Youth Department

Vision Statement

Looking at the historical background of young people in the archdiocese of Johannesburg, we realize that the youth lack the capacity to become fully human hence the need for holistic development

The Archdiocese of Johannesburg seek to “promote the holistic development of young people in Christ based on the spirit of Ubuntu”

This development includes five pillars of growth, namely: physical, emotional, intellectual, socio-political and spiritual.

• Physical: health, work, sport, hygiene, environment, appearences
• Emotional/psychological: acceptance, passion-sexuality, self esteem, self worth, self image, integration of emotions
• Intellectual: sound knowledge, critical thinking, culture of studying
• Socio-political: sense of belonging, responsibility for community, cultural values, awareness of justice
• Spiritual: healing hearts, minds and spirits, restoration of hope

We can achieve this by motivating our young people to interact and to be at home with each other.
Adults should play an accompanying role by being present among them, listening to them and contributing to their holistic development.

Mission Statement

• There is a need for a Archdiocesan youth department to co- ordinate, network and draw on the expertise of the deanery structures, and the bodies concerned with the youth, and to put this information at the service of the youth in the archdiocese
  
• “There is a need for Archdiocese youth structure that serves and supports local youth needs and initiatives as opposed to a centralized expensive bureaucracy”

Strategies

1. Developing Youth Spirituality
   
   In Johannesburg the youth in general are pro-Church if compared with those in other contries who are either indifferent or opposed. However, we note that many youth are joining other Churches. Therefore the problem is not the Church itself, rather it is how we celebrate and express our faith, i.e.., it is not “youth friendly”. Therefore we must try and incorporate their life experiences.
   
   Youth spirituality will allow the youth a spiritual space where they can explore and experiment. They need a certain amount of freedom and openness in order to grow into a more mature faith integrating youth culture into essential liturgical acts and the gospel teaching.
   
   
2. Youth Evangelization as Holistic Youth Development
   Evangelization for the new millennium would include a holistic integration of the institutional, social and spiritual dimensions of development.
   
   
   1. Institutional development would include the Church promoting groups which encourage a positive self-image and outlook for young people. At the same time the Church needs to strengthen existing groups at the parish, diocesan and tertiary levels. But above all the Archdiocese needs to consider youth as priority within the local Church especially with regard to resources.
      
      
   2. Social development promoted as ‘holistic development’ would include: ‘personal formation’ dealing with life skills, ‘happy togetherness’ programmes and ‘community awareness’ raising human rights issues, HIV/AIDS, sexuality and substance abuse. The issue of peer-to peer ministry development especially in light of a multi-cultural society should also be encouraged.
      
      
   3. Spiritual development would start from the young person’s perspective including attemps to address the hunger for meaning. Adult supporters and chaplains should encourage a reflective prayerful life which enables young people to link life and faith
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   Relics of St Teresa of Lisieux, virgin and doctor, Coming to South Africa, 2010

   For the first time ever!
   
   St Teresa, virgin and doctor, also known as St Teresa of the Child Jesus
   
   Patroness of the missions
   Relics (from old French relique, Latin reliquiae) are parts of a deceased holy person’s body or belongings kept as an object of reverence.
   

   St Therese was born in 1873, youngest of 9 children. She entered the Carmel of Lisieux at the age of 15, where she lived as a member of Strict Order for 9 years. During this time she was offering to God what she called “flowers”, little kindness to others, little sacrifices, all done from a tender and ardent love for God. This is what she called her “Little Way”, the way of spiritual childhood. Therese, who desired always to be a little child and wanted to be called “little Therese, was devoted to to the Blessed Sacrament, Mary, and Joseph. She was filled with extraordinary love for God and neighbour, and a tender love for the church. Therese offered her life to God for priests and missionaries. She died of tuberculosis on September 30, 897. She was beatified in 1923 and canonised in 1925. Pope John Paul II proclaimed her a doctor of the church in October 1997. Her feast is celebrated on 1 October. Her relics are travelling around the world. She remains one of the youngest saints in the church, a model even to young people and children.

   In 2010, for the first time ever, the Relics of St Teresa of Lisieux will be coming to South Africa from June 20, for 6 weeks. Archbishop Buti Tlhagale, Archbishop of Johannesburg, has given his blessings to this historic occasion. In Johannesburg, it is planned that the Relics will first go to the Cathedral and proceeds to interested parishes, convents and institutions. The interested dioceses/ institutions are also welcome to make bookings.

   Please note that you will need to cover the costs of the Relics’ travelling to your diocese/ institution by air or by car. It is also requested that where possible a special collection/donation is forwarded to the organisers to help cover travelling costs from France to South Africa and back. Please book as soon as possible so that we can finalise the details.

   For bookings, donations, and information, contact:
   Fr Vusi Sokhela (0721498703, 011 487 2299, vsokza@telkomsa.net, fax 011 6481014) or
   Fr Shaun Von Lillienfield (01140231501, 0837630807).
   
   Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us
   St Teresa of the Child Jesus pray for us
   God bless you