| June 16th, 2006 - "Deus
Caritas Est" Series - QMHR parish hall for 7:00 p.m.
June 23rd, 2006 - Eucharistic
Adoration Praise and Worship 7:00 p.m. in the Church
The
Rally for Life and Youth Mass 2006
QUEEN OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY PARISH YOUNG ADULTS GROUP CONSTITUTION The constitution arose to fulfill a need at 4 levels: within the Young Adults Group itself, within the Core Team (i.e., within the organizational team), within the Parish, and within the Young Adult ministry in general: 1) To serve the Young Adults Group: The document is intended to contain the vision and scope for the group as discerned by the Core Team. As its introductory letter states, the constitution assists us in our ministry by providing guidelines and structure to our activities. 2) The Core Team: Similarly to the above, the constitution assists here by providing detailed guidelines and procedures. This helps in the organization and focus of the Team as it directs the ministry. We can attest that our job has been made easier once we had the constitution. 3) The Parish: Parishioners always appreciate knowing what is going on within the parish. Making the constitution public allows them to see who we are and what we are about. Furthermore, keeping good and accurate records does not always occur. Often, with the changing of organizational members, ministries have had to come up with new procedures and structures because it is unknown or forgotten that such things were at one time in place. This 'reinventing the wheel', as far as the Young Adults Group is concerned, is hopefully prevented with the constitution's publication. 4) Other Young Adults Groups Worldwide: When Father George Sammut assembled us as the Core Team, asking us to found a Young Adults Group, we found the task somewhat daunting: none of us had ever been in a young adults group, and no one was completely sure how such a group should function. After all, what is a Young Adults Group? We turned to other parishes and Dioceses worldwide searching for some help. After a prolonged and empty search, we decided that it was up to us to forge our own way. Now that a document has been produced we hope to make it available via the internet to other groups and potential groups, hopefully assisting them in their ministry. We are including this information in order for everyone to better understand the document. It is also to serve as a disclaimer: if parts of the document seem redundant and trivial, it is because that overall we are trying to address the needs that have arisen within the four areas distinguished above. We sought to be as detailed and precise as our experience revealed necessary. With thanks in Christ, The Core Team, Anna Chan, Geoff Guitard, Carlos Martins
The young man said to him, "I have kept all these; what do I need to do further?" (Mt 19:20)
January 2002 Dear Friends, It is with great joy that we begin this new year and celebrate the first anniversary of the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Young Adults Group with the presentation of its recently completed constitution. We have gathered together due to a stirring of our faith and a desire for fellowship. But it is also by another desire that is innate to us all. It is the same desire that the rich young man expresses to Christ in the Gospel: "What do I still lack?" The encounter between Christ and the young man is a sign of hope for all generations, especially for young adults who seek to answer this question. As young adults, we have come side by side to Christ in this apostolate, asking Him to speak with us. And we listen to His answer to the young man in Scripture as if it were addressed to each one of us: "Come follow me." For some, these words may be the first they have heard Christ speak to them. For others, they may be the continuation of a conversation already long begun. But for all, they are a glimpse of the inestimable love of God. It is by the means and guidelines set forth in this constitution, and by the constant assistance of the Holy Spirit, that we seek to advance this timeless and eternal dialogue between us and God. Much time, thought and prayer has been exerted to bring this constitution together. The words given here share with all the identity of this group. It reveals the need of ministry for young adults within a parochial setting, and should be used as a guide to inspire young adults to carry on the mission of following Christ. As we embark on this faith journey with Christ, we are grateful for your presence, and it is our hope that He grant you every blessing and encouragement for the future.
The Core Team
Then Jesus looked upon him with love and told him . . . come follow me. (Mk 10:21) I. Statement of Mission Believing strongly with St. Irenaeus that The glory of God is man fully alive (Adversus haereses, XX.20), the Young Adults Group seeks to value the treasure of our Catholic faith through spiritual, intellectual, moral, and social engagement and discussion. Our hope is to assist young adults in enriching their relationship with Christ by developing a solid understanding and practice of the Catholic faith, in a manner that is obedient to the Magisterium, and to the Spirit of the New Evangelization of Pope John Paul II. II. Objective of the Young Adults Group There needs to be a renewal of what you call a curiosity about Christianity, the desire to really discover what it=s all about. It would be very important ... to show the way out of this feeling of staleness, this feeling that we are already long familiar with this, to create a curiosity about the richness hidden in Christianity, so that this richness is regarded, no longer as a matter of burdensome systems, but as a living treasure that is worth knowing. --Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (Salt of the Earth, p. 18) The purpose of the Young Adults Group is to provide Catholics in their twenties and thirties with an opportunity for the renewal of which Cardinal Ratzinger speaks, by facilitating spiritual and intellectual discovery, and by offering a venue for fellowship with committed and devout Catholic young adults. The Young Adults Group possesses a strong educational and formational character. It seeks to assist its members in acquiring and practising knowledge of our faith within a relaxed social setting. All too often, education aims at simply increasing one=s knowledge, yet it fails to foster a freedom in the knower. For without the freedom to receive, integrate, and employ the knowledge adequately, it remains inert, or worse, becomes destructive, if it leads to pride. It is in Christ that we come to know the truth par excellence, since the truth we find in Him contains the power to set us free. Thus, the kind of education and formation with which this ministry seeks to assist its members, is one that challenges them to be active and integrated members of the Body of Christ, who are living in the world, but who transform it and themselves in Him. We believe this transformation is vital in bringing about a culture where Christianity is clearly seen, in the words of Cardinal Ratzinger, as a Aliving treasure that is worth knowing.
III. History and Inspiration for the Young Adults Group The Young Adults Group arose from a natural gathering of young adults in the parochial community. Due to the wealth of gifts and talents present amongst the group, it seemed equally natural to establish a meeting place within the Parish in which these gifts could be nurtured and shared. It was not for lack of existing Catholic groups that a desire for a Young Adults Group arose. Within the local community, groups of prayer, praise, catechetics, apologetics, Eucharistic adoration, Scripture study, Marian devotion, youth ministry and campus ministry could be found. Yet, something seemed needed to complement this spectrum of Catholic experiences. A ministry specifically created to discover and espouse the rich intellectual and spiritual heritage of the Church, with a special focus on the relevance of these to young adulthood, was lacking. The Young Adults Group seeks to fulfill this lack.
IV. General Considerations for Members of the Young Adults Group The goal of the Young Adults Group is, as Cardinal Ratzinger states, to try Ato create a curiosity about the richness hidden in Christianity, so that this richness is regarded, no longer as a matter of burdensome systems, but as a living treasure that is worth knowing. To this end, the Young Adults Group has structured itself to be an outlet of exploration, where our faith=s richness can be encountered and appreciated. The majority of the Young Adults Group gatherings will focus in an intellectual way on Christianity's richness. The goal here will be to discern the workings of God in our faith and in our lives. However, this does not imply that the task of teaching falls solely on the shoulders of the speaker or facilitator for the evening. In order to make our gatherings more enriching and profitable for everyone, each member is encouraged to be an active participant. Although some of what is offered may be difficult to grasp, and may even seem beyond the scope of one's understanding, this is to be expected when learning about a faith as rich as ours. Much work and discernment has been done on the part of many in order that the gatherings may be profitable to all. It should be noted that it is not always necessary to understand everything in order for a gathering to be profitable. If one walks away with a previously unknown insight, then one has been enriched. Each member is asked to come with a heart open to receive the truth the Lord is offering through the activities. This may include listening with a faith-inspired curiosity, making an effort to understand and appropriate the thoughts and ideas being presented, being open to new convictions and perspectives, asking questions for clarification, sharing similar or dissimilar insights, offering suggestions, etc. A project, such as this one, that seeks to bring about a transformation in its members, demands that those members rise to the challenge. It demands an individual response. The goal is to place oneself into a relationship B a contact B with God through what one is offered, so that at the outset one may reply as the author of Samuel, ASpeak LORD, for your servant is listening. (1 Sam 3:10) art.1. Any young adult is welcome to be part of the Young Adults Group. Being a member of the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Parish is not a prerequisite. Bringing guests is also highly welcome and encouraged. art.2. Each member is asked to do whatever is necessary in order to extract insight and wisdom from an activity. Asking questions or offering personal reflections is not only appropriate, but encouraged. Some general guidelines to form a question one may ask the speaker, or a comment one can offer to the group, include: - In what way is this insight connected with what I already know about the faith? - In what way is this not connected? How might it be connected? - Is it clear how the Lord is acting here? - How might knowing this help to perfect me (or others)? - Does this sort of thing demand some sort of specific (moral) action on my part? If so what might that be? - Do I know something from past experience that may help to shed more light on this? - How have I experienced this before? art.3. If one feels it is appropriate to disagree or offer a criticism as part of an evening or a talk, one should remember that such comments are only helpful if they offer concrete and constructive suggestions. Only in this way can a suggestion be worthwhile and productive, contributing to the ongoing development of the Group. art.4. Members of the Young Adults Group are encouraged to make their gifts known. Each person is blessed with unique and needed qualities and should feel free to offer help or assistance at any level, whenever it is deemed appropriate. The Group is grateful and appreciative of any input. art.5. Each member of the Young Adults Group is humbly asked to pray for every other member of the group, as well as for the Parish. The battles on earth are huge and there are no unimportant moments. The faithful prayers of brothers and sisters are needed at all times. Besides, nothing goes unseen and unrewarded with God: AAnd the LORD restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends; and the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. (Job 42:10)
V. General Considerations for the Members of the Core Team A Core Team comprised of group members will have the special task of servicing and directing the Young Adults Group. Normally this team will consist of 3-4 persons, though the Pastor and the existing Core Team members may decide on more or fewer members, as the need arises. art. 1. Members of the Core Team are to be selected by the Pastor of the Parish. At his discretion, the Pastor may take into account the consensual recommendation of the members of the Core Team when making his selection. art.2. Core Team members should be fully practicing adult Catholics. Each member need not necessarily be a member of the Parish, although great care should be taken that the Parish and its needs are appropriately represented on the Core Team. The Young Adults Group is, after all, a parochial ministry. art. 3. The purpose and goal of the Core Team is to prayerfully determine the direction for the Young Adults Group and to wisely plan so that this may be achieved. Skilful organization should be a high priority. Social activities, acts of charitable service, topics for each talk (as well as the corresponding speaker), should be determined well in advance to ensure that sufficient notice is given and time for preparation is allotted. art.4. Core Team members should be conscious of their role and responsibility as servants. They should demonstrate a grounded and stable personality and spiritual life, one that includes: 1) the desire to be holy; 2) a love of the Church; 3) a desire to earn the respect of others through service and hard work; 4) a working knowledge of how to delegate tasks; 5) a striving to see the big picture B to know where the group should be going B and an effort to help it get there at every step; 6) a love of truth with an equal understanding of pastoral dynamics. Not everyone is at the same pastoral level. Commitment to the truth and to growth is imperative, but one should seek to present it in the most inviting way possible. This being said, challenging the young adult participant remains fundamentally important. Our goal is, after all, to raise the bar; 7) an ability to communicate tough and honest decisions when these are necessary; 8) respecting confidentiality. art.5. Core Team members should have a genuine desire to spend time together to plan the practical details of the group and to develop a sense of community and open communication. art.6. Core Team decisions are to be reached by consensus rather than by majority vote. However, individuals should be delegated particular responsibilities in order that smaller decisions might be handled effectively. art. 7. In order to successfully operate by consensus, Core Team members must be bold and confident in expressing their ideas, while calling the ideas of others forward with charity and humility. Honesty and frankness within the Core Team are fundamental to the success of this apostolate. To this end, active participation and open dialogue should be the norm for every Core Team member. One should appreciate that deciding by consensus exists so that everyone's input and insights can be appreciated. However, agreement for the sake of agreement is not what deciding by consensus is about. One should strive to have both the humility and confidence to offer suggestions that might be contrary to those that have been put forward by the other Core Team members. (This may even include asking for more time for further discernment.) Only in this way can it be ensured that every movement that might be placed in our hearts by God's Will is heard by the rest of the Team: We have become partners of Christ only if we maintain to the end that confidence with which we began. (Heb 3:14) art. 8. Planning sessions are to be held at least monthly to adequately prepare for the Young Adults Group meetings. Care should be taken to ensure these sessions progress in an efficient and orderly manner. To this end, a prepared agenda is appropriate to organize the particular items needed to be discussed. Its preparation should be delegated to a member, and it should be made available to the rest of the Core Team members prior to the meeting to allow discernment and pre-planning regarding impending decisions. art.9. Upcoming meetings and events of the group are to be published in the Parish bulletin at least one week in advance of the meeting. art.10. Notification of meetings and events of the group are to be made via e-mail to all members who possess e-mail during the week of the event. If necessary, a telephone call will be made to those members not possessing an e-mail account, and who could not be contacted through any other means. It may be helpful to provide members with a monthly newsletter or calendar of meetings and gatherings, including topics and themes. VI. General Consideration: Time and Location for the Young Adults Meeting The Young Adults Group gatherings are scheduled approximately three weeks apart and are usually held in the hall of Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Church on Friday evenings beginning at 7:00 p.m. The meeting time was determined by considering the varied and busy schedules of the members. Likewise, the choice of the Parish hall as the venue for meetings followed logically from the fact it was the Parish itself that drew the members together. A subsequent benefit of remaining in close proximity to the Parish is that it serves to remind us of our call and desire to be active members in the whole of Parish life. In turn, other parishioners are not only able to see the young adults, they are also more likely to support what they see. Additional activities such as conferences, pilgrimages, and social or recreational gatherings are highly encouraged. However, an attempt to schedule them around the regular Friday meetings will be made. This is to ensure that those who cannot participate in these extraordinary events can remain confident in being able to attend the anticipated Friday meetings. VII. General Outline of A Typical Young Adults Group Meeting 1. Opening social time: with light refreshments served. (Should last no more than 30 minutes) 2. Welcome and opening prayer. 3. Time of Instruction with either an invited speaker or a set activity. (Should strive so that it lasts no more than one hour) 4. Question & Answer or Debriefing Period. 5. Small Group Forum (if required). (Should strive to keep this under 20 minutes, where appropriate) 6. Large Group Forum (if required). (Should strive to keep this under 20 minutes, where appropriate) 7. Announcements. 8. Discussion and Fellowship. (No set time limit) Fellowship is an essential component of this apostolate, and it is effective insofar as it promotes a dynamic and authentic milieu for the type of growth the Young Adults Group seeks to attain. In keeping with the spontaneous nature of the group, additional time for fellowship is encouraged to take place at a second venue, such as a local pub or restaurant. Although this is not a formal part of the evening, it is a time to relax and enjoy the company of friends in an alternative environment. Such a change of venue is not to be undervalued nor exaggerated. Simply put, it offers a time for members to take their faith and sense of fellowship into the community at large.
VIII. General Considerations for Speakers and Presenters Speakers and presenters play a key role in the Young Adults Group. Their task is to unpack the riches of our Catholic heritage. To effectively transmit these great mysteries, they must endeavour to express the fruits of their own experience and wisdom, in a language that is accessible to all. Thanks to these efforts, members of the Young Adults Group are better able to identify, name, and articulate their own experiences. The value of this enriched vocabulary and openness to the wisdom of others is a key component for building community and for fostering personal growth. The Young Adults Group is grateful for the service its speakers and presenters provide, and it responds with the author of Samuel: Amay the LORD reward you with good for what you have done ... this day. (1 Sam 24:19) art.1. Speakers and presenters are to be selected because of their expertise or experience within a certain area. They will normally be approached with a given framework or criteria as the basis for a talk. This is both to assist them in focussing their task, and to ensure that their talk remains connected to current themes being explored within the Young Adults Group. This framework will always contain a strong spiritual component and have some connection to the richness and depth of the Church. art.2. The Core Team will make every effort to approach and invite a speaker well before the planned date of the talk. If for any reason there must be a cancellation by the speaker after a date has been agreed upon, the Core Team asks for immediate notification so that alternate plans may be made. art.3. Contact between the Core Team and the speaker will be made prior to the talk, to discuss progress and direction, and to give any assistance that may be requested by the speaker. It is desired that the speaker's talk be completed or very near completion at this time, in order that it may be discussed. This is asked not for the sake of monitoring the speaker, to Akeep an eye on him, but for the sake of the participants who will hear the talk, so that what is presented falls within expectations. As the Core Team is responsible for what is presented at a meeting, it is imperative that there be no mis-communication between the speaker and the Core Team. art.4. Speakers are asked to prayerfully discern God's will while deciding on what to present, for it is only in union with Him that His cooperation can be expected: AYou shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do.(Exodus 4:15) IX. General Considerations for Selecting Topics Topics brought forward for consideration should center around the Catholic life of faith. An emphasis should be made in the activity on the relevance of the concept to Catholic young adults. Modes of teaching are also important, as they are the vehicles for the teaching itself. Careful consideration should, therefore, be given so that the optimum mode is selected for the topic at hand. In addition, variety may be necessary in order to maintain interest and to allow for a change of perspective. Examples may include talks, forum debates, symposia, presentations, question and answer periods, group discussions, etc.
X. General Considerations for Small and Large Group Forums Care should be taken to allow members the chance to participate in each gathering. To this end, small group forums might be appropriate for members to share and express views with other participants. These allow a chance for digestion of the teachings of the talk in the form of a dialogue with others, a form which is not always possible during a question and answer period. Small groups may consist of three to six members, or another number that seems appropriate for the particular gathering of the evening. The idea is to allow participants to share their interpretations and reflections on the teaching. To increase effectiveness, a list of questions or points for discussion may be given to the small groups to help discussion and guide dialogue. It may also be appropriate to have small groups discuss their responses with the group at large. In the case of these large group forums, a spokesperson might be selected from each group to convey the thoughts discussed in his particular group.
XI. Special Consideration: Acts of Service As part of the deepest core of the Christian existence, acts of service have a two-fold end: the providing of a gift to the community and the deepening of the unique talents and gifts individuals possess. Such acts will also form an important part of this ministry, as they are always the true guide and measure of a Christian's growth. Keeping in mind that acts of charity cannot be demanded, nor be produced, without the inspiration of grace, the Young Adults Group seeks to make its presence felt in the community through its service. In this way, we assist the Lord in the development of our own perfection: Abe generous and ready to share ... thus will [you] build a secure foundation for the future, for receiving that life which is life indeed. (1 Tim 6:18) Suggestions for acts of service are welcome from any member of the Young Adults Group. XII. Financial Considerations Since the Young Adults Group is a parochial ministry, it relies on the financial assistance of the Parish in order to function. However, every effort should be made to remain as financially independent as possible. Fundraising efforts, ones that do not conflict with those already in place by other ministries in the Parish, should be implemented. These may include such things as book sales, car washes, and barbeques. The funds acquired by these efforts are to be used to assist the group in its regular operations (e.g., refreshments). Funds may also be used to help pay for special events such as pilgrimages, or may be given as stipends for Masses offered for the group members and their intentions. Consideration should be given to the fact that since it is the Parish community which is the primary support for the group, every effort should be made to ensure the Parish also receives support and help, in whatever form possible, from the Young Adults Group.
APPROVED AT QUEEN OF THE MOST HOLY PARISH JANUARY 18, 2002 Young Adults Core Team:
APPENDIX A:
Consecration of the Young Adults Group to the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary
We, the members of the Young Adults Group, renew today in your hands, O Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, the vows of our baptism, as we consecrate this apostolate entirely to you. We renounce forever Satan, his pomp and works, and we give ourselves to Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Wisdom, to carry our cross after Him all the days of our lives. In the presence of all the heavenly court, we choose you this day as our mother and mistress, protector and guide. In honour of your great love, we deliver and commit to you, our bodies and souls, our goods, and even the value of all our good actions, past, present, and future, leaving you the full right of disposing this apostolate, and all that belongs to it, according to God's will. O Holy Mother of God, evoke within this Young Adults Group a desire to be holy and renew our love for the Church. Following your example, we pray to be generous in all that we do, for the greater glory of God, in time and eternity. Amen. Consecrated by all present members following the 5:00 p.m. Mass on the Vigil of the Immaculate Conception, 7 December 2001. The Young Adults Group gratefully acknowledges the dedication and service of Pope John Paul II to youth. Indeed, the Young Adults Group is a fruit of his efforts in the year of the Great Jubilee. Your Holiness, may the Lord reward abundantly you for your kind efforts. |
