First Resident Priests at Youth Apostles Institute

By Stephanie Tracy
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the issue of 7/25/02)

After a 20-year wait, the Youth Apostles Institute in McLean is realizing one of its longtime dreams with the arrival of two resident priests.

Fathers Jack Peterson and David Sharland both began new assignments recently with theYouth Apostles.

In a letter announcing the arrival of the two resident priests, Dr. Eduardo Azcarate, director and founder of the Youth Apostles, expressed his enthusiasm.

"Over 20 years ago, I felt the call to found Youth Apostles," he said. "I envisioned a community where priests and laymen would work side by side in ministering to young people; I envisioned a community where priests would dedicate each day to serving youth, and then would return home to the Youth Apostles house to find strength and support."

According to Azcarate’s letter, the dream has finally come true, thanks to the support of Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde and Fall River, Mass. Bishop Sean O’Malley.

"We’re really very grateful to Bishop Loverde for being open to this," Father Peterson said of his new assignment.

Father Peterson, while serving as full-time chaplain at Marymount University in Arlington, will also work at the Youth Apostles house in McLean as the assistant director for consecrated men and clerics. His duties include overseeing the formation of those men who have made a consecrated commitment to the Youth Apostles through promises of poverty, chastity and obedience.

"Part of our ministry in the house, too, is simply a ministry of presence," Father Peterson said. "We serve as spiritual directors, and we’re available to celebrate Mass for the community here. We’re here to offer the ministry of the priesthood."

Another advantage to residing at the Youth Apostles McLean Center is the opportunity to live as a consecrated within the community.

Father Peterson became involved with the Youth Apostles upon graduation from high school, after having participated in a youth group run by Azcarate at St. Anthony Parish in Falls Church. After college, Father Peterson made a short-term consecrated commitment to the community, and then made his lifetime commitment the summer before serving his diaconate year in the Diocese of Arlington.

"My experience with Youth Apostles in college had made such a positive impact on me that I wanted to offer that same opportunity to others, and to share the importance of small communities of faith," Father Peterson said.

Prior to his assignment with Youth Apostles, Father Peterson served as chaplain at Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, and as part-time parochial vicar at St. Matthew Parish in Spotsylvania.

Father David Sharland will also have a chance to return to his home turf with his new assignment. Relocating for a time from the Diocese of Fall River, Father Sharland will serve as the director of formation for the Youth Apostles Institute. Three other Youth Apostle priests remain in Fall River.

"I’m responsible for overseeing the formation of our new members, and those who are already part of our community here," Father Sharland said.

Other duties include visiting the five college communities formed by members of the Youth Apostles.

"Our college communities tend to be a bit more fluid, so I’ll be working to strengthen those communities that already exist and help support new ones," Father Sharland said. "I’ll also be working with them in terms of formation and encouraging them in a possible Youth Apostles vocation."

Father Sharland said the presence of a priest residing in the house will also contribute to the prayer life and community life of the McLean Center.

Father Sharland, originally from Northern Virginia, has been involved with Youth Apostles since 1982, and has spent the last nine years in the Diocese of Fall River, studying for the priesthood and then working in full-time ministry upon ordination.

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