Going Global with Youth

Volume 6, Issue 10

June 2006

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. We must also ensure that young people are well equipped for their special mission in the world. All of our efforts to promote an active Christian discipleship and growth in Catholic identity must lead toward mission. This is our special responsibility to the young generation. We pray with the whole Church that we can meet the challenge of Guadium et Spes; ". . . the future of humanity lies in the hands of those who are strong enough to provide coming generations with reasons for living and hoping" (no. 31).

— From Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry, Washington, DC: USCCB, Inc. 1997. 50-51.

For more information on Renewing the Vision, click here.

Young people understand that injustice exists. They can sense deeply when something is very wrong in the world and, as a result, have long been integral in the movements aimed at creating a world of justice and peace. From 18th century war resistors in the United States, to the young activists alongside Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. employing nonviolence against oppression, to the current youth-initiated global efforts against child labor, poverty and war, young people throughout the world have played instrumental roles in committing to social action and effecting change. The challenge for those who work in youth formation then is not to help young people understand the existence of injustice as much as it is to help them believe that they can be meaningful participants — because of who they uniquely are — in the effort to eradicate it.

CRS is committed to helping those who work with youth develop a social consciousness in young people that is founded in Jesus Christ, scripture and Catholic Social Teaching, to mobilize young people to use their unique gifts as change agents, to build upon the social orientation of young people toward fostering a greater awareness of all peoples as one human family, and to provide the skills and resources necessary to do so for all sectors of the Church that are engaged in youth formation.

As you begin your planning for the 2006-2007 school year, consider utilizing the resources offered by CRS and other organizations committed to fostering a commitment to solidarity, peace and justice. This issue highlights many of those organizations and resources available to you. As Going Global with Youth takes its usual summer hiatus, we will follow this issue in one week with a simple online evaluation survey. We would greatly appreciate your taking some time to complete the evaluation survey as we strive to better serve you. For more information on Going Global with Youth, contact Ted Miles by clicking here or by calling 410-951-7475. On your summer journeys, may God give you rest and rejuvenation!

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Announcements

CRS Customer Relations Center Did you know that CRS has a toll-free line you can use for general information and assistance? For all general information on programs like Fair Trade, Operation Rice Bowl, and other U.S. Operations programs for youth and education, call 1-866-608-5978.

CRS Drama Project: The Line in the Sand is now available on DVD! This dramatic theatre performance tells the story of migration through the eyes of 9 different characters, each one based on a real person. The DVD also includes special features such as discussion questions, suggested web links, and an interview with Erica Dahl-Bredine from the CRS Mexico country program. Use THE LINE IN THE SAND as a powerful educational tool for your school, parish, or home. To order visit: www.crs.org/dramaproject.

"Save Lives in Sudan" T-shirt: You can now purchase a t-shirt to help support our response to the crisis in Sudan. All proceeds from t-shirt purchases will support the CRS Sudan Emergency Fund. Your purchase also helps the Nueva Vida Women’s Sewing Cooperative in Nicaragua, the world’s first worker-owned export processing zone. For more information, click here.

CCHD seeks your nomination to honor Catholic Young Adult Leaders: The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) seeks your nominations for the 2006 CCHD Cardinal Bernardin New Leadership Award. This award is designed to recognize young Catholic leaders (ages 18-30) who are actively engaged in changing unjust structures that keep people trapped in the cycle of poverty. The award recipient will be given the $1000 cash award at a reception held in conjunction with the November annual meeting of the US Catholic Bishops in Baltimore. Nomination forms can be downloaded by clicking here or requested via email: mpoulin@usccb.org or telephone: 202-541-3297. Nomination Deadline: June 30, 2006.

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Life in the Field

Indonesia On May 27, Indonesia was rocked with a 6.3-magnitude earthquake that killed almost 6,000 people and left over 200,000 homeless. The spirit and resilience of the people of Indonesia prevail, and together with CRS and many other organizations, they are working to rebuild their lives, communities and homes. To read their stories and learn about the work taking place, click here. To contribute toward our efforts in assisting the victims of this earthquake, click here.

Updates and resources on past issues highlighted in Going Global with Youth:

Sudan CRS continues to be operational in West Darfur State, working in the following sectors; food, shelter, non-food items, water and sanitation, education, and agriculture with internally displaced people (IDPs), host populations, and other marginalized groups affected by the conflict. CRS is also working with local church partners in Khartoum state, building their capacity and meeting the needs of the IDP population in Khartoum, most of whom were displaced from the South and are potential returnees with the advent of peace.

Immigration The immigration issue continues to be in the forefront of the national debate, in part due to the prophetic voice of the Church and to the tireless work of many. It is critical to keep the debate going in your communities. Write to your local newspapers; organize press conferences or demonstrations supporting Comprehensive Immigration Reform. For more information about the U.S. Catholic response to immigration and for resources in education, prayer and ministry, refer to the links below or contact Chris West at 410-951-7454 or by e-mail at cwest@crs.org.

Active Solidarity

CRS Fair Trade Fair Trade programs promote economic structures that make it possible for all of us to support economic justice and sustainability and live in solidarity with others throughout the world. To learn how you and the young people you serve can get involved, visit CRS' ever-growing fair trade website by clicking here.

World Refugee Day (June 20) World Refugee Day has been observed worldwide since the United Nations General Assembly designated the day as such on June 20, 2000. It is a day to recognize and celebrate the contribution of refugees throughout the world. The theme, "Hope," for the 2006 observance was selected to draw the public's attention to the millions of refugees world-wide who are forced to flee their homes. To learn more about the observance or to find events in your area, click here.

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Called To Action

CRS High School Outreach CRS offers a variety of resources and programs for those working in education and youth ministry. These resources are designed to help youth become better informed about the issues of solidarity and justice around the world today. Click here for a complete listing of our current resources. We encourage you to check our website regularly, particularly at the start of the school year, as we continue to improve upon and add to this listing. Likewise, you can also learn more about additional resources and possible speaking engagements by contacting your diocesan and regional directors. To obtain their contact information, click here.

Justice and Peace Educational and Youth Ministry Resources There are numerous other organizations that work in partnership with CRS and also provide valuable resources for education, campus ministry and youth ministry. Please visit their websites for more information on their programming and additional opportunities to engage young people in the work for justice!

Global Thoughts

Young People are the Church of Today! "If we are to reach real peace in this world and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with children. " Mahatma Gandhi

"In you we see the face of God. You are the young Church of today and our hope for the future. You are a mosaic of life reflecting the diversity of our nation and Church. 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. We see and hear how you put your beliefs into action by standing up for the sacredness of human life and the dignity of the individual, by working with the poor and reaching out to those who struggle through life. We see you as leaders among both your peers and the parish community. From the times we have been together, we vividly recall your enthusiasm and energy and your support for us and the priests, deacons, religious and lay people who work with you. " Committee on the Laity and the Subcommittee on Youth, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC: USCC Inc. , 1990.

". . . the young have shown themselves to be for Rome and for the Church a special gift of the Spirit of God . . . young people, whatever their possible ambiguities, have a profound longing for those genuine values which find their fullness in Christ. " Pope John Paul II, Novo Millennio Ineunte, 9

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CRS Regions

Click here for CRS Regional Office Contacts in the Midwest, Northeast, Southwest and West.

Northeast

Mid-Atlantic

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