I know its been a while since I’ve written about this. Its been a wild ride in having to organise this and that. I think by now I’ve got a bit of clarity which is good. But I should be doing this everytime we finish a YMN. So hopefully we can continue with this.
I won’t comment on the Youth Mass because I think I’ll start making comments again once I’ve started getting involved with the planning of the youth mass. We’ve had to reshuffle people around the place because we’ve had people drop out. I’ve taken more of the Youth Coordinator role now. Sending emails, check mins, holding meetings. On top of that, I’ve suggested to get more involved with Education and liturgy side of things. I decided to take this on because; one, the nature of my job and two, it would be good practice for my teaching career. So I hope to practice teaching skills while I organize youth nights and youth masses. There is a level of being able to keep leaders being involved so a side of management to.
OK so the youth night. The theme was community. A topic I hoped that we would cover having already been through “breaking the shackles” of our sins and “Social Justice September.” We followed the gather, proclaim, break and send structure. I good structure to keep our focus on. We gathered them in a circular formation and started off with a bit of refreshments. In the past we left the food till late. Because we aren’t able to prep the food in time, we still need to provide some form of refreshments. Youth tend to get restless if they have nothing in their stomachs. Red cordial was a good choice hehe. A friend of mine says:
Jesus never spoke to empty stomachs
I love that quote. How can we let Jesus speak if we can give them basic essentials. Moving on we had a bit of an introduction, music, games, testimony from the Volunteers and then the proclaim. The proclaim was getting people to come up with one word on what community meant, involved or an example of. When members would say a word, two other members would put that up on the computer which is projected on the screen for everyone to see using Word Art function in Microsoft Word. I found this really effective and engaging during the session. Everyone made a contribution, members supported each other in their responses giving ooohs and aahhs. A really good atmosphere. At the end of it we came up with a montage of what community is. This isn’t the image cause I forgot to save the file. But this is a little sample of what we did
We then broke off into 3 groups in which group had a focus on an aspect of community. There was “Supporting each other”, “Resolving and argument” and “Working together”. Each group needed to create a skit that related to each aspect of community and present it back to the group. One of the groups finished late in completing the task in time, so I had to quickly come up with game to fill in the time. Its important to have a few fill ins. The last thing you want is youth standing around doing nothing. Yuck! So When they came back we started the presentation. Afterward, we ended of with prayer, each member praying for one thing for the person to right and then had a impromptu presentation from some members.
Before youth night began, there was a plan for the night. By the end of it, we only completed 80% of it. There were 2 presentations that came up from no were which filled time. I think its a good idea to OVER prepare for meetings, and just let the night take care of itself. Preparation is the goal you have in mind, but also be open for a bit of input from the members. It’s their youth night just as much as yours. They want to present something, either allow them or assign it for next youth night. I’m happy with the planning process and our over preparing. Its better having nothing at all.
Other than that, its all good.
God bless
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Tell Stories
We all see Monday’s as a bit of a drag. We’ve come back from the weekend and we find ourselves at the beginning of another long week. We come into the office or an 8am class wishing that we were still in that fantastic weekend just past. I think the special term for that is, Monday-itis. Please correct me if I’m wrong on that one. But the one thing I enjoy about Monday’s, is an opportunity to tell people about that fantastic weekend. Or to see how their weekend was. Whether it was a chance to relax, to get out, to experience something new, there is always a story to be told about how our weekend went.
On a Monday when I tell that weekend story to my friends, my boss, family, girlfriend, its an opportunity to share with them who I am. Its an opportunity for them to share who they are. Its an opportunity to excite, to sympathize, to create mystery, thought, discussion, argument and amazement. What ever the story may be or how it makes us feel, its an opportunity to engage. Telling stories is a great way to invite young people into a relationship with you and through that, a relationship with Christ. The story, does not always have to be your personal testimony. It can be about anything that can provoke a certain emotion. You want people to laugh, tell a joke. You want people to be inspired, tell something about success. You want people to sympathize, tell a story of heartache.
In youth ministry, I find that we often forget the power of words. We’re just so bombarded, with different kinds of multimedia like video’s and music. What ever happened to the spoken word? The means by which a story is portrayed is a different topic all together, but whats more important is the delivery of the story. Does your story capture peoples imagination? Does your delivery invite people to know more? Are they drawn by the every word you say? Does it make them think about their own lives? Does it challenge them? It is here, where we want young people to be.
I’ve come to believe, that it is our stories and the way we deliver them that draw us closer together and to Christ. Now I’m not saying I’m the best story teller. I’m probably not the best person to give a speech but I’m willing to learn a thing or two about how to tell good stories. If you have a resources, please feel free to comment it here on this post.
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12.07.09 YMN Thoughts
Mass
For me it was a job well done. It seemed everything just went smoothly. Even without our person looking over the slides. Even though people were missing, coming late, we still managed to have a good mass. Well done to the team. The only thing that was bit of a worry was that the slides weren’t done. But that was easily managed.
I think we would be able to add on a few things now to the liturgy now. I think we’re able to make a few more creative ideas to the mass.
Youth Night
This was winged and a half. And it showed through our lack of planning. In the meeting we didn’t really flesh out what was needed. Although we still came out on top. I thank God for the smaller crowd or else we wouldn’t be able to handle so many. I think most of them would be bored. I think we need more intense promotion, but not only that, good dynamic within the night. Youth come back if there is something worth coming to. Where it makes the night unmissable. I was just wondering where did all the youth go. One night they’re there the next night they’re not. Maybe they knew we weren’t planning. Who knows. But I think planning in advance is the key to making a good night. We’re making good ideas on the wiki, but when it comes to the leaders meeting, we need to make final decisions. In saying all this I think we work really well with improv. But nonetheless, we should be planning things out properly.
Other than that its all good
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Me in WYD and AYE 08
This is a speech I gave to our parish at the end of the Augustinian Youth Encounter or one week after World Youth Day 08
WYD and AYE. Two amazing events. For me, it was probably one of the most difficult times in my life so far. But yet, the most enjoyable. For me, it was D day. It had come to the moment where all my hard work would be manifested on the international stage. Especially for the Augustinian Youth Encounter.
When I look back at WYD and AYE, I don’t only think about the two awesome weeks I spent with our youth. I also think about all the decisions, the sacrifices, and the many late nights I’ve had to make in order to get there. When I first began at the order, I knew that my position relied heavily on my relationship with God. That seemed impossible to break as I was working for something that I hoped would bring other young people into communion with Christ. That was our Goal
As the event drew closer with the number of days counting down on the RTA signs, it was easy for me to get lost, in preparing for this, organising for that, talking to this person, emailing that company, paying off this expense, traveling to this place, etc. It felt like I didn’t know what I was working for again and why I was in this business in the first place. The goal was always there, but it was overshadowed by the million other issues that needed to be taken care off. I have to admit I was pretty stressed and sleep deprived. I wanted to make sure I had a great time at WYD and AYE. So I did all I could before the day had arrived. I had promised myself a 2 things.
1. To hang out with BASIC GIFT as much as I could during WYD and AYE and
2. Make sure that AYE was the best thing to be at after WYD
I guess with WYD and AYE done dusted, I feel that God has definitely blessed me abundantly. God has definitely answered and exceed my prayers during the past 3 three weeks.
First, I had the awesome privilege to be with BASIC GIFT during WYD and AYE. Yeah I was also invited to be on the actual pope boat on the Thursday when the B-16 arrived at Barrangaroo. But it doesn’t really compare with being part of a group of young people who are passionate and an enthusiastic about their faith. I have to admit, i reckon we were one of the loudest groups in the city. One of the highlights, was rocking up to a concert at the Opera house where Rosina was singing, and we were the ones being the excited crowd that started all the screaming, the singing and the dancing. Comments from the band that performed included “I want to be with that group” or “That group’s awesome” really gave me boost into why I had taken youth ministry in the first place.
I can’t forget the numerous times we did the Jesus chant. We did it where ever and when ever, including at the Fr Stan concert (By the way is not a product of CYS, St Nics or Fr Stan). Many lost their voices or had sore throats afterwards.
Secondly, the AYE was an event that would allow all our Augustinian communities to come together and celebrate their faith in a more intimate environment. And it was a success, with comments from all communities about how organised it was, how well it was all connected and how everyone got to know each other. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.
On the Saturday of AYE, we were asked how we can be sign of hope in our communities. How we can be an agent of change. I firmly believe that BASIC GIFT has answered that call. That the youth of this parish are a sign of hope for the future. It shows in their thirst for Christ, it shows in their charitable hearts, it shows in their energy to praise and worship, its shows in their prayers for something greater and it shows in their love for God and each other. They are already the sign of hope. The symbol of what is to come after WYD and AYE.
After 2 hectic awesome weeks, I’ve seen our youth express their faith openly, enthusaticaly and passionately. Many of which have discovered or rediscovered their love for God. This is the reason why we as youth leaders do this. This love for God cannot end with us, it must be shared with others.
As a message to all of our youth and young adults in this parish, those active and non active in church activities. Where to from here after WYD and AYE? first things first. We need to start within ourselves. Now that Australia sees us as a vibrant young catholic church,
no longer should we be closed, but open to all what our faith has to offer
no longer should we be embarrased, but proud and passionate for our love in God and for our community
no longer should we be spectators, but fully active, participative baptized catholics who are called to be witnesses to Christ in everything that we do. It all begins right now. WYD and AYE are the starting points. The mission of these 2 events is not over. Its only the beginning.
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Me in Youth Ministry
This is a little sharing I did for all of our leaders
I guess most of you know how I came to be here, with you, sitting at the table with like minded young adults all wanting to make something better out of our youth and young adults in the parish.
But in case you haven’t heard it before, it briefly goes like this. I was a introverted cradle catholic who went off the rails by getting myself into a very promiscuous relationship with a girl. Came back to realise that God was the centre of my life and not my own.
But of course there is more to it than that. And I wanted to focus on my leadership here at St Clair through that time. Now for those who were there back in the day, BASIC GIFT was not the first youth group to form. It surely is the best one to be formed but wasn’t the first. The generation prior did not last long either. As far as I can remember our humble beginnings started off with 8 people in Melchior’s room deciding how we are going to start something at Church.
Little did I know what I was heading in for. I didn’t know anything about my faith. All i knew was that God loved me, mass was for good for people to go to and that we needed to make it enjoyable. What got me started was a priest named Fr Ray. A filipino priest that really knew how to party. Augustinian of course. He’s the one that got me interested. He’s excitement for what he was about excited me just the same. I guess you can say he led me into youth ministry.
While initial plans started happening for youth ministry, I got involved in a relationship. She wasn’t catholic which made it a bit harder to relate to her. Still we hit off anyway thinking that our relationship was based on our promescuity. It also didn’t help that some of my buddies were egging me on. I tried to stay clear from their attitudes but the funny thing is, they to were going to church aswell as in leadership. The reason why I mention this is because of how arrogant it made me. Thinking that i was the man in all cases. That I wasn’t wrong, thinking I was always right. Humble really wasn’t my middle name.
You know how we all belong to different groups here and there, and when you have a party, you invite your friends from here and the from that place and your family is over that way. But somehow they don’t come together. Thats how I tried to base my life back then. Thinking that I can be this arrogant person one minute and then a church leader the next. Appears that I was wrong.
My arrogance, my promescuity, my ignorance, my selfishness showed in my leadership. Leadership to me became being the top dog that would tell other people what to do and demand respect from them. Little did I know that I wasn’t winning the favour of many people, including my own family. All of this was just leading to a single event that would have an everlasting effect on my direction in life.
I got into a heated argument with some of the youth and the youth leaders over a choir practice. It wasn’t the most pleasant time for me. Inside i felt betrayed, but i somehow I knew that it had been my fault as well. That everything that I had become would soon turn out to be the person I despised and didn’t want to be. A person without integrity. I sat in Fr Jun’s car crying, on our way to youth leaders retreat for the order. I didn’t think I was even worthy in even attending the camp. At that moment, I wanted to quit. Just like that. I had come to the point where I couldn’t be bothered anymore. On top that, I knew that I was the only running things here, even with a bad track record morally. How hypocritical I had become. Trying to lead young people to Christ, and here I was trying to get my life back together.
When I look back at it now, i can’t really pinpoint the exact reason why I continued this ministry. I attended a conference which focused on adoration. Time with the blessed sacrament. I guess it gave me time to discern my decisions on where I was headed and it gave me a new hope. Hope that Jesus Christ is our saviour and that God is our Father who runs to us when we have foresaken Him. But there were also little whispers in my ear. It was the small encouragements from many people, young and old alike. People that still believed in me regardless of what I had done. People I had led. Friends I felt that I had betrayed.
With a small hint of encouragement and time in adoration, i found myself in youth ministry once again. Although it wasn’t easy having to deal with the ex leaders who would look at you and dispise you. However I saw youth leadership in a whole new light. No longer I was the arrogant leader, but a true leader who’s job was not to solely to lead, but to serve. The essence of a true leader. I found myself fundraising for WYD, leading the choir (sometimes with only my instrument) and trying to get youth up and going again. I didn’t really succeed in the last 2 points. By myself that is. Until BASIC mama came along. From there, the rest is history.
I guess you can say, that I learned my leadership from such an experience. When I look at myself now. I’m still learning. Experiencing, reading and talking to other leaders. But I never forget that my leadership is not to focus on me. My leadership is to focus on Christ and lead people into relationship with Him. And because he is my focus, he is the reason he gives me the strength to do what I do. He is the reason why I can continue to do this in either shape or form. As I mentioned at Church after AYE WYD, our joy cannot be contained within ourselves, but must be shared with others. Its creating a positive change. Thats leadership.
I just want to end with the guru in leadership from this book I’m reading.
Though you cannot go back
and make a brand new start, my friend.
Anyone can start from now
and make a brand new end.
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Where do we start?
Part of my job is to actually visit Augustinian parishes who want to start some form of youth ministry. So I’m in Queensland attending a meeting of 10 young and not so young people from the parish in where they would like to start some form of youth ministry. But still unsure where they want to end up.
First I wanted to hear where they thought they were as a parish and it was encouraging to hear that they were a welcoming community where there was a sense of fellowship as well as approachable priests. And to hear that there is a want for change, renewal and improvement. I think its the core to actually getting things going. People wanting something. People willing to sacrifice a Sunday evening to talk about change. But it shouldn’t stop there. It needs to be people willing to create this change. To act on what’s been discussed.
Furthermore, it was finding out where to start. Everyone knew what they wanted but to how to actually go about it or where to start was a bit difficult. One young person mentioned that some young people find themselves leaving church because they feel that the job is to enormous that they can find it a chore. There is a sense of truth in that. I mean, you wouldn’t want to throw someone into the deep end of a job and expect them to perform. It needs to start with baby steps. Nurturing the growth of people in the community.
I suggested that everything begins with the mass. It is the only place where members of the community have a chance to reach out to those people. So the question is now, what is peoples experience of the mass? Is the mass valued through our actions? Are they welcomed? Are they invited to participate? I would refer you to my earlier blogs regarding the mass in terms of perfecting what is already there. It was this that I suggested to the group which seemed to have struck a chord. Being able to start small and then grow. Being able to begin with the simplest of task and then step by step, becoming more organised, and more creative. In a sense, its knowing what the mass is about that allows us express our own faith through the different ministries available. I was at the Matt Maher workshop the day before and the word ‘Intent’ came up as we discussed this topic. Intent on how and what we are doing, intent on being a community, intent on Christ.
With this in mind, baby steps and God’s grace, we can bring a community together to be in a fully active, conscious and participative parish.
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Jesse Manibusan
Jesse Manibusan is a singer, guitarist, song writer, comedian and just flat out an awesome Catholic. I had the pleasure to meet him last year whilst spending time with an Augustinian Parish in 2008. His ability to engage the crowd in his presentation is incredible with his witty sense of humor, energy and musical talent.
But its more than just the music that Jesse emphazises. Its asking ourselves, what does it mean to be church? that is at the heart of Jesse’s message. Its at the heart of anything we do at church during mass, youth ministry, music ministry, liturgies, cleaning ministry, etc. Its this point that he asks his audience to focus on. It doesn’t matter what you are a part of, music, welcoming, reading, Eucharistic, Jesse hits home with everyone. I think with how Jesse presents this core value, he leaves us thinking with, how does our own ministry or involvement with the church incorporate this? Is everything we’re doing working towards the community? How can we better engage them?
I’ve seen this for my own eyes with one of our Augustinian Parish inviting him to do a week of workshops, presentations and festivals. With a parish trying to reinvigorate youth ministry, he was able to reinvigorate the whole community with a new sense of purpose, mission and enthusiasm about what it means to be “church”. It is the reason why I strongly recommend anyone to see him and to be enthused about your own ministry and faith community.
So what do we plan for Jesse at St Clair Parish? I propose the following:
1st September 2009 – An evening session on workshop on music and liturgy for musicians and those involved in liturgies
2nd September 2009 – Catechesis as seen on the above video
The reason for 2 nights is to share to musicians and liturgists his knowledge and experience of musical ministry having wrote “Open My Eyes Lord” and “Malo Malo”. We hope that his story may inspire our ministers to be fruitfull in their ministry. This will be also an opportunity for them to answer some questions they may have. The final night is a catchesis conducted by him as seen on the video above. Its an opportunity for all members of the parish including the diocese to participate in this fun and energetic teaching. This event will be open to all members of the parish. With this in mind, we hope to reenergize the parish the same way we did 1 year ago at World Youth Day 08.
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BASICGIFT July Theme
Christmas in July
The theme for this month at BASIC GIFT (Youth Group at St Clair, Brother And Sister In Christ Growing In Faith Together), is Christmas in July. It was a bit hard for me to get around the theme because of how it relates to the gospels. The words that came to mind when I was reading the explanation were trust, optimism and hope. Hope in God’s promise for our lives. When we see kids just go by every word their parents say, we see that there is an undoubted trust. But then I had more questions. If our audience is the young people, are they not allowed to question God’s plan? Are youth not allowed to get angry, frustrated, annoyed when things aren’t going there way? Should we allow them to feel those feelings? I look back at my past and I know it was those things I felt that led me to where I am. Having to question and really rough it out with God. God won at the end of course. It might be different for other people. Which is why I had a bit of trouble getting my head around it.
As we get older, don’t we tend to start questioning things? Whether it be about faith or whether we are going to get our way with God’s help. We always pray that God’s will be done and have that trust in Him. But isn’t God’s will more than just events happening? Isn’t God’s will is to be purely with us? To be with us when we’re feeling happy, excited, great, overwhelmed, in love, down, frustrated, angry, disappointed and annoyed. Nevertheless, its the choice of remaining faithful where ever your life journey is.
Another way to look at the theme of Christmas in July is the notion of giving. We know we give presents during Christmas, but what about giving something more than just a toy or a box of chocolates. What about your very selves? This notion of Charity also ties in with the Gospels. The second and fourth week of the month in which our youth masses and nights fall on have something to do with charity. In the second week, the disciples are commissioned to go forth to the towns and proclaim the gospel, healing the sick and driving out demons. In a sense, we to are called to action to proclaim the gospel. Not through words, but through our actions. The famous St Francis quote, “At all times preach the gospel, and when necessary use words.” Its how we are charitable that proclaims the Gospel. In the fourth week, we see Jesus feeding the 5000. 5000 people is quite a lot. Do we see ourselves even helping 10 people around us? Let alone complete strangers? Quite a challenge.
I guess with the notion of a child like faith with hope and trust, I can see how it ties in with the gospels during this month. Hope in God as we go out to proclaim in Gods word, and hope that Christ does provide us with the basic needs of our daily lives. I’m just wondering if that really challenges young people? Can we assume that they even have a relationship with Christ to begin with?
Hope this reflection helps with deciding how we tackle this guys. Have fun.
God bless
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28.06.09 YMN Thoughts
Mass: I was speaking with a new youth member on the night and I asked her, “So why did you join the youth?” She said to me that she used to go on Saturdays until she went to our 6pm mass on Sunday. When she saw how cool it was she decided to just join. How awesome is that. Just by making the mass relevant and creative with a bit of spice can leave a lasting impression to the mind of the youth. This is testimony to the need of good, well thought out and creative liturgies apart from the normal and mundane that we normally attend every Sunday.
It was good that we were able to take a step up from last time and have someone organise the liturgy. Well done. This is progress. Roles were assigned. It seemed that everyone knew their role and everything was kept to a very basic. Just knowing what they had to do. People took a new opportunity to try something new such as a new commentator position. Still trying to fit into the role but its all good. Just giving a youth participation in the mass is whats important. Its being sure that we see that grow. Create more opportunities to get involved, that’s all we look for in youth ministry. Entice what their gifts can offer and in turn they find themselves enthused and continually converted to Christ.
Music was great as usual. However, the background didn’t run so smoothly. We still needed to write out chords and print things during rehearsal. I was part to blame for that with our pianist ill, I had to take that reigns which I failed to do. My aim is to generate 2 booklets. 1 for during mass as we play during mass. So that when it comes to the next section all we have to do is turn the page. The other booklet is to hold at least 5 printed copies of the all the songs we have done. Our archive. Its not worth bringing a huge bag full of song books in which more than 80 percent of the songs we don’t even use for the night. Have numerous copies ready for other people to print. 2 books that’s all we need.
Youth Night: Youth night ran smoothly again. All leaders putting in their efforts from the foreground to the background which was great. Just a quick note about background people. I just hope that when you have time, try to sit within the audience as well. Its sometimes encouraging for young people to see leaders actually in the crowd listening to their peers preach. It says that although we are leaders, we are also students to one another. That the people talking in front of me are actually worth listening to because they’ve got some wisdom I can learn from. There is a sense of humility there. I understand if there is a lot to do then it must be done. But once that is accomplished, please invite yourself back in.
I know everyone has their way of presenting their topic, but I post my thoughts so that we can all be better in the future. As a religion teacher in training, one thing I’ve I learnt is that when you present youth a topic or issue, the presenter must be able to make the topic relevant and practical. I always like to think I’m taking them on a journey whenever I present. It can be seen in these steps.
1) I start from the most basic point (which excludes the God factor) so that youth can relate with me. Interacting with them and making it funny always works with youth.
2) Once they know what your on about. They know your story a bit, they relate it with a time in their own lives, start step-by-step to add the God factor. How does it relate with God? How does the issue relate to them? How does God relate to them?
3) Give a small example from your own life or someone else’s. If its too graphic, try to present it appropriately.
4) Challenge them. From your talk, what do you hope that they got out of it and end with a challenge for the week ahead.
Just some other advice, try to keep your messages simple, concise and easy to remember. Youth do not have a long attention span. Not discriminating or anything, its just the way it is. Try to keep it simple so that youth know what is the main message that you are trying to portray. Don’t want to have too many messages rolled up into one. Its too confusing. Simplicity is the key. I know this from experience as well. Also try to rehearse your talk so that youth can see that you’ve put some effort into your presentation. People generally appreciate a well thought out presentation. That goes for every presentation you do whether it be at youth, work or school.
Other than that, its all good.
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