Cathlic Yuth Plan f the Dicese f Gergetwn REBUILDING YOUTH MINISTRY: THROUGH PRAYERS, FAITH & VOCATIONAL DISCERNMENT YEAR: 2017 2022 1
Table f Cntents Executive Summary... 3 1. Intrductin... 4 2. The Challenges Facing Yuths... 5 a) Disinterested Yuth... 5 They d nt understand their Faith... 5 Mass is bring (Stigma and perspective f bring)... 5 Migratin t ther cuntries r ther cmmunities... 6 Distracted by living in a materialistic way mre than a spiritualistic way... 6 Perceptin f Gd t be unfrgiving and unyielding: They re ashamed r guilty t g back t church... 6 Peple in church shuld be mre welcming (slace in church)... 6 The insecurities f sme parents cause children t lack interest in participating in sme activities.. 6 Lack f mtivatin twards yuth within Cathlic churches... 6 b) Interested, but lacking supprt and resurces... 7 c) Willing and able, but facing adversity... 8 Lack f supprt... 8 Family struggles... 9 Discriminatin and steretyping... 9 Generatinal Gap... 9 Lack f Yuth fellwship... 9 Prblems in catechetical frmatin... 10 3. The Opprtunities t Strengthen Yuth... 10 a) Mre Interest... 10 b) Mre Capacity... 10 c) Less Adversity... 11 4. Respnse Optins... 12 IMMEDIATE: Crss-Cutting Optin... 13 SHORT-TERM: Optins t Increase Yuth Interest... 13 SHORT-TERM: Optins t Build Yuth Capacity... 14 LONG-TERM: Optins t Increase Yuth Interest... 14 LONG-TERM: Optins t Increase Yuth Capacity... 16 LONG TERM: Optins fr Reducing Adversity... 17 5. Cnclusin... 18 2
Executive Summary Yuth represent an untapped, yet neglected resurce within the Church, despite recgnitin that harnessing their ptential is vital, fr achieving the Church s missin in Guyana. This reprt acknwledges als ur Christian duty t help yuths grw int full cmmunin with Jesus and each ther. Effrts t address the needs and pprtunities inherent in ur yung peple, have been underway fr many years, becming institutinalised in part thrugh a Yuth Department. Mre recently, the 2013 Dicesan Assembly ccurring in the Year f Faith placed significant attentin n better meeting the needs f yuth. Bishp Alleyne initiated the prcess f develping this 5-year yuth plan in mid-2016, and entrusted the Yuth Bard, via the Yuth Crdinatr, with spearheading the effrt t develp this plan. These in turn engaged yuth themselves t draft the cntent f the plan, cntent that will be shared with parishes in rder t btain inputs and finalise the plan. In summary, this plan recgnises three categries f yuth: thse wh are disinterested, interested but lacking capacities, and interested and capable, but facing adversity. Each f these three categries has distinctive features that call fr different appraches. This plan details what lies behind each categry. Fr example, this plan identifies that disinterested yuth arise frm such things as bring liturgies, a lack f understanding f the Cathlic Church, and mdernity (technlgy, materialism etc.) Ntwithstanding the detailing f causes, the main fcus f this plan is n presenting ptins fr respnding t the challenges at hand. Since these challenges are largely at the lcal level, lcal peculiarities need t be catered fr in the chice f respnses. As such, this plan des nt use a ne-size-fits-all apprach. Rather, respnse ptins are presented fr cnsideratin with the ultimate chice f ptins t be determined by parishes. Optins t be cnsidered at the natinal/dicesan level are als included. T ease the chice f respnse ptins by parishes, this plan presents ptins using three time hrizns: immediate, shrt-term and lng-term. Within these hrizns, respnse ptins are presented within the three earlier identified categries f yuth. As needed and pssible, the Yuth Department can assist parishes t assess their situatin, build parish capacities t grasp pprtunities fr addressing yuth needs, determine respnse ptin chices and supprt their implementatin. The Yuth Department will spearhead thse ptins ccurring at the level f the Dicese, such as yuth camps, sprts cmpetitins etc. 3
1. Intrductin This Yuth Plan is a wrk in prgress that has its genesis in the 2013 Dicesan Assembly. In July f 2016, Bishp Alleyne initiated steps t build upn the utputs frm the Assembly as related t yuth, and tasked the Yuth Crdinatr with preparing this Plan. The Crdinatr was greatly helped in this assignment by many thers, as utlined in the cnclusin sectin f this dcument. Yuths are the strnghld that cntains great ptential t prvide a better tmrrw; being the future f the Church and Natin. Yuths must be encuraged, supprted and empwered t fully realize their ptential. Hwever, due t varius factrs, yuth invlvement in the Church has significantly drpped. It can be nted that the amunt f active and supprtive Yuth grups have dwindled ver the years. There are currently an estimated 15 active yuth grups within the church at large, and due t incnsistencies, resurces and capacity issues; many Yuths have turned away frm the Church. It shuld be ur duty t ensure the revitalizatin f the invlvement f Yuths within the varying Parishes and act as a slace and cmfrt fr them. In tday's sciety we cnstantly hear the phrase "Yuths are the future f tmrrw" But are we really? N, we are the "Yuths f tday-the present". Creating a strng platfrm requires bth technical aspects, in which the Yuth Bard hpes t create, and the spiritual realizatin and empwerment f yuths. Withut a visin and grace f guidance frm the Hly Spirit, nthing can be achieved. Everything must be in chesin in rder t achieve harmny. This is the gal f this Yuth actin plan; t plan and implement a fundatin n which yuth can build n and facilitate fr the current and next generatins t cme fr yuths t find their faith and identity. This plan des nt nly reach ut t Cathlics but thse affiliated and assciated, as well as anyne else wh needs supprt. This plan addresses the three majr issues within the church bdy; Disinterest Interested, hwever lacking supprt and resurces Thse willing and able but face adversity. The Yuth Bard has discussed and cllected feedback frm the varying Parishes thrugh yuth representatin n these issues. This building blck will be planned fr the next 5 years, frm which effects take place within the first year. Many lng term benefits arise frm this plan and create mre pprtunities afterwards. It has been realized that we cannt cater fr every yuth; hwever we can prvide resurces and pprtunities. 4
2. The Challenges Facing Yuths a) Disinterested Yuth Disinterest is the state f nt being influenced persnally with the invlvement in smething r just having n cncern. What causes Yuths t be disinterested in their Cathlic faith? Sme suggestins are: They lack a clear understanding f their faith The feeling f Mass is bring Migratin t ther cuntries/cmmunities They are distracted by living a materialistic mre than a spiritual way Perceptin f Gd t be unfrgiving and unyielding; they re ashamed r guilty t g back t church. Feeling f being unwelcmed and nt appreciated Insecurities f sme parents Lack f mtivatin twards yuth within Cathlic churches They d nt understand their Faith Sme yuths are nt t clear n the meaning f signs and symbls f ur Cathlic Church. This lack f knwledge leave them easily influenced by the negativity shared in the media r frm nn-cathlics. In ur Cathlic faith, signs and symbls help us t have a mre precise cncept as t why certain things are dne the way they are. Yuth tday are easily influenced by negative prpaganda abut the crss; the significance f sme numbers alluding t evil things and the assumptin that we wrship Mary, Saints and statues in ur church. Hwever, nt everything we hear is true. This can lead t disinterest in their Cathlic faith. Mass is bring (Stigma and perspective f bring) Yuth s perspective that mass is bring, the music is dreary and the church is ritualistic is increasing. Sme perceive that the sermn shuld be mre precise: that the priest s hmily des nt inspire them. Als, freign accents f sme priests are very strng and hence they misinterpret r lse interest in what is being said. Regarding music, a lack f instruments causes sme t say that "they dn't feel the Spirit ". Active participatin in the mass, will help yuths t grw in their faith and self-cnfidence. It will create a feeling f appreciatin and help t mtivate yuths t be mre active in the church. 5
Migratin t ther cuntries r ther cmmunities We cannt cntrl, but hpe that yuths attend, participate in Mass & church activity wherever they relcate. Distracted by living a materialistic way mre than a spiritualistic way In tday s wrld, technlgy seems t be spearheading everything. Our scial life ccurs ver a screen that fits cmfrtably in ur hands fr cmmunicatin. Easy access t varius apps and messengers n ur fancy gadgets creates an pprtunity t chat and pst pictures f mments fr everyne t see. But in the lng run, d we really NEED these gadgets t cmmunicate? Wuld the peple we cmmunicate with always be there fr us? We ve lst the need fr persnal relatinship with each ther and mst imprtantly, with ur Gd. Our decline in spiritual value and increase in material desires creates disinterest in the church. Perceptin f Gd t be unfrgiving and unyielding: They re ashamed r guilty t g back t church When ur relatinship with Gd and even families are brken, we stray away frm the church and its teachings. Whether it be at ur jbs, with friends r in ur daily lives, we all try t survive. Sme situatins may becme challenging and verwhelming. D We Lse Faith? D We Lse Hpe? We tend t feel that n ne wuld understand r we are unwrthy f being frgiven; Gd is merciful and always willing t frgive and accept us back t him. Yuths shuld be encuraged nt t give up r lse hpe regardless f their failures. Peple in church shuld be mre welcming (slace in church) 'Church is a hme away frm hme'. A hme is smewhere ne shuld find lve, security, a sense f belnging, cmfrt and cmpassin. Yuths smetimes feel that they are unwanted and used in sme ways. E.g, they are nly called upn when there s an event in church. The first thught f leaders wuld be t get the yuths invlved, after which, there s n gratitude shwn twards them? Nt everything we d deserves a medal, but rather, we deserve t be appreciated in rder t feel that we t, are part f the Church. The insecurities f sme parents causes children t lack interest in participating in sme activities. Sme yuths d nt participate r ask their parents t participate in any activity, because they fear rejectin. Yuths need t scialize, indulge in different cultures and meet new peple since it s frm these very experiences, we learn different things. With cnstant rejectin, we lse interest in church and any activity. Parents shuld mtivate their children by allwing them t participate in varius activities. Shuld there be security cncerns, they t can attend and bserve, whilst lending supprt and familiarizing with the crdinatrs, s that in future, they can allw their children t attend activities withut insecurity issues. Lack f mtivatin twards yuth within Cathlic churches Are yuths being encuraged enugh? Is the church playing an active rle in utilizing and keeping yuths within the Church, ecstatic t participate and a cnstant mtivatin t be cnsistently active within the church? 6
b) Interested, but lacking supprt and resurces Yuths within the dicese are willing t be active in their Parish, hwever, there s a lss f trust and dedicatin. There are several factrs that can be cnsidered as reasn fr this lack f full participatin; As yuths, we accept the fact that we aren't always crrect even thugh we can argue why we genuinely think we are. Hwever, yuth activities tend t get us excited. We can, if allwed, make preparatins befre the actual activity is fully determined upn. Smetimes in planning, things may get cmplicated r misunderstd. The activity then quickly fades, withut an explanatin as t what went wrng and where we can be crrected, all ur anticipatins als fades and we lse hpe. This causes disinterest and future cllabratin between yuths and adults in the church. If there s an errr in ur planning, instead f ridicule r shun dwn ur ideas cmpletely, we'd rather ur leaders cme up with slutins t ur prblems even if it means they themselves take part in what we had riginally planned, s as t build self-cnfidence within us. Yuth has a desire t participate in activities, but are uncertain either because f the attitudes f ur elderly parishiners, r their parents. Yuths are relatinally driven, hence there s a cnstant desire fr activities fr them t interact with thers. When an activity is cnsistent, we lk frward t that. If there's a pause in events, yuths tend t get discuraged. Yung peple like t be active in their Parish, hwever, lack f activities rganised by Parishes t keep them ccupied caused them t becme bred and ceased participatin. It can either be that they are willing, but nt getting enugh supprt needed r they resrt t nly attending High Masses and fund day etc. Sme yung peple thrughut the dicese are attending cathlic churches, hwever, are nn-cathlic. They are willing t participate fully in the church s activities, but due t their status, they cannt; elders in the church are nt encuraging them jin the prcess f becming a Cathlic. Parents als, smetimes cntributes t this dilemma, the child may want t be cnverted, but because their parents being nn-cathlic, they d nt allw their child t becme a Cathlic. Anther reasn fr nn-invlvement in church activities can be due t the way yuth perceive the structure f the liturgy. It seems either t bring r they just dn t understand. When asked hw it can be imprved, they smetimes give suggestins but leaders think it shuld nt be changed, since they came and met things that way and they (leaders) are cmfrtable with the way it is. Catechists d nt encurage children t take part in activities at an early age when they are mre willing t participate. Yuths are nly encuraged t participate when they re abut t leave the Sunday schl prgramme. This causes yuths t feel that they are being pressured, since they didn t get the supprt frm their teacher in previus classes. They are then asked t g int varius Ministries within the church (service prject) 7
thinking that they participate fr the sake f cnfirmatin, thus, after cnfirmatin, they n lnger wants t be a part f that Ministry. Sme yuths exercise free will and make chices t find what they perceive as happiness. Sme chse t make their wn decisins, which may be dne independently r influenced by peers. These decisins may cause yuths t church hp t different denminatins r Parishes in the Cathlic Church. They have a desire t attend church, but n supprt is given fr them t be stable. Smetimes Yuths chse t stay in the church they visited, because they feel mre cmfrtable r it's livelier. c) Willing and able, but facing adversity Yuths in the Cathlic Church face much adversity, even when they are interested, willing and capable. These are willing t be mre invlved, ffer a helping hand, and can be depended upn and give their pinins. Hwever, these types f yuth are barricaded by the adversities that they face, even after crssing hurdles relating t interest and capabilities. In this sectin, we will lk at sme f the adversities faced by yung Cathlics in Guyana. Lack f supprt Yuths within the Cathlic Church are calling fr mre supprt frm parents, lder flks, as well as fellw yuths like themselves. Yuths cmplain abut their ideas being rejected and nt pndered upn, as well as the knwn issue f lack f adult and parish supprt during yuth events. Sme yuths are willing and interested in becming invlved in Church activities, even in taking leadership respnsibilities, hwever, due t wrk, studies and family, a cmmitment cannt be established. Other cmmitments such as schl, lessns r wrk, raises questins f pririty/priritizatin, thus further accents n the fact that the current generatin has mre rles and respnsibilities as time prgresses. Hwever, t the inference, have we nt expressed the imprtance f the Cathlic faith that it is n lnger a pririty? If we verlk the fact, that we, have neglected t emphasize the imprtance f the Cathlic faith and the bdy f the church as a majr pririty, then hw can we nt expect the yunger generatins t fllw suit. Criticism twards yuths is cnstantly being verlked. Yuths within the Cathlic Church face a surmuntable amunt f negative criticism rather than cnstructive criticism. Yuths within the Cathlic Church are always being highlighted n the wrng actins that they may be executing, withut any frm f psitive encuragement and guidance. Smetimes as an adult r authritative figure within the church; the way in which we cmmunicate, becmes equally as imprtant, as what exactly is being cmmunicated. 8
Family struggles Within sme blended families parents may riginate frm different religius backgrunds; thus, cnflicts f interest may arise with regard t religius beliefs. With each parent having a different religius belief r backgrund, it becmes hard t maintain cnsistency at a particular place f wrship. While the yuth may be willing t participate in a particular activity n a specified date, that day may be the designated date t share in the ther parent s faith belief; thus resulting in either ging t church with them r partaking in the activity. Families facing financial difficulties that live distant frm cathlic churches, may find it difficult t attend church cnsistently, especially in cases where persnal transprtatin is nt available. In sme situatins, a family might be faced with financial difficulty, thus, are frced t priritize their expenditures. Parishiners may nt be invlved r assciated with the parish clsest t hme, but rather ne in which they have cnnectins with. The parish may be lcated a great distance and travel becmes a heavy cst. With this, the church is disregarded as a necessity/pririty and is placed far behind human necessities such as fd and husehld sustainability. This als give rise t nn-attendance at mass. Discriminatin and steretyping Yuths ccasinally feel that they are being discriminated against; Title s such as Yung Peple. Yung peple are irrespnsible r Yung peple are always late are ften used. Sme yuths are nt given a fair chance due t every yuth being assciated with these stigma. Generatinal Gap It is bvius that the generatinal gap is an actuality. Sciety has been cnstantly evlving frm its inceptin, thus, peple as a whle, are being influenced and frced t adapt and change. Sme refuse t accept and acknwledge change, thus, varying views cnflicts as each generatin exist; the cnflict being the way in which a task r item is t be cnducted, carried ut r established. Each with differential value, nt necessarily wrng but just different. The lack f pen-mindedness, willingness t change r cmprmise and listen, are issues within, that drive each effrt t a dwnfall as cllabratin and cmmunicatin are attempted. This may becme detrimental twards the future f the church. Lack f Yuth fellwship Yuths in general, feel there is nt enugh yuth fellwship amng their peers. Yuth fellwship is freseen, t encurage yuths t attend church and cnsistently invlve them, even as self-mtivatin is at a standstill. 9
Prblems in catechetical frmatin There is a lack f service being taught in the Sunday schl prgrams. Being f service t thers at hme, schl, r at church, shuld be smething that is engraved in yuth. S that, rather than it being a burden when we called upn t vlunteer, we shuld be ready and willing (as prfessed at cnfirmatin). Children hwever, are given t many ptins; D yu want t d this, that r neither? If we let them decide, they will chse neither, unless we put them t d smething. When they understand the meaning f service, they develp a spirit f willingness t always assist in the church. We then find that they wuld return, knwing that they are appreciated, at ding smething. In the Sunday schl prgram, children are taught frm a teachers manual frm the Bks 'Year A t Year F' with Year F leading t Cnfirmatin. Cnfirmatin fr sme can be seen as a 'Graduatin ceremny' frm church. This is highly prevalent in mst parishes. Yuths mainly cme back t church fr the imprtant activities such as Lent (mainly Gd Friday Service) and Advent (Christmas Mass). At Cnfirmatin, we received the fruits and gifts f the Hly Spirit. Hence, we shuld be Stewards and disciples t spread His wrd in rder t encurage thers t cme t church. Service is smething that children shuld be taught at a yung age. 3. The Opprtunities t Strengthen Yuth a) Mre Interest T engage the yuth in a greater capacity in the Cathlic church f Guyana, we must instill a sense f cmmunity and reliability. These tw aspects; cmmunity and reliability, allw the yuth within the church t be mre interested and therefre mre invlved in activities. The amunt f pprtunities and activities available fr yuth is nt dependent n the quantity, but rather the quality. By ensuring the quality f events and pprtunities available fr the yuth, it will reinfrce a reliable and rganized Yuth Office f the Church. In additin, ffering cnsistent prgrams in the church, habits are frmed; a habit that will hpefully becme a regular yuth prgram available t all. Anther way t increase interest amng yuth invlvement wuld be t create a cmmunity. Yuth and yung adults are drawn t cmmunities and activities t which they feel a sense f belnging and care; fstering a sense f cmmunity and by getting t knw ne anther persnally and by serving with ne anther, camaraderie develps. Camaraderie is the base fundatin f yuth ministry and hpefully with time, it will fster the develpment f deep and life-lng friendships that will supprt ur yuth spiritually, and thrughut all their life endeavrs. b) Mre Capacity With added capacity, educatinal pprtunities shuld be mre readily available t the yuths, especially thse that are nt cmprehensive in reading and writing skills. Once an individual has an inclinatin f the skills mentined earlier, t sme extent that persn will seek understanding. (Ask questins) 10
Yung peple entering the priesthd and religius life shuld feel welcmed and appreciated; an establishment f a cmmittee can bst this system. A strng belief that we are and belng t the Bdy f Christ, with this being said, a Yuth Seminar shuld be held bearing the title I am! And belng deeply, t the Bdy f Christ. Hence the agenda will be built arund the title e.g. the use f scripture that highlights this aspect etc. Mre faith building activities; the Ministries within the church shuld be encuraged t engage in small talks within their respective Ministry, t help with the grwth f their Faith, whereas in time, the discussin can be spread thrughut the cngregatin at large. Secndly, the vice f yuths must be heard and addressed reserving a special day f every mnth t listen, this prvides an pprtunity t becme aware f the Yuth s level f interest. Therefre prjects, prgrams etc. can be designed t suit their interest resulting in high participatin. Three essentials fr cntinued invlvement f the yuths: 1. Frmatin 2. Sustainability 3. Stay within the interest f the yuths c) Less Adversity Mre supprt by the adult and parents in the church Parents and adults play an imprtant rle in church and spiritual develpment fr yuths; encuragement t cme t church and guidance where necessary. Yuths may need educatin abut their faith, adult and parental figures culd fill this gap Less restrictin, less criticism and mre mtivatin / cnstructive talk Yuth s ideas and pinins shuld be heard and respected and where necessary pinted in the right directin and crrected in a dignified, yet nurturing manner; yuths aspiratins and ideas shuld be cnsidered greatly when decisins are being made. Sensitize leaders n the difficulty faced by Yuths t apprach them, and the hstility meted ut t yuths by church elders. Mre faith and trust given t yuth by the elders in the church Adults having mre trust and faith in yuth, s that they can vice their wn cncerns and make infrmed decisins. Yuth having mre access t resurce in the church With access t mre resurces, the yuth wuld be mre taken up and invlve in mre church activities and can teach and inspire ther upcming yuth t be mre active. E.g. frming a chir/ yuth grup, planning fund-raisers. 11
Mre activities in the church fr the yuth t take part in at a yung age When yuth are given mre activities in church at a yung age they learn t be mre respnsible and mature in thinking, they are mre likely t be invlve in church as they grw lder. Having mre interactin in mass / services between the celebrant and the yuths wuld get the attentin/ interest f the yuths; they wuld want t be mre invlve in mass/services and learn mre abut their faith. Yuth s prgrams/ frums Having a yuth prgram/ frums every mnth will keep the yuths lking frward fr smething; they wn t lse interest in the church E.g. Mvie Night, Bible Quiz, etc. Als create settings fr yuths t have pen cnversatins n sensitive issues affecting them, such as teenage pregnancy, drugs, frnicatin etc. Cunselling sessins shuld be dne in the church Knwing they have smene cnfidential t talk t r cnfide in, wuld be much appreciated, because they knw that they wuldn t have t face their prblems alne. 4. Respnse Optins The respnsibility fr determining yuth needs, lies primarily with the parish. Having reviewed the type r types f challenges being faced by yuth, parishes may cnsider the fllwing ptins fr lcal actins in chsing respnses that are mst apprpriate t their situatin. The Dicesan Yuth Department can be apprached fr supprt and partnership. Other Dicesan bdies, particularly the Catechetical Department, the Stewardship Cmmissin and the Family Life Cmmissin will be imprtant partners in the implementatin f this plan. In summary, the fllwing respnse ptins are divided ver time accrding t the categries f immediate/shrt-term/lng-term, and with a view t recgnising the different needs, acrss yuths that are either disinterested, interested but lacking capacities, r willing and able but facing diversity. Taken tgether, the lcally and apprpriately chsen respnses will prduce changes t the fllwing present day statistics: N. Of Parishes/Cmmunities in Dicese N. Of Active Yuth Grups 15 + Cnfirmatin frm Reg.# 5,6,8 & 9 N. f Cnfrmants in 2015-16 N. Actively invlved in Parishes 12