Youth Evangelizi ng Youth Sr. Francine Guilmette, FMA

What is evangelizing? «The Church exists to evangelize.» Paul VI «…bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ into every human situation and seeking to convert individuals and society by the divine power of the Gospel itself.» Paul VI

… Disciples. Who is a young disciple? « The Personality of a disciple » F. Carlos Palmis, s.j. The young disciple is… Not below the Master (Mt. 10, 24) Like his Master (Mt. 10, 25) Taught by the Master (Mt. 11, 1) A member of Jesus’ family (Mt. 12, 49) A fisher of people (Mt. 4, 19)

… Disciples. What does a disciple do? « Activities of a disciple » F. Carlos Palmis, s.j. The disciple … Follows the Master (Mt. 8, 23) Does what it is asked to do (Jn. 15, 14) Makes other disciples (Mt. 28, 19) Takes his cross and follows Jesus (Lc. 14, 27) Gives up his/her belongings (Lc. 14, 33)

Why Youth Leadership / discipleship? Your reason(s) to believe in youth to believe in youth as disciples as disciples and evangelizers and evangelizers of young people… of young people…

Why Youth Leadership / discipleship? You are the young Church of today and our hope for the future...You are truly a gift, and we praise and thank God for you. You are a special gift to the Church and to the World! … We have great confidence in you because of who you are today and what you can become tomorrow. (Message to Youth).

Why Youth Leadership / discipleship? We are confident that young people will commit themselves totally to Jesus Christ, who will ask everything from them and give everything in return. We need to provide concrete ways by which the demands, excitement, and adventure of being a disciple of Jesus Christ can be personally experienced by adolescents (and young adults) – where they tax and test their resources and where they stretch their present capacities and skills to the limits. (Renewing the Vision 11) (Renewing the Vision 11)

Why Youth Leadership / discipleship? You bring to the parish community youthfulness, energy, vitality, hopefulness and vision. As a baptized member of the Church, Jesus Christ calls you to follow in his footsteps and make a difference in the world today. You can make a difference now and some of you already do — at home, in school, with your friends, and at after- school jobs. Christ and the Christian community walk with you.” (Message to Youth)

Why Youth Leadership / discipleship? The Church and world need the faith, gifts, energy, and fresh ideas of young people. The entire Church must empower young people for their mission in the world. (Renewing the Vision 50)

Why Youth Leadership / discipleship? «I assure you that the Spirit of Jesus today is inviting you young people to be bearers of the good news of Jesus to your contemporaries. The difficulty that adults undoubtedly find in approaching the sphere of youth in a comprehensible and convincing way could be a sign with which the Spirit is urging you young people to take this task upon yourselves. You know the ideals, the language, and also the wounds, the expectations, and at the same time the desire for goodness felt by your contemporaries.» Benedict XVI, message for WYD 2008

«In order to achieve this goal, my dear friends, you must be holy and you must be missionaries since we can never separate holiness from mission.» (cf. Redemptoris Missio, 90). (cf. Redemptoris Missio, 90).Redemptoris MissioRedemptoris Missio

«Do not be afraid to become holy missionaries like Saint Francis Xavier who travelled through the Far East proclaiming the Good News until every ounce of his strength was used up, or like Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus who was a missionary even though she never left the Carmelite convent. Both of these are “Patrons of the Missions”.»

«Be prepared to put your life on the line in order to enlighten the world with the truth of Christ; to respond with love to hatred and disregard for life; to proclaim the hope of the risen Christ in every corner of the earth.» WYD 2008

Who is your model as an evangelizer? as an evangelizer? How do he/she inspire you?

Basic Principles Basic Principles Leadership is making a difference for good – for good – Discipleship is being a follower of Christ a follower of Christ and transforming the world and transforming the world one heart at a time one heart at a time

Challenges for our parishes Option for youth: «the most precious portion of humanity.» «Every person, no matter what their situation in life, there exists a point that can be reached by goodness.» (GEM, 145) «The fundamental criterion for people, communities and environments (…) is belief in young people.» (GEM, 145)

Basic Principles We call and form youth to be disciples in the Church and in the world «Young people not only receive, but give their own contribution and become proactive in their own formation and in that of their peers, in the context of an ever more intercultural society.» (GEM, 152

Basic Principles Young Disciples grow Need for loving accompaniment: seeking with young people the presence of God in everyday events. (GEM, 111) Need for loving accompaniment: seeking with young people the presence of God in everyday events. (GEM, 111) Relationship of accompaniment: «helps to interpret, in a positive way, the situation of one’s environment, the events of one’s life and society, and teachers to receive them critically and to live them with trust and with love for life.» (GEM, 111) Relationship of accompaniment: «helps to interpret, in a positive way, the situation of one’s environment, the events of one’s life and society, and teachers to receive them critically and to live them with trust and with love for life.» (GEM, 111)

Basic Principles Young Disciples grow «Effective accompaniment cannot work without a Christian community of reference that is an icon of the different vocations in the Church. (Gem, 112)

Basic Principles Young Disciples grow «God is ever at work in the younger generations and in those who choose to accompany them on their journey.» (Gem, 113)

Basic Principles Young Disciples serve others according to Gospel values «Communities must be capable of providing an environment and an atmosphere rich in human and Gospel values.» (GEM, 159)

Witness and success stories

Connecting… With Jesus Christ

Connecting… With the Church by inviting, and welcoming in the Christian community

Connecting… With Jesus Christ With the Church by inviting, and welcoming in the Christian community Connecting with the mission of the Church in the world

Connecting… With Jesus Christ With the Church by inviting, and welcoming in the Christian community Connecting with the mission of the Church in the world Connecting with a peer community in which their faith is nurtured and strengthened

Life-giving climate A climate of participation Sharing of values Patient waiting for the rhythms of each one’s personal growth, Respectful dialogue «family spirit»: Overcomes barriers, Overcomes barriers, Encourage confidence, Encourage confidence, Brings generations closer Brings generations closer Creates an atmosphere of trust where young people grow in freedom and collaborate to the mission of the Church. (GEM, 149) Creates an atmosphere of trust where young people grow in freedom and collaborate to the mission of the Church. (GEM, 149)

The role of the adult leader: Affirm the gifts of youth individually

The role of the adult leader: Affirm the gifts of youth individually Equip youth with knowledge and skills

The role of the adult leader: Affirm the gifts of youth individually Equip youth with knowledge and skills Place youth in leadership positions

The role of the adult leader: Affirm the gifts of youth individually Equip youth with knowledge and skills Place youth in leadership positions Support youth

The role of the adult leader: Affirm the gifts of youth individually Equip youth with knowledge and skills Place youth in leadership positions Support youth Share the story

Your turn… With young people, I am best at ___Calling them forth ___Protecting them ___Supporting them ___Empowering them ___Mentoring them Because…

Formation of a youth evangelizer: « The primary goal of youth ministry is to lead young people to meet the person of Jesus of Nazareth.» Guidelines for the Educational mission of the FMA, p. 52

Components of a training program: Personal and spiritual development Personal and spiritual development Identity and confidence Values clarification and beliefs Sense of community and support Critical thinking Reflecting skills Exploring commitments Autonomy Making friends and developing patters of intimacy Significant career and vocational choices Healthy use of leisure time Active community and citizen involvement

Components of a training program: Leadership skills: Planning Problem solving Decision making Goal setting Running meetings Active listening Conflict management

Self- test

Growing spiritually as a leader Spiritual director / mentor Individual prayer Reflection Retreat Scripture Spiritual reading Faith-sharing groups

«Remember: the Church has confidence in you! We Pastors, especially, pray that you may love and lead others to love Jesus more and more and that you may follow Him faithfully.» WYD 2008

How did God wink at you lately or today about your call to be a young evangelizer or an adult supportive of youth evangelizing youth?

Camp Leadership Jeunesse Youth Leadership Camp Formation program for young adults (14 à 18 ans/ yrs old) français janvier, 2008 English February 1- 3, 2008

The Gospel: A gift to be shared A fire to be nourished A light for life!

Let us pray …

Mission possible! “Like Jesus with the disciples of Emmaus, the Church must become a travelling companion to young people.” John Paul II