Archbishop Edward Gilbert blesses CCSJ’s booth at the Catholic Youth Expo. Photos courtesy Raymond Syms CAMSEL Catholic News
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice
“Youth Ministry is the response of the Christian community to the needs of young people and the sharing of the unique gifts of youth with the larger community.” (Renewing the Vision, US Catholic Bishops, 1997)
On Saturday, January 15, CCSJ participated in the first ever Youth Expo at the Centre of Excellence. Like many other groups in the Archdiocese, we ran one of the booths at the event. I thank Sr Roberta O’Flaherty, a member of CCSJ, and our dedicated volunteer, Anna Ackbarali, for joining me in the booth.
Congratulations to Winston Garcia and members of the Archdiocesan Commission for Youth for a job well done. It was truly an historic occasion in our Archdiocese. What a sight! Winston said there were about 2,500 youths present – from all over T&T. Thanks to our Acting President, His Excellency, Timothy Hamel-Smith, for attending and for his words of encouragement to our youths. Thanks also to Dr Carole Goodwin for sharing her expertise as main presenter at the leadership training seminar on Young Adult ministry in T&T prior to the Youth Expo.
CCSJ chair Leela Ramdeen and Sr Roberta O’Flaherty welcome acting President Timothy Hamel-Smith to the CCSJ booth.
If we are to empower young people to live as Christ’s disciples; if we are to encourage them to participate in the life, work and mission of the Church and in society, we need to convince them that they are partners in this process of integral human development. They see through “mamaguy” very easily.
About two years ago, Archbishop Edward Gilbert, asked the Youth Commission to engage in a conversation with youths in the Archdiocese. How often do we hear young people say: “You adults don’t listen to what we have to say!”? Well, this process was one of “reflective listening”, culminating in the Youth Expo on January 15 during which His Grace and all of us present listened intently.
The Youth Conversations in parishes and across all five Vicariates sought to involve “all stakeholders in youth ministry…including parish priests, catechists and school principals”. Winston and his team recognise that to be effective, Youth Ministry must involve families, parish communities, and the wider community.
At the Youth Expo, representatives from the three age groups: 13-17 years, 18-25 years, and 26-35 years – reported from each Vicariate one challenge and one aspiration arising from discussions in their particular Vicariate. I know that there will be reports of the proceedings, so I will not elaborate on the reports. Suffice it to say that issues raised must be embraced by all Catholics in T&T if we are create at parish level caring, supportive environments where our youth can experience the Good News in the flesh, as the saying goes.
Inter alia, from the responses shared at the Youth Expo, our youths are crying out for: a Church where there is warmth and an experience of authentic family; a Church that responds to the needs of youths; seminars/retreats to build youths’ self-esteem; opportunities to participate in Church and society; role models and mentors; help to deal with peer pressure, school violence, the negative influence of the media, personal struggles, family issues, sexual purity/chastity/abstinence, career guidance, time management, preparing for work; a clearer understanding of the teachings of the Church; a “blending” of faith formation and human formation; support for young families and singles; the use of technology by the Church to reach out to young people.
I remember running a seminar in the Diocese of Westminster, London, in 1997 when the US Bishops produced their document: Renewing the Vision, A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry. We focused on the eight components of youth ministry as outlined in that document: advocacy, catechesis, community life, evangelisation, justice and service, leadership development, pastoral care, and prayer and worship.
Archbishop Gilbert saw Youth Expo as a sign of hope for the Church. He urged our youths to develop a personal relationship with God. This applies to all of us. He said now that we have listened to our youths, he wants to see results. Let’s act in concert with our youths to build God’s Kingdom here on earth. Youth Ministry is challenging, but our Youth Commission has a solid foundation and some amazing staff and volunteers.
