From the 22nd to the 27th of January 2019 World Youth Day is going to take place in Panama in Central America and the MSC Vocations Team is going to be there. If you want to be part of the largest youth event on the planet read on …
What is World Youth Day?
WYD is an encounter of young people from all around the world with Pope Francis in a fun, faith filled atmosphere. It draws people from every corner of the world for an unforgettable experience. “WYD is much more than an event. It is a time of deep and spiritual renewal; its fruits benefit the whole of society” (Benedict XVI). It is an extraordinary way of sharing faith to strengthen youth in our Church. WYD is held every three years and the last one was held in Krakow (Poland) in 2016.
Great, so what’s the point?
It’s a chance to be part of the largest youth event on the planet and to meet Pope Francis
The initiator and first promoter of WYD was Saint John Paul II, who started this movement in order to enhance our personal encounter with Christ, which is life-changing. WYD also promotes peace, unity, and fraternity among people and nations, commissioning the youth as ambassadors of this message. When you gather for the World Youth Day Vigil with millions (and I do mean millions) of other young people you are reminded that you are part of something global, faith filled and amazingly joyful.
It’s about making a real difference as well, like building a multi-sensory garden
What actually happens?
WYD is a multi-day event with two main group of events: the first one is related to the “Days in the Dioceses”, during which the participants visit to different dioceses in the host country, and on this particular occasion, other Central American countries. During these days before WYD, pilgrims interact with local families (who host them) and strengthen their faith through activities with the communities in the parishes. In Krakow we built a multi-sensory garden for people with disabilities and helped to run a youth ministry programme in the local parish.
The second group is the “Main Events”, referring to the activities planned in the host city: the opening Mass, the welcoming of the pope, the way of the cross, the vigil with the Holy Father and the final Mass. It’s an opportunity to meet with other young people from all around the world. There were millions of youth at both Rio and Krakow and the atmosphere is incredible.
Anita, a youth worker and teacher from outside Athlone, shares some of her adventures with MSC Volunteering …
Games are a big part of the programme
“With our final week fast approaching I am taking the time to reflect and share my volunteering experience with you. Holy Family is an amazing place, Sr Sally and her team have created a family for everyone who comes through the gate. The welcome we received lit up my weary heart and from the moment we arrived we were flooded in hugs and loving little hands wanting to show us their home. I feel such sadness knowing I have only a short few days left with them however I hope to return. An experience like this has opened my eyes and my heart to the importance of, well put simply, love…
There is no shortage of budding artists
Each morning the children, who have been awake since very early are playing games with each other, braiding hair or crocheting among many other things. They see us coming through the quad and it’s a lively loud chorus of hellos and hugs. Each day we arranged a variety of activities and were invited on their occasional days out during the winter holidays. The children were thrilled and excited to be going out for the day, they truly enjoyed it. The morning trip up one of the mountains close by with Fr Vince was a favourite of mine. It was here we were introduced to the splendour and beautiful scenes Mother Nature has to offer and reminded that nature has so much to show us and I was silenced in my astonishment of its vastness and majesty. We are situated close to the Drakensberg Mountains. This is the first lesson I have learned from the children at Holy Family. Make the most from each moment, minute and day enjoy your time together and be grateful to have the opportunities that you are experiencing. These children are some of the strongest people I have ever met and they are so young. The way they embrace each new day, new challenge, new experience without trepidation. Its 100 % engagement in life to the best of their ability. Those smiles will recharge you, reward you, reignite in you your childish sense of play and I began to engage with a new perspective. (more…)
Laura, part of the 2017 MSC Volunteering Team, is a primary school teacher from Co. Tipperary …
The push and pull of volunteering can be a bit tiring!
“I am on the home stretch here in Ofcolaco at the Holy Family Centre. The last few weeks have went so fast. As the time passes, I realise how important it is to cherish every moment here. To love and be with the children as much as I can.
The team here in Holy Family are friendly, dedicated and work their hardest in nurturing every child here; mentally, physically, socially and emotionally. I take my hat off to all of them and I am grateful to have worked with them.
Each day can have its ups and downs
It is hard to put it in words what the centre is like and the experiences you gain. Holy Family, just like its name, is a family and I think it is the perfect word to sum up being here. The first few weeks of being here, allowed us to be with a smaller group of children, 21 to be exact, while the other children spent time with their extended families over the winter holidays. We were able to entertain the children in all types of activities throughout each day, from sports to baking!
Now that all the children are back and school life has commenced. Our duties have changed. I organise the homework club for grade 3 and 4. I support them in their homework and give them additional work to support their learning. I also help with the crèche aged children in the evenings. It is great fun and very lively!
It’s not trespassing to move out of your comfort zone
I have learned so much from these children. In particular, to keep smiling even if you are down. Being grateful for what you have and being happy with that. I will miss all the children and staff here. I wish I could do it all over again.”
This summer, the MSC reached out to support the Loretto Sisters in Rumbek, South Sudan, where they have made huge strides in creating a better life for residents with life saving medical care and essential educational facilities.
During her recent visit to Ireland, Sr Orla Treacy IBVM visited the MSC Missions Office, to personally thank Fr Michael O’Connell MSC and all of the MSC mission friends for their financial support from their recent fundraising Summer Appeal.
Sr Orla, far left, with some of the Loreto School students
“It is unique for one congregation to financially support another one, so this contribution to our work in Rumbek is extremely generous” she said. In 2008, the Loretto Sisters began working in the rural community of Maker Kuei, Rumbek, where daily life is a constant struggle for 1,000 families. During this period they have built a Primary School that caters for almost 900 students, both male and female, where students are guaranteed to have clean water, nutritious meals, access to health care and a quality education.
“A sincere thank you for your generosity and for your willingness to collaborate in helping us with this challenging yet worthwhile mission”.
The Loretto Secondary School is an all girls’ boarding school, where students are educated in social and life skills as well as receiving a full academic tuition. Currently, 240 girls attend this school, and the demand for places is increasing as principal Sr Orla works with families to protect these young women from enforced marriage. As a result of the very successful MSC Summer Appeal the funds collected have been sent to the Loretto Sisters and work has begun on the foundations for a new dormitory which will accommodate 16 girls each year as they embark on an additional internship year and vocational opportunities.
The foundations for the dormitories which will house 16 of the Internship Programme students
In recognition for her work in South Sudan, Sr Orla was the recipient of the 2017 Hugh O’Flaherty International Humanitarian Award, at an event in Killarney on the 4th November 2017. “It is very humbling to accept this award and I do so on behalf of our sisters, staff and students at loretto School in Rumbek, South Sudan” she told a large and appreciative audience who came to honour her inspiring work.
Sr Orla with the statue of Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty and her Humanitarian Award
We are calling on all our mission friends to join with our MSC community in supporting this crucial work in a country that’s crying out for urgent aid.
The winter edition of the MSC Message has arrived!
Get the latest news from the mission fields with updates from our ongoing projects in Venezuela as we celebrate our Golden Jubilee: 50 years in Venezuela.
Read about the MSC Audience with Pope Francis and welcome the new Superior General, Fr Absalón Alvarado.
Meet our new Provincial Leader and his Provincial Leadership Team.
Sr Orla Treacy expresses her sincere gratitude to the MSC and its benefactors for their generosity in supporting the Loreto School Project in Rumbek, South Sudan.
The MSC Youth Team 2017-2018 have hit the ground running and have been doing some fantastic work around the community. They’ve been super busy but have even managed to venture across the water to the UK to share some joy and the message of the Sacred Heart over there. The team this year is made up of six bubbly and enthusiastic young adults who, between them, come from four different countries.
From left to right: Garrett Moore, Michael Mone, Keith Erchinger, Lucy Crispin, Felicia Joosten and Tammie Richardson.
Introducing this year’s MSC Youth Team (Cork NET), we have:
Garrett Moore, 19, from Minnesota, USA
Michael Mone, 18, Texas, USA
Keith Erchinger, 18, Texas, USA
Lucy Crispin, 19, Leeds, England.
Felicia Joosten, 18, Alberta, Canada
Tammie Richardson, 18, from Co. Meath
Lucy took some time out of her hectic schedule to write the following piece for us so as we can keep you up to speed with some of the great work they’ve done to date!
We are a team of six young people working in the Sacred Heart Parish in Cork City. As members of the MSC Youth Team (Cork NET) we help in the running of a young adults youth group, consisting mainly of students, who come together every week to talk, learn and grow deeper in their faith. We run a Parents and Toddlers group where parents can come and relax while their children run wild and have fun. Along with both of those we also hold a Children’s Mass every Sunday wherein the younger children can learn about the gospel in a fun and interactive way through arts and crafts, singing songs and even by playing games. They have so much fun learning about mass in this way and the smiles on their faces speak volumes!
Member’s of the Cork NET Team conducting their Children’s Mass
As well as all of this, the team this year has been working very hard in a number of secondary schools holding day retreats wherein the youth can learn about their faith. We do this through activities, talks, dramas, songs, and, as members of the MSC Youth Team, we are happy to share our own life stories with the groups.
We have also had the amazing opportunity to fly to England and work in the Parishes there! It was a lovely opportunity and we seized the chance to host interactive one hour sessions with over 300 students in Coventry and in St Alban’s. Overall, it has been an incredible start to our year and we are really looking forward to setting up two more youth groups to cater for both the older and younger years of secondary school students. We also have the pleasure of planning off site retreats such as surf, sand and sun retreats for all youth groups to come to and have fun while at the same time getting to know their faith!
We are excited to see what the rest of this year has in store for us!”
Tammie appreciating in the glorious views of Cologne
The globetrotter of the group, Tammie, recently travelled to Cologne to attend the International Nightfever Weekend which took place from the 20th-22nd October 2017. Nightfever 2017 brought over 130 young people from many different countries together to celebrate this very special event. Nightfever is an international initiative by young Christians intended to provide an experience of God’s love and mercy. During the Nightfever Evening events, young people approach passersby in the streets and public squares, offering them a candle and welcoming them to come into church for a while. In the church, multiple activities offer the opportunity to encounter God: lighting candles, picking a Bible verse, writing down prayer intentions, listening to the music, talking to a priest, receiving a blessing or the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In addition to the Nightfever Evening events, the initiative also includes Nightfever Weekends, faith courses / evangelistic courses, academies, etc. Nightfever was founded as an initiative by young Christians after the World Youth Day in Cologne and has meanwhile been established in 27 countries.
A group picture of all those in attendance at Nightfever 2017, Cologne
We look forward to hearing the stories and tales of adventure from the MSC Youth Cork NET team over the course of the next year.
You can keep an eye on the MSC Youth Team’s adventures via their Facebook page, just click here!
