A Vision for Youth Ministry
A Vision for YOUTH MINISTRY - Province Meeting.
On Wednesday, 9 November, there will be a meeting of interested friars of the Province, to hear Gianni Notarianni OSA and our Youth Worker, Claire Webster, describe their vision for the future of the province’s youth ministry.
With the completion of the Augustinian Youth Encounter last year and recently Michela’s retirement, there is the need and the opportunity to move on to another phase.
Another factor is that over the years, a substantial number of young people have grown into adulthood and, inspired by their experiences with the Augustinians, are keen to be involved in ministry and community with the friars in some way.
Gianni and Claire have already circulated a detailed plan of possible development and growth. From 11 am they will explain the plan, their vision in detail. There will be a break for the Mass for Nick O’Brien and then the friars will resume for discussion.
Some features of the plan:
Continue the good work that is already being done, at the local level, in organising national events, taking part in international events.
A Programme for Youth Volunteers’ Recruitment and Formation:
The basic guiding principle being how can we, as Augustinians, best serve the Church?
Methodology: to form a community of volunteer youth ministers, who would initially take part in a formation programme.
Augustinian Centre The programme would be under the auspices of the Augustinian Centre (Hammersmith Project). Various training sessions would take place in Hammersmith, of volunteers, who would then return to their local scene.
Formation The details are still sketchy, but would begin with an intensive course in Augustinian Spirituality, along with practical training for youth work.
Recruitment When the Core team has completed its basic training, they along with the Youth team would visit the parishes, with a planned series of meetings to identify local possibilities. A manual would be produced as a guide to Augustinian Youth Ministry.
