Young Challenge people dream social justice

Therese Kyne
2 August 2012

COMPASS, Challenge 2000’s Youth Ministry development and leadership programme for 2012 kicked off in Term 2. Thirty-five young people across Wellington took part in the three month programme based at St Joseph’s in Mt Victoria.

COMPASS stands for Community, Personal, Aotearoa, Spiritual Search and is a sequel to our Odyssey programme. We explored all these elements through a range of activities, input and group discussion. A favourite theme was realising your dreams.

We talked about the Challenge gospel dream of social justice and a young guest speaker told us about her dream of serving the community as a paramedic. Others shared their stories on how faith is relevant for them today and participants were given the opportunity to share and discover their dreams too.

Camp was, as always, a highlight. At Forest Lakes we all had a chance to learn about trust, community, justice, faith and the Sacraments. The young people organised the Mass together and it was a great prayerful and real spiritual moment. A team challenge the next day lead to some great group performances, motivational speeches and fantastic art work. Everyone went home tired and happy and ready for the next event.

The programme ended with three youth Confirmations at our Graduation Mass at the end of July and a number of youth now more ready to serve and lead in their communities. We congratulate you again for choosing to follow the gospel in this way today.

Thanks to all who made this programme possible, especially our fantastic leaders, guest speakers and van drivers! Look out for more events on our website, www.challenge2000.org.nz.

Therese Kyne is a pastoral youth worker.