b'N O I T C E L F E R SPEAKING FROM THE DEEP WELL OF ONES BEINGELLEN B. KONECKhen I first read Going, Going, Gone: Theneeded as the skill of listening, but may be even Dynamics of Disaffiliation Among Youngharder to do well. Speaking truthfully, authentically, Catholics, the detail that lingered with me more thanand without pretense, especially if the thing shared any other was the gratitude expressed by some ofis a deeply felt concern, a raw wound, or a yet-the young people interviewed at simply being askeduntested idea, can be scary: What if someone to tell their stories. This sentiment has echoed formisunderstands? Worse yet, what if someone me in contexts and conversations ever sinceunderstands perfectly and just doesnt agree or care? I cant seem to escape it. Clearly, the experiencePrograms and spaces in which of being heard is powerful,people learn to articulate even transformational, andPROGRAMS AND SPACESthemselves are just as imperative the act of listening is a virtue needed in our culture.IN WHICH PEOPLEin our culture of constant-but-Although good dialogue mayLEARN TO ARTICULATEshallow-communication. depend in part on an invitingLouisa Kamps, cited in a Saint and safe space, a good setTHEMSELVES AREMarys Press Research blog of questions, and a willingpost titled Can We Talk?, listener, the conversationJUST AS IMPERATIVEsuggests the classroom as one location for practice: More and doesnt really start untilIN OUR CULTURE OFmore, students and faculty are someone takes that initial vulnerable step and decidesCONSTANT-BUT-SHALLOW- seeking out and welcoming to speak. Theres certainlyconversations where they can feel more to communicationCOMMUNICATION. not only free, but encouraged than just listening andto unfurlworking through being heard. There is also the sharing part.difficult thoughts together with others in an unhurried way, saying things That activityindeed, that skillof speakingtheyve never said (or thought) before. In another articulately and from the heart, is as urgentlyblog post, youth and young adult faith formation 40 AspireVolume 1//Fall 2019'