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NEWSWATCH

JESUSYOUTH
JANUARY 2007

International Newsletter

Bridges
not walls
A MISSIONARY MOVEMENT AT THE SERVICE OF THE CHURCH

WORLD YOUTH DAY – SYDNEY JULY 2008: BUILDING BRIDGES IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

BRIDGES NOT WALLS IN BETHLEHEM

BP. CHRISTOPHER PROWSE
Titular Bishop of Bahanna
Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne
One of the highlights of 2006 for me was leading a pilgrimage in June to the Holy Land. It was just before
warfare broke out again in this troubled area of the world. War was far from our minds though as we visited
sacred places where Jesus proclaimed the in-breaking Kingdom of God-a Kingdom of peace.
As we approached Bethlehem from nearby Jerusalem, we were shocked to notice an enormous wall virtually
separating the two cities. This pathetic attempt to separate warring parties placed a huge barrier between the
place of the Birth of Jesus from that of his Passion, Death, Resurrection and Pentecost. From a theological
perspective, this seemed absurd, as the two are inseparable in the Christian heart.
Our bus stopped at the heavily fortified gate separating the two cities. A comparatively young soldier boarded to
inspect us and walked down the aisle of the bus carrying a big sub-machine gun. This paradox between peace
and war became so personal to us as we all became silent in fear. Hardly a “Silent Night, Holy Night” so far!
CONTD. ON PAGE 3
 HEART TALK
What is Jesus Youth? Is it merely a passing phase for youth in which they find and enjoy
new friendship groups? Or is it just a platform for youngsters to meet Jesus - to solve
their problems and receive blessings – which is easily discarded once they step into an
independent life? Isn’t JY a platform to bring together the emigrant Indian youth across
the world and give them an identity in places where they are culturally alienated? Is
this a movement ‘of’ the youth or ‘for’ the youth? What is the role of a young adult or a
youth minister in this movement? Amidst the many Catholic movements, what is the
relevance of Jesus Youth? Where are we headed?
These are some of the many questions put to me regarding JY in the course of my
frequent travel. They are also questions I have asked myself on several occasions -
questions to which convincing answers do not come easily. However one of the greatest blessings for me is that
even as these questions abound, I am afforded a totally different perspective - down the years to the present -
of people and faces that continually challenge my life and give my mission a meaning.
Certainly many are attracted to Jesus Youth by the beauty of the fellowship. It is true also that many come in to
find a release from their problems and to receive blessings. However, a closer look reveals the ones we may
identify as true Jesus Youth - those who have found a meaning and a mission for their life through this platform,
those who have adopted this lifestyle, having found in it their vocation, and those who live out their Christian
lives with deep conviction and commitment as part of this move of the Spirit. Recently I witnessed a rare
gathering of youth (all below 25 and from different nationalities) who come together every day at 6.30 am for
intercession. After 30 minutes of prayer, they snatch a quick breakfast of bread right there, and then rush to
their campuses and workplaces!
MEN AND WOMEN OF THE
In one sense the Jesus Youth International network came as a response to a search for identity of the Indian
THIRD MILLENNIUM, migrants outside India. But it would be wrong to suppose that the movement itself began with this purpose in
YOU WHO HUNGER FOR mind. In Kerala or in India, where there never has been such a need, the movement swept across many lives and
communities, bringing drastic changes in its wake. Even though JY began with Indians, there are at present
JUSTICE AND PEACE, several countries that have people of 10 nationalities attending a single prayer meeting. In some of the teams, we
ACCEPT THE MESSAGE OF have leaders from 5 different countries working on a single project - but most of them are Asians. The movement is
only just beginning to open its arms to embrace our European, American and African brothers and sisters.
CHRISTMAS,
JY is a lay ministry with a focus on the evangelisation of youth. We work under the guidance of priests and
WHICH TODAY RINGS OUT religious to make it effective in these times. The document of the United States Catholic Bishop’s Conference –
AROUND THE WORLD! “A Vision of Youth Ministry”- makes an interesting observation regarding the dimensions of Youth Ministry:
JESUS WAS BORN TO “Youth Ministry is to, with, by and for youth. Youth ministry is the response of the Christian community to the
needs of young people, and sharing of the unique gifts of youth with the larger community. Youth Ministry is TO
STRENGTHEN THE BONDS youth when the Christian community exercises it pastoral role in meeting young people’s needs. […] Youth
UNITING INDIVIDUALS ministry is WITH youth because young people share with adults a common responsibility to carry out the
Church’s mission. […] Youth ministry is BY youth when young people exercise their own ministry to others,
AND PEOPLES, particularly to their peers. […] Youth ministry is FOR youth in that adult youth ministers attempt to interpret
TO MAKE THEM ALL, IN the needs of youth and act as advocates in articulating youth’s legitimate concerns to the wider community.”
(1986, Pg. 6-7) Youth need to have their own ministry. However, we also need people who have identified their
HIMSELF, BROTHERS AND charisms and grown in this movement to continue to be a part of the movement even when they cease to be
SISTERS. ‘youth’ - the movement is built on their experience and wisdom. Then again we need priests and religious who
have a charism for youth ministry to guide the movement and form the leaders. Without such a spectrum of
HE CAME TO BREAK people, I don’t think Jesus Youth could survive.
DOWN According to recent statistics the success rate of winning for Christ those who have moved out of campuses into
“THE DIVIDING WALL OF the world is 15%, while it is 85% for those in colleges / universities / schools. We know that the number of
HOSTILITY” (EPH 2:14) youngsters involved in church activities is very small in spite of all the present movements and communities.
We need many more movements to be united in the heart of the Church, taking part in her mission of reaching
AND TO MAKE ONE out to souls, with all the diverse charisms and working strategies they have to offer. Looking to the future, the
FAMILY OF ALL MANKIND. only thing we know is that we have a specific mission in the Church and the world. Over the last two decades,
we have experienced the step-by-step guidance of the Spirit. Let us move ahead with our eyes fixed on Jesus.
YES, WE CAN REPEAT
Some months back I was with a JY service team, trying to resolve a problem they had with another organization
WITH CERTAINTY: in the area. Knowing that all that the situation called for was an acceptance and recognition of their
TODAY, IN THE organization, I expressed a desire to meet with their president. However, I was shocked when one of the JY
leaders opposed this; he thought that to do so would be humiliating for me and for the movement. As I see it,
INCARNATE WORD, PEACE my commitment was not drawn from Jesus Youth, or those around me, but from the one who humbled himself
IS BORN! and became man, to serve, to break the cords of dissension, and bring down the walls of division. He is our
model; and in the face of the many misunderstandings and divisions within Christianity, we need to remember
what Bishop Christopher Prowse tells us in the cover story - “our task is to build bridges and knock down walls”.
So in this season of grace, let us joyfully take on the humility of the Christ Child in the manger who was born to
POPE JOHN PAUL II build a bridge - the bridge of reconciliation between heaven and earth.

URBI ET ORBI MESSAGE, Joyous Christmas wishes and grace filled New Year greetings from all of us in the Jesus Youth International Office!
CHRISTMAS 2001
Manoj Sunny
Jesus Youth International Co-ordinator
COVER STORY
Bridges not walls
We were told that this wall had been under
JUST AS THE construction for some years. When Pope John Paul II
ICONIC SYMBOL OF visited the area in the Jubilee Year of 2000, he
stated in a famous speech that the task ahead was
SYDNEY IS ITS BIG to build bridges not walls! Apparently, his
comments were highly criticized the next day in the
BRIDGE – THE daily newspapers. However, his words were
prophetic.
SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGES NOT WALLS IN OUR HEARTS
BRIDGE, WE WANT It reminded me of a devoted and elderly Catholic
parishioner I once met socially. She explained to me
BRIDGES OF THE how committed she felt in the Catholic Church. She
HOLY SPIRIT TO BE also explained the unease she felt deep within her.
There was both war and peace in her heart. She
BUILT ALL AROUND explained that since her early years she had not
spoken to or associated with her brother. They had
THE WORLD AS simply broken off their relationship. I invited her to
explain to me what happened. Her answer rocked
CATHOLIC YOUTH me.
GATHER IN ONE OF She explained that it happened so long ago that
she had forgotten exactly what the argument was
THE MOST about! Yet, she had kept this wall between her and
her brother strong and secure all her life. Now she
BEAUTIFUL CITIES was in her twilight and felt unable to work towards
reconciliation – yet this was her deepest desire. I
OF THE WORLD. tried to make her see that building a new bridge
between them may not be as difficult as it seemed.
The advice of the Pope is appropriate here too – the
task is to build bridges and knock down walls. If
the truth were told, many would be able to identify
with this story of the troubled parishioner.
As we prepare for the next World Youth Day in
Sydney in July 2008, there is the golden
opportunity to try again and build a bridge and pull
down a wall in relationships between families,
estranged friends, and communities in society.
This is the true work of justice – restoring broken
relationships.
JESUS – GOD’S BRIDGE BUILDER AND BRIDGE
This is exactly what Jesus has come to do by
coming into our world. The walls of sin and
Contd. from page 1
division found in the human heart are
demolished in the victory of God coming
among us in Jesus. This has been done
definitively in the Calvary Cross and Easter
Resurrection. But it all started in the manger
of Bethlehem.
There is a connection between the wall
separating Bethlehem and Jerusalem and the
troubled parishioner with her brother. Walls
of division and hatred start in the human
heart but rarely stay there.
They send out a ripple effect to others and to
society in general. Eventually they
accumulate and solidify into the walls in the
Holy Land today. They are an absolute
scandal to the Message of Peace proclaimed
by the coming of the Saviour, Jesus Christ,
the Prince of Peace. Once these walls are
constructed, they are so very hard to
demolish. But demolish the walls we must.
Otherwise, important events like World Youth
Days are simply a sentimental respite in the
normal business of war making.
WORLD YOUTH DAY, SYDNEY (JULY 2008)
– THE HOLY SPIRIT BUILDS THE BRIDGE OF
JESUS TODAY.
Preparations are proceeding very well for the
next World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia.
His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, has taken
the theme of the Days from Acts 1/8: “You
will receive power when the Holy Spirit has
come upon you; and you will be my
witnesses”. Just as the iconic symbol of
Sydney is its big bridge – the Sydney
Harbour Bridge, we want bridges of the Holy
Spirit to be built all around the world as
Catholic Youth gather in one of the most
beautiful cities of the world. I encourage
everyone to visit the official WYD website
(www.wyd2008.org) to find out all about the
exciting events that are planned. It will
probably be the biggest gathering of people
in Australia’s history. And it will be a
marvellous manifestation of the action of the
Holy Spirit in pulling down the walls of
ignorance and indifference to Jesus and the
strengthening of the love of Jesus, our
bridge, and bridge builder to the Father of all
mercies. Come and join us! All of us,
including the kangaroos, are waiting for you!
Rev. Dr. Christopher Charles Prowse
is the Titular Bishop of Bahanna and
Auxiliary Bishop in the southern
region of the Archdiocese of
Melbourne. His Excellency chairs the
WYD Melbourne Participation
Committee.
JANUARY 2007 PAGE 3
MS. PATTI GALLAGHER MANSFIELD,
ONE OF THE PARTICIPANTS OF THE

BE SAINTS
HISTORIC ‘DUQUESNE WEEKEND’
CONTINUES HER SERIES OF
CONVERSATIONS ON THE
CHARISMATIC RENEWAL WITH DR.

OF THE NEW
EDWARD EDEZHATH. THIS WEEK
MS. MANSFIELD SHARES THE
VIBRANT PERSPECTIVE OF THE
CHARISMATIC RENEWAL ON THE
SAINTS AND HER INSPIRING
FAMILY EXPERIENCES. SHE ALSO
LEAVES A POIGNANT MESSAGE FOR
THE JESUS YOUTH MOVEMENT.
MILLENNIUM
Q: IN YOUR ADDRESS TO THE POPE, YOU
COMING TO KNOW REFER TO VARIOUS SAINTS AND THEIR
EXPERIENCES. HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR US
THE SAINTS IS ONE IN THE RENEWAL TO FOLLOW THE LIVES OF
SAINTS?
OF THE GREATEST
A: One of the most beautiful and exciting
TREASURES WE HAVE aspects of being a Roman Catholic is our
understanding of the communion of saints.
IN OUR FAITH... Here on earth we are in relationship with one
IT’S COMING TO another. We have the benefit of each other’s
good example and prayer. But when we say in
KNOW THE LIVING the creed ‘We believe in the communion of
saints’, it means that we profess a relationship
PRESENCE OF with those who have gone before us and are
now in heaven and with those who are still
BROTHERS AND being purified in Purgatory waiting to see the
Lord face to face. Coming to know the saints is
SISTERS, OF FRIENDS one of the greatest treasures we have in our
faith. It is not just a matter of reading the
WHO ACTUALLY LOVE biographies of people who are dead and gone
but it’s coming to know the living presence of
US AND WHO WANT brothers and sisters, of friends who actually
love us and who want to help us. This is
TO HELP US. especially true of Our Lady. She wants to be
present in our lives not just as a model but
as a living Mother, who can form, correct,
help and encourage us.
There are so many canonized saints that it
is possible for each of us to find at least
one saint with whom we can identify. One
of my children has a very short temper and
I remember telling him that St. Francis de
Sales had to struggle with his temper very
much. Yet later in his life he was
characterized as being very mild and
gentle. He can be a wonderful patron to
anyone who has a short temper.
In my short address to the Holy Father I
found my thoughts turning instinctively to
the teachings and expressions of the three
women saints who have been named
Doctors of the Church. In the beginning of
my address, I said, “Holy Father, we are your
sons and daughters, sons and daughters of
the Church…” Teresa of Avila, great
reformer in late 1500s used that expression
“I am a daughter of the Church.” In the
middle of my address, I quoted St.
Catherine of Sienna, another great doctor in
the 1300s, who called the Pope of her day
– ‘Daddy, the sweet Christ on earth’. I told
the Holy Father, “Today we echo her
tenderness and affection by calling you,
Pope Benedict XVI, the sweet Christ on
earth for us.” When I pronounced these
words, the Pope was visibly moved and
smiled. At the end of my three minute
address, I referred to the third female
Doctor of the Church and the one closest
to us in time. In the late 1800s, Therese
Martin was searching for her vocation. She
was already a young Carmelite but she felt
within her heart the stirring to be
everything. At a certain point we read in
her autobiography, ‘The Story of a Soul’,
her great joy to have discovered her
vocation. She exclaimed: “My vocation, at
last I have found it. My vocation is love. In
the heart of the Church my mother, I will be
love.” Since the Holy Father had just
written his first encyclical ‘God Is Love –
Deus Caritas Est,’ I wanted to be sure to
frame my remarks with reference to his
encyclical. I said, “Holy Father, you have
cried out to the Church and to the world
‘Deus Caritas Est’. May we join you in
proclaiming that Jesus Himself is indeed the
pearl of great price and the treasure hidden in
the field worth giving up everything else to
possess. Thank you for calling us here to the
heart of the Church. For it is here that we
discover the vocation we share as ecclesial
movements and new communities. Our
vocation is love. Today we make our own the
words of ‘St. Therese of Lisieux and we say, ‘In
the heart of the Church our mother we want to
be and will be love’.” The saints are our best
teachers in the way of holiness. As those
baptized in the Spirit, we should be eager to
grow in friendship with the saints and to
benefit from their love for Jesus and the Church.
Q: INDIANS ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR STRONG
FAMILY TIES. COULD YOU TELL US
SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR FAMILY?
A: From the time I was baptized in the Holy
Spirit I started praying that I might be holy and
I understood that it was possible to live a life of
holiness as a married person. Certainly marriage
is a vocation to holiness just as much as the
single life, the celibate life, and the religious
life. I prayed that God would bring into my life
what I described as “a Spirit-filled saint”. I
wanted to marry someone who loved God more
than I did and who wanted to devote his whole
life to the service of the Lord and of the Church.
I was living here in New Orleans, Louisiana
where I met one of the young men who was a
leader in the Charismatic Renewal. His name is
Al Mansfield. He was the answer to my prayers.
We got married on December 22, 1973. He has
been involved in the full time ministry with the
Charismatic Renewal for the past 33 years.
Serving the Lord together in the Charismatic
Renewal has been our life work, our vocation
together.
The Lord has blessed us with four children –
three sons and one daughter. Our two eldest
sons, Mark and Peter, are both married and
they are attorneys. We are grateful that they
are very accomplished young men and have
beautiful Spirit-filled wives. They have
graduated from Franciscan University of
Steubenville, a University that has been
profoundly influenced by the Charismatic
Renewal. Peter has two children. We have a
beautiful daughter, Marie-Therese, who has an
advanced degree in Psychology and is
presently a law student at University of Notre
Dame. Our youngest son Patrick is 20 ; he is a
Business major at Franciscan University at
Steubenville, Ohio. We have a very normal
family life, with the usual ups and downs and
squabbles, struggles and challenges of any
family. But I have to say that my husband is a
very wise man, with very strong and loving
leadership of our family. We have really tried to
make the Lord the centre of our lives, our
marriage and our family.
In recent times our family had to deal with the
greatest natural disaster to affect the United
States. We lived in a suburb of New Orleans
and when Hurricane Katrina came on August
29, 2005, it devastated our entire region,
about 100 miles of coastland. And we lost our
home and our Charismatic Renewal office as
well as the retreat facilities we used for
years. The homes of our son, and other family
members in Mississippi were also flooded.
My husband’s 85-year-old step-mother’s
and sisters’ house was also flooded. Almost
everyone we know has been affected so our
lives have been in quite a turmoil. We are
now more than a year after that disaster.
With the grace of God, we have managed to
sell our old home and buy a new one an hour
north of New Orleans. We have moved our
office to a parish facility where we hold our
prayer meetings, through the kindness of the
pastor. With the grace of God, we felt that
the Lord wanted us to stay in this area so we
have continued our ministry, continued
having our weekly prayer meeting and the
conference. Attendance at our events was
cut in half dramatically. Last year, we had
2,000 that attended our conference but this
year we had only 1,000. Of the 250,000 to
300,000 inhabitants of our city, about 1,500
drowned and about 300 are missing. We
have only half our population back and the
city is still in shambles. Please pray for our
region and the many other places around the
world, including your own region, that have
suffered such natural diasters.
To have lived through such a harsh situation
has been challenging. Needless to say, it
has certainly marked our lives and those of
our family and friends. It’s been a real time of
suffering but also a time of blessing, a time
of tremendous love and generosity. We are
learning to think in a new way. One of our
young adult leaders told a group of teens on
retreat, “Think how much Jesus loves us, if
He would choose us to be the ones to go
through this suffering with Him.”
Q: IF YOU WERE ASKED TO LEAVE A
MESSAGE FOR JESUS YOUTH, WHAT WOULD
IT BE?
A: I am familiar with your work through a
little book that Manoj had given me. From
what I can tell, it is a tremendous work of
grace to reach out to young people because
they are so precious and they are so deeply
loved by God. Pope John Paul II, when he
instituted the World Youth Day, was saying
to young people: “I believe in you, God
believes in you. I know you are capable of
greatness. I know your hearts are genuine
and loving.” And we see the response of
young people all over the world to the Holy
Father at the World Youth Days. I think
wherever there are people reaching out to
young people and teenagers around the world,
God’s blessing really rests on them. The
enemy is bombarding our cultures to destroy
the innocence of youth and to drag them down
to a very low level. It’s not worthy of the sons
and daughters of God. Young people know
instinctively that they are made for better
than that. Keep reaching out to young men
and women and encourage them to fix their
eyes on Jesus and on the high calling of real
holiness. There’s a beautiful verse that I love
from Romans: “Where sin abounds, grace
abounds even more.” I think our times have
been so marked by sin and the sins of young
people. Surely, God wants His grace to abound
to redeem the world and especially to
strengthen young people to be those who
“shine like stars in the midst of a twisted and
depraved generation.”
Here in my country, Franciscan University of
Steubenville, in Ohio, holds summer
conferences for teenagers. Twenty five years
ago they began with one conference on
campus. Now there are around 18 conference
they hold all over the country. It’s
tremendous! They minister every summer to
35,000 teenagers or more at these summer
conferences. When our youths come back from
the conference, they bear witness to their
encounter with Jesus and the power of the
Spirit. These young people are serious about
loving Jesus and wanting to follow him, and
about living in the Holy Spirit. I applaud the
outreach of Jesus Youth and their work as well
as the work of other outreaches to young
people. There was a young person at the
International Charismatic Renewal Conference
in Fiuggi, Italy who gave a wonderful
presentation to the older folks. He was saying,
“Make room for us. Entrust things to us.
Mentor us and guide us.” One of the
memorable exhortations of Pope John Paul II
was to young people when he said. “Be the
saints of the new millennium.” I would like to
echo his words to the people of Jesus Youth,
“Be saints of the new millennium!” Be saints
by using all the charismatic and sanctifying
gifts of the Holy Spirit! Spread the good news
of the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ. Don’t be ashamed of telling others
about the baptism in the Spirit! What you
have received as a gift, give as a gift. The
whole people of God need to know that there
are charismatic gifts like tongues and
prophecy and healing so that the full range of
the charismatic gifts would not be lost for this
new generation. Jesus Youth has a part to play
in this mission. God bless you all!
PATTI GALLAGHER
MANSFIELD
From the early days of the
Renewal she has served
as a leader through teaching,
writing and pastoral ministry.
Patti is married to Al Mansfield,
Co-ordinator of the Catholic
Charismatic Renewal of
New Orleans, Louisiana, and
has four children.
JANUARY 2007 PAGE 5
CROSS QUESTIONS

ROME
5 questions on living differently in today’s urban world

You have always excelled in the spheres of life that

God has placed you in. Could you explain the secret?
Today people with a high EQ (Emotional Quotient) and
SQ (Spiritual Quotient) are in demand. Even the
corporate world understands that emotionally and
spiritually balanced persons handle complex problems
better, which is why we who have been transformed by
an experience of Jesus and led by the Spirit have the
call and the power to shine wherever we are.
FAITH ENCOUNTERS
How has this been evident in your profession? Sixty-nine participants from different parts of U.K. and Ireland took part in a
pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi organised by Jesus Youth from 11th to 15th November
I joined as a sales executive and moved up to become 2006. The days in Rome were spent in visiting the historic basilicas, churches and
the General Manager in my last job. This company, numerous other places of the saints and martyrs. For Annamol George from Ireland,
which was ranked No. 35 in the country, attained No.1 the pilgrimage to Rome was not only a wonderful experience, it was also a time of
position while I was the General Manager. This was prayer and fellowship. She says, “The visit to holy places especially climbing the
possible because after my God experience, I realized Holy Steps on our knees really touched my heart and deepened my faith. I got a
that God places us in situations to make others realize stronger conviction about my call to work for His kingdom.”
that He has a unique plan for them and He has given
them the power to work towards it. This brings out the The journey to Assisi though strenuous, as everyone had to walk for miles, was
best in people – and success happens naturally when marked by a deep sense of peace and tranquility. Nobody felt exhausted; on the
people around us live fulfilled lives. contrary the pilgrims could not contain their joy on reaching the birthplace of

So are you saying that success and faith go together

very well?
Yes. Enduring success - not just spiritual, but also “I welcome all the English-speaking pilgrims
worldly - can only be built on the foundation of faith. here today, including members of the World
Success gained by other means, as the Word of God Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations and
testifies, will only last for a short while. In fact, the idea members of ‘Jesus Youth International’ from
that success and faith are incompatible is a lie planted
India. May your visit to Rome be a time of
by Satan to deceive people into thinking that they have
to make a choice between success and faith. joyful spiritual enrichment. Upon all of you,
I invoke God’s abundant blessings.”
What is the relevance of families today? Do you - His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI addresses the
believe that it is possible to live in holiness and love Jesus Youth pilgrims in his message for the
amidst today’s fragmented world? General Audience of 15th November 2006.
Temptations and troubles have been around since the
time of Lot in Sodom and Gomorrah. Yet wherever sin is
present, God’s grace abounds. Often people wonder how
Priya and myself manage with our five children. There
were struggles, yet every time we stepped out in faith,
our lives were flooded by an extra dose of grace and
blessings. Some say it is difficult to train children in
faith these days because of the influence of the media.
Yet we realize that children who are born of the Spirit in
love have the wisdom of God and power over the world.
So why fear?

City life is often associated with isolation. Yet you

began a prayer group for families in the city and
spend time guiding people. What’s your vision?
My vision comes from God’s call. I believe every man and
woman has a specific role to play in God’s plan of
salvation for the world. And as Jesus Youth, our call is to
help others around us identify their unique call. Our
salvation only becomes valid if those around receive the
freedom of God. So Jesus Youth groups and prayer St. Francis and St. Clare. On the last day of the pilgrimage, the group was blessed
groups which focus on cities play a unique role in to be part of the Papal Audience in St. Peter’s Square. Reflecting on the Apostle
leading people to God in the urbanized world. Paul and his teaching on the Holy Spirit, the Holy Father encouraged the faithful by
saying, “May St. Paul’s example and insight inspire us to treasure the Holy Spirit’s
presence in our lives and to follow his promptings with hope-filled joy and
generous love!”
ELVIS KOTTOORAN The pilgrimage, which was animated by Msgr. Antony Kollamparampil, Fr. Joshy
A Jesus Youth leader, a powerful speaker,
Mayattil, Fr. George Kumblumoottil and Raiju Varghese, was a life changing
an efficient professional and the leader
of one of the fastest growing city prayer experience for the group. And for most of the participants, as Refensia from UK puts
groups, Elvis lives in Cochin with it, “the pilgrimage to Rome increased their love for the Church and the Pope and
his wife Priya and five children - Elriya, helped deepen their Catholic faith.”
Joanna, Chris, Suzanna and Rozeena. SHIBU VARKEY, UK
JESUS YOUTH
INTERNATIONAL
TEAM MEETING
The Jesus Youth International Team, comprising of
ROME, ITALY
4 - 11, NOVEMBER 2006
19 members including 5 priests from 8 different
countries, came together for a meeting at Suore di
S Filippo Neri, Rome from 4th to 11th November
2006. The first two days of the meeting were set
aside for spiritual reflection. Fr. Justus Paul O.P.
and Fr. George Kumbulumootil O.P. helped the
team during this time of reflection and spiritual
orientation. The main aim of the meeting was to
take stock of the current status of the movement
and its growth in the different countries. The plan
of action that evolved during the meeting includes
the decision to hold five continental conventions,
the JY full time volunteers’ training, and the
International gathering of budding young leaders
in 2007, to focus on building cell groups, to
celebrate the day of Pentecost as the re-
committment day for Jesus Youth around the world,
etc. The team was privileged to meet His Eminence
Cardinal Ivan Dias (Prefect, Congregation for the
Evangelization of Peoples), Msgr. Francis Kohn
(Secretary, Youth Section, Pontifical Council for the
Laity) and Msgr. Antony Kollamparampil
(Congregation for Divine Worship).

>> His Eminence Cardinal Ivan Dias (Prefect, Congregation

for the Evangelization of Peoples) with the Jesus Youth
International Team.
>>

Celebration of the Holy Eucharist with priests of the

Int’l Team at Suore di S Filippo Neri. The celebrants are
(from the left) Fr. Thomas Tharayil, Fr. Sebastian Arikat,
Fr. Abraham Pallivathukkal SJ, Fr. Ajy Mooleparambil CMI
and Fr. James Annaparambil.

>>
Msgr. Francis Kohn, (Secretary - Youth Section,
Pontifical Council for the Laity) and Ms. Elizabeth with
the Jesus Youth International Team.

JANUARY 2007 PAGE 7

 Tagle of the Philippines and followed by the

ASIAN MISSION
faith sharers from the different countries.
Around 20 workshop groups were also formed
where the participants had the opportunity

CONGRESS 2006
to share personal faith experiences and the
story of Jesus in their lives, families and
communities.
Chiangmai, Thailand. October 18th -22nd By a happy coincidence four Jesus Youth
members - Manoj Sunny, Beena Manoj,
Santhosh Chittilapally (servant leader of the
Santavana community) and Jem Jacob
participated in the Congress. On the
opening day of the Congress, Beena Manoj and Manoj Sunny made a power point
presentation on the contextualization of the theme of the event. Beena was one of the
MCs for all the days of the Congress.
As the concluding message states, the Asian Mission Congress “has provided new
perspectives for (the) task of dialoguing with the peoples, the religions and the cultures
The first Asian Mission Congress was held in Chiangmai, of Asia.” The participants committed themselves “to carry home to (their) own countries
Thailand from 18th to 22nd October 2006 with a total of 1047 new insights into the story
participants including bishops, priests, religious, lay leaders, of Jesus, particularly its
catechists, young people, men and women committed to the Asian dimensions.” The
mission work of the Church, representing 25 countries from recommendations of the
Central, Southeast, East and South Asia. Congress include proposals
to deepen the experience
The Special Envoy of the Holy Father Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe of Jesus in personal and
declared the Congress open before the Eucharistic community life especially
Celebration, which was presided by Cardinal Ivan Dias, the Eucharist. They
Prefect, Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples in the recommend particularly
Vatican. The theme – “Telling the Story of Jesus in Asia’ was the participation of the
dealt with in the keynote address of Bishop Luis Antonio laity and the youth.
CROSSROADS ‘06

The first JY retreat ‘Crossroads ‘06’ was conducted from 1st – 3rd Dec.
2006 in Cologne for 37 youth who came from different parts of
Germany. It was organized by the Catholic-Indian-Community
Cologne, and JY Germany. C.C. Joseph (JYIT member) and George
Ettiyil (Asst. Co-ordinator, JYIT) led this retreat, which was based on
the verse: “Taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 38:4). The
programme comprised of input sessions, Mass, Adoration, confession
and inner healing. There was also continuous intercession during
the sessions for this retreat.
“ I could discover the Word of
Fr.Ignatious Chalissery CMI, who is incharge of the Indian Catholic God through this retreat. It
Community of Cologne and Fr. Ajy Mooleparambil CMI, Jesus Youth showed me how powerful the
Animator for Germany, enriched the retreat with their vital presence, Bible is, especially the
support and guidance. For the first time, a core team for Germany Psalms because there is a lot
was formed with Anil Israel (Co-ordinator), Vimal (Asst. Co- of wisdom in them and also
ordinator), and Fr. Ajy Mooleparambil CMI (Pastor). Future plans they gave me freedom. I could
include a retreat (in German) scheduled for April 2007. feel that I am a child of God.”
- BROTHER MICHAEL

“I learnt a lot about myself,

about my faith and about my
relationship to Jesus.
Through this retreat I came
closer to God. This retreat
gave me power and joy!”
- ANNA BORN

“It was very good to have

Adoration throughout the
retreat. This gave me a chance
to come in intense contact
with the Lord and to renew my
relationship with Him.”
- URSULA FRANTZEN
“To be a disciple is to live the lifestyle of

SOUTH EAST
Jesus.” This was the emphasis of the
leadership training for South East Asian
Jesus Youth leaders from Thailand,
Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, the

ASIAN
Philippines, Burma, and Nauru Island held at
the Garden of Gospel Peace, Franciscan
Retreat Centre at Lam Lukka, Thailand.

The training, held from the 21st until 24th of

LEADERS’
October 2006, was the fifth in a series of
training programmes for Jesus Youth leaders
held across the different continents in recent
months. The programme focused on three
vital components of being a disciple of Jesus

TRAINING
- the need for ongoing formation, knowing
the will of God, and commitment to the call.
Renowned international speakers Colin
Calmiano and Jude Antoine challenged the
70 young leaders who came from different
parts of Asia, and led them through a path of
discovery for a lifelong commitment to be
servants and handmaids of God. The
powerful and inspiring input sessions were
BANGKOK, THAILAND
rich with the Word of God and personal
witnessing of the two speakers.

Santhosh Chittilapally of the Santavana

community and Manoj Sunny gave an overall
picture of the need for evangelisation in
Asia. This was a tremendous inspiration to
the participants to respond to the call for
mission. The concrete fruit of the training
was a bold decision to hold the first Jesus
Youth Convention for South East and East
Asia in April 2007 in Bangkok, Thailand.

May this flickering flame slowly turn into a

blaze in this vast continent of Asia as the
Holy Spirit leads these 70 committed young
disciples to spread the Good News all over
the land !
ESTER JIMENA

Participants of the South East Leaders’ Training with Fr. Amnuay, Bro. Cyril, and the trainers.

“ THE FOUR-DAY “ IT WAS A TIME “FOR THE FIRST TIME I

EXPERIENCE IS HARD TO SPENT WITH REALIZED THAT I AM CALLED
DESCRIBE. DURING THE THE LORD TO BE A MISSIONARY. I
TRAINING WE CAME CLOSE REFLECTING ON
WOULD SAY THIS TRAINING
TO THE REALITY OF BEING THE MANY AREAS
A JESUS YOUTH AND TO OF MY LIFE AND WAS THE FIRST STEP
THE HARDSHIPS WE DISCERNING TOWARDS TAKING UP THE
WOULD FACE IN GOD’S WILL FOR FULL TIME VOLUNTEERS’
SPREADING THE GOSPEL. ME. IT BROUGHT A TRAINING PROGRAMME.
WE REALISED WHAT IT LOT OF PEACE AND THAT’S THE DESIRE BURNING
TAKES TO FOLLOW CHRIST FREEDOM.” IN MY HEART. I HOPE AND
AND HIS TEACHINGS, AND JENTO, PRAY THAT THE LORD WILL
THE NEED TO ACT FAST MELBOURNE
HELP ME TO TAKE A GOOD
WITH NO MORE LAID BACK
ATTITUDES AND DOUBTS.” DECISION. “
ANSIL, THAILAND SUJA, SINGAPORE

JANUARY 2007 PAGE 9

GLOBAL NEWSWATCH
‘Vagdhanam’, Singapore
ITALY
n Weekend Retreat & New Service Team
A weekend retreat ‘Yes Lord’ and a gathering
of JY leaders was conducted from 11th-12th
Nov. 2006 in Rome with about 35 participants.
The sessions were taken by Fr. Joshy Mayattil,
Fr. George Kumblumootil and Manoj Sunny.
During the gathering, the first JY Service Team
for Rome was also formed with Grinson
George as the Co-ordinator, Siju Chacko as the
Asst. Co-ordinator and Br. Chilton as the
Animator.
Siju Chacko
SINGAPORE
n ‘Vagdhanam’
A one-day programme ‘Vagdhanam’
participated by 170 members of the JY
working ministry was held on 19th Nov. 2006
in St. Francis Church, Boon Lay. Elvis
Kottooran, a well-known preacher from
India, was the resource person for the day.
n ‘Luminous Fest’
JY Healthcare ministry and family ministry
organised a one-day programme ‘Luminous
Fest’ on 26th Nov. 2006. Elvis Kottooran led
the programme attended by 150 nurses.
n ‘Rosarium Fiesta’
JY Singapore took special initiative to
celebrate the month of the Rosary in
October. Small groups with 3 members each-
‘Rosary Cells’- took a commitment to pray
the Rosary daily. At the end of the month, all
the cells came together for a final
procession organised as part of ‘Rosarium
‘Rosarium Fiesta’, Singapore
‘River of Life’, UAE
Fiesta’. This event began with Mass
celebrated by Rev. Fr. Jacob Ong (Parish
Priest, Novena Church) followed by
consecration and a Rosary procession.
n Growth Retreat for leaders
A growth retreat animated by Elvis Kottooran
was held from 1st -3rd Dec. 2006 for 60 JY
leaders.
Biju Joseph
KUWAIT
n Leaders’ Conference
A conference for JY leaders based on the
theme – ‘Fruits of the Holy Spirit’ - was
conducted for the first time at St. Therese
Church, Salmiya on 23rd Oct. 2006.
Fr. Berchmans OCD (Parish Priest, Salmiya)
inaugurated the programme and Rev.
Fr. Joseph Edappullavan OCD (Spiritual
Director) presented the theme for the day.
n Outreach
The outreach ministry accompanied by
Fr. Joseph Edappulavan OCD visited several
camps to share the message of Christ during
the month of October.
n Rosary
In October, Jesus Youth in Ahmadi organized
‘Chain Rosary’ in all the camps and hostels
of the parish for special prayer intentions.
n Monthly Adoration
A monthly Adoration has been initiated to be
held every second Saturday of the month at
the Holy Family Cathedral.
Biju Antony
Jesus Youth Retreat, Oman
MALAYSIA
n Leaders’ Training Programmes
A leaders’ training programme was
conducted by a JY team from Singapore
including Dexon and Anoop from 11th-12th
Nov. 2006. Another such programme was
held from 24th to 25th Nov. 2006. This training
was conducted by Elvis Kottooran.
Saju P.J.
IRELAND
n New JY Service Team
A JY Service Team was formed for the first
time in Ireland. The team was constituted
during a leader’s gathering animated by
Manoj Sunny, held in Dublin from 18th - 19th
Nov. 2006 with 40 participants. Tojy Tom was
elected the Co-ordinator, Justeena Binu the
Assistant Co-ordinator and Rev. Fr. Sony
Palathara CMI the Pastor.
Tojy Tom
OMAN
n ‘Towards The Shepherd’
A night vigil – ‘Towards the Shepherd’ was held
at the Holy Spirit Church, Ghala with more than
700 Jesus Youth from Salalah, Sohar, Ibra, Ibri,
Nizwa and other nearby areas like Ruwi, Ghala
and Russayl. The vigil included music, group
discussions, praying of the rosary in different
languages (English, Hindi, Tamil, Konkani and
Arabic), Adoration and Mass.
n Jesus Youth Retreat
A retreat was conducted from 23rd - 24th Oct.
2006 with 50 JY participants. Focusing on
Leaders’ Conference, Kuwait
GLOBAL NEWSWATCH
‘Spandana ‘06’, Mangalore, India
God’s question to Cain, the theme of the
retreat was ‘Know your brother, know Jesus’.
n Visit & Gatherings
Renny Njarakkulam (Editor, Kairos) visited
Oman from 9th to 14th Nov. 2006 and helped
conduct a series of gatherings for the Jesus
Youth there. He met members of the couples’
ministry, the regional teams of Ruwi and
Ghala, and the National team.
Bobby Jacob
QATAR
n Formation Programme
Jesus Youth of the Middle East organized a
series of formation programmes for youth
between Oct. and Nov. 2006. This formation
programme was conducted in four countries
across the Middle East - UAE, Oman, Qatar &
Bahrain. Renny Njarakkulam (Editor, Kairos)
was the main resource person for these
programmes. Special leaders’ meetings and
trainings were also conducted.
Viji George
INDIA
n Spandana’06, Karnataka
Jesus Youth in collaboration with the
Karnataka Regional Youth Commission
(KRYC) hosted Spandana’06 from 20th-23rd
Oct. 2006 at St. Aloysius College, Mangalore.
Over 1000 young people from all the 10
dioceses of Karnataka participated, in
addition to 200 volunteers working in 30
different ministries, 30 priests and nuns, and
2 Bishops. The grand finale was a Rexband
concert held on the college grounds on 23rd
CCR Day, Australia
‘Harvest ‘06’, Chennai, India
Oct. 2006. Rev. Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza
(Bishop of Mangalore) inaugurated the
concert attended by more than 7500 people.
n Flamekeepers ’06, Andhra Pradesh
A Leaders’ Training programme -
‘Flamekeepers ’06’ was held from 17th-19th
Nov. 2006 at Jyotirmayee Society,
Secunderabad to strengthen existing
ministries and identify co-ordinators and
team members for each ministry.
n Fire ’06, Mumbai
About 350 youth gathered in Tabor Bhavan,
Mumbai from 27th to 29th Oct. 2006 for the
youth retreat – ‘Fire ‘06’- conducted by JY
Mumbai. Rev. Fr. Francis Eluvathingal
inaugurated the retreat and His Excellency
Bishop Mar Thomas Elavanal of Kalyan
Diocese celebrated the inaugural Mass.
n Harvest ‘06, Chennai
Harvest ‘06 was held from 8th - 10th Dec.
2006 at St Raphael’s High School, Santhome
with around 250 participants. Rt. Rev. Dr.
Lawrence Pious (Auxiliary Bishop of Madras-
Mylapore) celebrated Mass on one of the
days. One of the main fruits of Harvest ’06
was the growth of second line leaders.
n Cultural Exchange Programme 2006
238 youngsters from 20 states of India have
come together to be a part of the Cultural
Exchange Programme 2006, which began on
8th Dec.2006 in Kerala. The programme
began with a weeklong retreat at the Divine
Retreat Centre, followed by the participants’
stay with JY families, participation in the
Jesus Youth, Zew Zealand
Formation Programmes, UK
13th National Charismatic Convention and a
final gathering from 30th Dec. 2006 to 2nd
Jan. 2007.
n Campus Meets, Kerala
A campus meet was held at St. Joseph’s
College Irinjalakkuda from 20th to 24th Oct.
2006 for the students of the central and
southern part of Kerala. Another one was
held at Mar Dias Coros Auditorium, Thiruvalla
from 10th to 12th Nov. 2006. A total of 1300
students and 450 JY campus leaders
participated in the two campus meets.
Soji K. Joseph
AUSTRALIA
n JY National Team meeting
The JY National Team meeting was held from
6th - 8th Oct. 2006 at Canberra to discuss and
create long-term plans for JY Australia. On
one of the days, the team was blessed to
meet Archbishop Mark Coleridge (Archbishop
of Canberra and Goulburn). The presence of
Fr. Chris Ryan MOGL and Fr. John Aravankara
(JY Pastor) during the meeting was also
enriching.
n Quo Vadis
A youth initiation encounter programme ‘Quo
Vadis’ was held on 30th Sept. 2006 at St.
Patrick’s Parish, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane.
Around 25 new comers attended the
programme.
n Ablaze – Youth Festival
30 Jesus Youth from Melbourne participated
in ‘Ablaze’ - a youth festival organised by CYM
(Catholic Youth Ministry) on 19th Nov. 2006 at
JY Youth Gathering, USA
JANUARY 2007 PAGE 11
 GLOBAL NEWSWATCH

Formation Programmes, UK ‘River of Life’, UAE Youth Gathering, USA

Kew, Melbourne. It was a proud moment when gathering concluded with the reconstitution Jebel Ali on 2nd Dec. 2006. Around 850 youth
a Jesus Youth film - “A light that overcame of the Texas regional service team as well as from 6 different emirates participated in this
darkness” won the second place. the constitution of an adult service team. A programme called ‘The River of Life’. Prof. C.
n Catholic Charismatic Renewal Day new Regional Service Team for Chicago was C. Alicekutty was the main resource person for
Jesus Youth joined CCR prayer groups from elected on 24th Nov. 2006. The International the day. This vibrant programme also included
around Melbourne to participate in a one- Team, National Team, and other senior separate gatherings for senior JY, JY Families
day programme organized by the CCR of leaders guided the process. and JY Fulltimers.
Melbourne on 11th Nov. 2006 at Mary Help of n Discipleship Training Programme, Florida n Neerurava – One-day programme
Christian’s Parish, Brunswick East. The A Discipleship Training Programme was Abu Dhabi Jesus Youth conducted a one-day
programme with more than 100 participants conducted from 10th - 12th Nov. 2006 at the programme for youth - ‘Neerurava’ on 23rd Oct.
was based on the theme of evangelization. Alookaran residence in Brandon, with 20 2006 for about 850 young participants.
Fr Steven Fletcher (MOGL) was the main participants. The participants were given n Formation Programme
resource person. input and training on the importance of the Two-phased formation classes were organized
Mayrose Pius six pillars of Jesus Youth. from Oct. to Dec. 2006. Renny Njarakkulam
UK n Evangelisation Course, Florida (Editor, Kairos) led the first phase and Prof. C.
n Formation Programmes Prof. C. C. Alicekutty, a JY Animator from C. Alicekutty (JY Animator) conducted the
In November 2006, a series of formation India, and Annie Chandy (JY Int’l full time second phase. These classes gave JY in all the
programmes were held in London, volunteer) presented a course in Emirates an opportunity to renew their
Chesterfield, Leicester, Manchester and evangelisation from 14th to 15th Oct. 2006. commitment and mission.
Liverpool. The programmes, which focused There were 20 participants from 4 different n New JY Prayer Group
on the themes of ‘Evangelisation’ and parishes. A new Jesus Youth prayer group has been
‘Discipleship, were led by Colin Calmiano - a n One-day Gathering, Philadelphia started at the Al Ain parish in the Abu Dhabi
renowned international speaker. JY Philadelphia conducted a one-day emirate.
n Night Vigil, Liverpool gathering for youth on 2nd Dec. 2006 at the Prejomy Jose
JY of Liverpool celebrated the 3rd anniversary Syro Malabar Catholic Church. The
of their night vigil on 1st Dec. 2006 at St. programme with the theme ‘God is with us’
Joseph’s Convent, Oakhill Park with 80 focused on helping the young people
participants. This vigil has been regularly prepare for Advent.
conducted on every first Friday of the month Tisha Thomas
for the past three years. NEW ZEALAND
n Teens’ Gathering, Birmingham n Retreat
As a fruit of the teens’ retreat held in Jesus Youth attended a retreat conducted by
October, about 15 teens have started a team from the Divine Retreat Centre, India
gathering once a month for prayer, on 7th Oct. 2006. The participants also got an
fellowship and input sessions. opportunity to meet Fr. Augustine Vallooran,
Pradeep Mathew who prayed for the growth of JYNZ.
USA n Adoration
n Reconstitution of Regional Teams From Dec. onwards, Jesus Youth has taken
The reconstitution of the Northeast Jesus the initiative in organising Adoration every
Youth Regional Service Team took place on Friday in the Our Lady of Sacred Heart Mother of mercy and hope, help
21st Oct. 2006. Each new team member has Church, Epsom. JYNZ is also planning and every human being of every race and
taken a two-year commitment to be praying to join in prayer with other youth culture to find and embrace Jesus,
available to work towards helping youth groups in NZ for the success of WYD 2008. who came to earth in the mystery of
discover Christ. Jesus Youth from the Liza Johnson Christmas to give us ‘His’ peace.
different areas of Texas also gathered UAE Mary, Queen of Peace, give us Christ,
together in Dallas on 21st Oct. 2006 for a n JY UAE Annual Family Gathering true peace in the world!
time of prayer, fellowship, and planning. This Jesus Youth of UAE celebrated its 11th
Annual Day at St. Francis of Asissi Church,
Printed and Published by Mr. Manoj Sunny on behalf of Jesus Youth International Office, 6F Thadikaran Centre, Palarivattom P.O., Cochin-682 025, Kerala, INDIA, Ph: +91 484- 3295859 / 4054870, Fax: +91-484-2346084, Email : jyglobal@jesusyouth.org
Website : www.jesusyouth.org n Editor-in-charge: Shelton Pinheiro n Editorial Team: Beena Manoj, Anu Pinheiro & Deepa Sabu n Layout: Sanil C.A.n Printed by SR Graphics, Kottayam, Ph :+91 481-2301142