypse stories.