Going Global With Youth
Volume 7, Issue 4
December, 2006
In this issue:
- Life in the Field
- Called to Action
- Active Solidarity
- Global Thoughts
- Media Watch
- Announcements
- Regional News
Thomas Merton once said, "The Advent mystery is the beginning of the end of all in us that is not yet Christ. "
It is easy to live with the hope of Merton's statement amidst the sweet sound of God's grace in the mountain top experiences of life. Such moments inspire awe and wonder! Yet, we also live in a world where certain realities — poverty, war and conflict, human rights abuses, natural and man-made disasters, human indifference and apathy — challenge our very belief in that statement. The view isn't so clear, grace is seemingly absent, and we may find ourselves asking questions and demanding of God some answers.
Merton states that the Advent mystery — Emmanuel, God with us — is the beginning! Seemingly, that implies there is also a middle . . . the journey traveled where — rather than searching for some ultimate answer to this paradoxical mix of wonder and despair, of life and death — meaning is unveiled in our experience of being brother and sister of each other. Consider the many people with whom we are blessed to have shared stories and companionship. Go deeper, to the human struggles, and listen more carefully to the stories of courage amidst violence. See the witnesses of hope and generosity amidst poverty. Allow the compassion and hospitality of people around the world to touch your life. In these experiences and so many others, God lives in and through all of us; each of us becomes God's embodied love. Such is the Christmas story where God indeed pulls us deeper into the world, inviting us toward what we might become, what God wants us to be, what we hope God sees in us when we cannot see it ourselves.
The promise of Christmas upholds God at the beginning, the end, and right in the thick of the middle — the journey with us. In these Advent and Christmas seasons, and in our celebration of a new year, may our prayer lead us to embody the hope of Christ who dwells in us, moves with us and through us, and yearns for each of us to become his hands, his feet, his voice for the world.
Life in the Field
Ethiopia — Hardship and Hope
Ethiopia has a long history of hardship, enduring drought, famine, food insecurity and conflict. During recent decades, numerous individuals and groups have tried to raise consciousness about the realities of Ethiopians. CRS' response in Ethiopia has ranged from emergency food relief to projects in health care, agriculture and microfinance, to name a few, that promote long-term sustainable development. A short slide show, Ethiopia: Hardship and Hope, juxtaposes the harsh realities of Ethiopia with the hope that can be born out of a commitment to living in solidarity with the poor and to seeking creative solutions that address the roots of poverty.
Providing Treatment and Restoring Hope in Haiti
It is easy to understand if the people of Haiti and other regions of the world ravaged with AIDS lose hope. Yet, in the face of continuing struggle with disease, stigmatization and death, hope is born each day out of compassion and courage. Witness the work of the Bethel clinic that uses a holistic response to serve vulnerable families and children impacted by HIV and AIDS, and learn more about the work of CRS and its partners in Haiti.
Called to Action
Offer Hope to Victims of Typhoon Durian:
On November 30, the Philippines were devastated by the impact of Typhoon Durian, which struck on the heels of two other typhoons. With over 1000 dead and estimates of 85,000 in need of shelter, food and care, you can help CRS respond in its effort to provide aid and continue its work in the Philippines.
Give the Gift of Hope this Christmas: Consider Christmas gifts that foster solidarity and justice. You can purchase a share of a CRS project on behalf of an individual or group. Additionally, handcrafts from around the world are available through the Work of Human Hands Catalog and through CRS partner, SERRV International and their program, A Greater Gift.
Active Solidarity
Justice for Immigrants: A Journey of Hope Campaign: As stated in the pastoral letter, Strangers No Longer, Together on the Journey of Hope, "Our common faith in Jesus Christ moves us to search for ways that favor a spirit of solidarity. It is a faith that transcends borders and bids us to overcome all forms of discrimination and violence so that we may build relationships that are just and loving. "
Welcoming Christ in the Migrant: The U.S. Catholic Bishops invite you to join the 26th observance of National Migration Week, January 7-13, 2007. Numerous resources are available in English and Spanish for Advent, Christmas and the observance. Additional resources on immigration can be obtained through the CRS Education website, including a lesson plan developed by our partner, Education for Justice, that through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching explores the recent U.S. -authorized 700 Mile Wall.
Justice for Immigrants Update: As we look ahead to the 110th Congress, there are signs we may see progress. Both President Bush and Representative Pelosi have stated that immigration is an area where they believe they can reach bipartisan agreement. With the changes in power, the chairs of the relevant committees are supportive of comprehensive reform. While this is reason to hope, it is not reason to rest. Immigration reform is not a partisan issue and there are supporters and restrictionists in both parties. With the Presidential election in 2008, most analysis points to the need to move this year before the posturing begins during the campaign season.
Supporters of comprehensive immigration reform should contact their members to make sure that they take up the issue early in the new year. If your member is Catholic, be sure to educate them on the Catholic Social Teaching that underlies the Bishops position. Our congregations also need to be educated about the churches teaching on this position. Resources can be found at www.justiceforimmigrants.org. For questions, contact Chris West at cwest@crs.org or 800-235-2772, x7454.
Cambodia Connections: Cyber Bridges continues to expand its worldwide reach — this time to Cambodia. In October, students from De La Salle High School in Concord, California began exchanging messages and information about themselves and their school with secondary students and their mentors in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Cambodian participants are all members of a dynamic organization called Youth for Peace which works to promote a culture peace and justice in Cambodia. Working in small groups, Cyber Bridges connects students using an innovative website allowing participants to engage in cross-cultural communication and work together on peacebuilding projects with their peers. Students learn from their partners about celebrations, traditions, family, education, and community. In addition to Cambodia, Cyber Bridges now connects American students in Catholic high schools with youth in India and Palestine. In January 2007, Viet Nam will come on board. For more information in bringing Cyber Bridges to your school community, contact Gloria Peterson at 410-951-7412.
Global Thoughts
Hope in a Battered Land
(This reflection is offered by Hedley Abernethy, Peacebuilding Education Advisor for CRS' US Operations. )
I struggle with the word 'Hope. ' I am not sure what it means. When we say we hope for something, does it actually mean it is unattainable? Or, does it actually mean that, if we work hard, then we can achieve what we wanted to achieve? One of my favorite stories is A Christmas Carol. As Scrooge stands trembling beside his grave, he implores the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come "Is this a sign of things that will be or things that may be?" By hoping for world peace, am I suggesting that this is something that may be or will be. I really want to believe it is something that will be. Read the article in its entirety…
Media Watch
Justice Themes in Advent and Christmas Music
As you plan Advent and Christmas prayer and liturgy with the young people you serve, consider using contemporary Advent and Christmas images and music that link the Christmas story and message of hope to the themes of justice and solidarity with the poor. Some music suggestions are as follows:- David Haas' Where the River Flows is a collection of songs, many suitable for this season, whose themes include hope, peace, and journey.
- Marty Haugen & Donna Pena's We Come Dancing is a live recording of an annual benefit Advent concert for the Center for Global Education, containing seasonal music that underscores messages of solidarity and justice.
- Donna Pena's Diciembre en Mexico weaves themes of justice and peace into seasonal music rooted in Mexican American culture.
- Christmas Child is a Spirit and Song compilation of traditional and contemporary seasonal music from contemporary Catholic artists and that benefits Mercy Corps.
Announcements
Fair Trade Chocolate Contest: Everybody Wins!
The "Raise Money Right" contest can help schools and parishes raise money and bring Fair Trade into the classroom. They also help students, teachers and youth ministers earn prizes such as free trips to Ghana, Fair Trade sports packages, and a year's supply of Fair Trade chocolate from Divine chocolate or coffee from 100% companies such as Peace Coffee and Pura Vida — all in solidarity with the farmers who grow the cocoa of Divine chocolate! All registrants for the contest receive a "Divine" souvenir and the first 50 teachers receive a free copy of "Harvest of Hope" a photo-journal of the Kuapa Kokoo cooperative in Ghana! You must register to win at www.crsfairtrade.org. The holidays are a great time to sell chocolate or do lesson planning for the new school year so register now!
Frontiers of Justice 2007 Now Accepting Applications!
Frontiers of Justice, a joint program of CRS and the National Catholic Education Association for Catholic high school teachers, is now accepting applications for the 2007 program. Through prayer and reflection on Catholic social teaching, participants will connect with CRS' overseas work in education, counter-trafficking and peacebuilding in the United Nations administered province of Kosovo. Participants will also work with a Kosovar teacher on a global solidarity partnership project that will link their students throughout a school year. The Kosovo trip component of the program will be held over two weeks in summer 2007. Application deadline is January 5, 2007 and can be obtained on the CRS website.
World AIDS Day
Though the World AIDS Day observation has passed, the need is great for education on the global realities of HIV and AIDS. CRS continues to work hand-in-hand with Catholic organizations around the world, including the National Catholic AIDS Network to help end the suffering and despair brought about by HIV and AIDS. The CRS World AIDS website contains valuable resources for prayer, education and understanding of the scope of the AIDS pandemic and of the work of CRS. Please share this information with colleagues and other professionals.
Education for Justice
Education for Justice offers numerous educational and prayer resources on Catholic Social Teaching and related topics and issues. Education for Justice is rich in resources and provides opportunities to share, dialogue and connect with colleagues across the nation. Contact EFJ directly to sign up for a free 30-day trial membership.
CRS REGION NEWS
Contact your regional youth program officers for additional information about CRS resources and events in your area.
CRS Northeast
- For information on opportunities to get involved in CRS education and youth programs in the Northeast, contact Dennis Fisher.
CRS Southeast
- Tsunami Rebuilding Hope Banquet, October 12, 2006: Nearly two years after a devastating tsunami struck Indonesia and other countries in Southeast Asia, Catholics in the Archdiocese of Atlanta came together to remember, to celebrate the wonderful diversity of our church, to pray, and to raise awareness of the continuing needs in Southeast Asia. View a slide show depicting how Our Lady of the Assumption Youth Group, Komunitas Katolik Indonesia (the Catholic Indonesian community in Atlanta), and Catholic Relief Services new Southeast Regional office sponsored a night of Indonesian cuisine, cultural dance, and a presentation by Catholic Relief Services on the progress made in the areas of infrastructure, healthcare, education, basic needs and housing, since the tsunami. The event could not have happened without the active participation of the OLA youth group. The teens handed out fliers to promote the event at masses, woke up early Saturday morning to set up the parish hall for the big event and worked late into the evening serving traditional Indonesian Cuisine to the 120 guests present. A look around the room revealed true solidarity in action, youth serving and participating, Indonesian and American families celebrating and learning, and prayers and offerings flowing for our brothers and sisters still suffering from natural disasters in Southeast Asia.
- To develop a similar event at your parish or school, contact Simone Blanchard with CRS Southeast at 404-681-4600.
CRS West
- The Children Left Behind: AIDS Orphans Around the World: CRS West is hosting this 1,200 square-foot exhibit that captures life through the eyes of orphans and other children left vulnerable by HIV and AIDS. As visitors "travel" to each country immersing themselves into the stories of the children, an intriguing picture unfolds of how different life can be when people, communities and organizations work together. The exhibit will show in Bellevue, WA at the Bellevue Regional Library through December 29. A complete exhibit schedule and information about scheduling an exhibition is available online.