Since their launch last June, Superior Disciple’s outreach has benefitted hundreds of youths within the Diocese, as well as extended to more than 20 countries.
Superior Disciple has shared content on multiple platforms – Instagram, Facebook and YouTube – and via their website at superiordisciple.com, where people can subscribe to receive email updates. They have also hosted youth and young adult gatherings as well as two retreats during their first year.
One of the founders, Kayla Johnson, shared the following in a post, “Verso l’alto: A Year in Review,” on the group’s website:
“Dear Supporters, Verso l’alto! (translated as “To the heights!”) has been Superior Disciple’s motto for the past year. Coined by Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati, this phrase reminds us that by stepping forward with hope-filled commitment we are climbing to the heights of heaven. What a joy!
Faithfulness. Conviction. Zeal. These are all attributes bubbling up inside young people across the Diocese.”
Johnson shared that the opportunity to “creatively express the Gospel” through the vlog she shares “not only give me life and joy, but instigates fruitful conversations in my community.”
“Since our launch, Superior Disciple has published over 135 posts brimming with inspiring stories, insightful information, encouraging testimonies, and practical tips that have engaged youth, young adults and others in the Catholic Faith. Thanks to this life-giving content, our website has received over 16,000 views in the past year with almost 6,000 individual visitors,” Johnson wrote.
She added, “Although Superior Disciple is a mission established in the Diocese of Superior, our website has welcomed views from around the world.”
Views have originated from more than 20 countries.
Elise Burns, another contributor acknowledged the widespread support the young adults have received for the endeavor from the start.
Contributor CJ Kallevig shared, “What being a part of Superior Disciple means to me is that I am a part of a community. A community that inspires, uplifts, and teaches me. I have grown in my faith so much since joining this community, and I am so thankful for everything and everyone in it.”
Data shows their most engaged participants have been high school students and college-age young adults. Johnson noted Superior Disciple’s recommitment to supporting those age groups.
“We believe that, with intentional encouragement, such individuals can be missionary disciples that are going to renew the Church,” Johnson wrote.
She concluded saying, “It has been a true honor to witness the Lord working wonders in the Diocese of Superior and beyond. Our hope is that, in our mission, Superior Disciple will continue to inspire a lifelong journey of hope-filled discipleship in the Diocese of Superior. We look forward to your continued support as we climb to the heights together.
“Verso l’alto!”
