The Augustinian Friars in Britain

Our Hearts are Restless until they Rest in You, Lord

Youth Ministry Exchange Visit

The Province Youth Worker, Michela Notarianni reports on the recent visit of Kate Everitt, Youth Worker from Drogheda, Ireland, and Jane, one of the Drogheda youth ministry volunteers, who stayed in Hammersmith from 11-14 February:

 

Kate and Jane’s visit, from 11-14 February, continued the exchange that has been taking place between our youth ministries over the last few years, to share ideas and see where we can help each other. Our visitors were put to work straight away in Hammersmith and ran a great session for some of St Augustine's youth group, who had come in specially during their half-term holiday to meet them. The group taught Kate and Jane a new game, but were unprepared for theirs which involved firing water pistols! Kate and Jane made up for it though by kindly donating 50 Euro to the youth group's sponsored walk for St Monica’s Augustinian parish in Kisumu, Kenya. Mary Hamilton and Rogers Kajubi - volunteers from St Augustine's youth group - met them in the evening for a meal at Hammersmith priory cooked by Fr Gianni, who also helps run the group. They also got a chance to meet Suzanne Cabral, a volunteer from St Monica's Parish in Hoxton, whom they had met in Rome this summer at the International Youth Ministry conference. Kate shared with us her idea for ‘One World Week with Augustine’, an idea borne out of the International Augustinian Youth Ministry Conference this summer. It involves groups (of any age) in Augustinian locations, coming together to discuss an Augustinian theme – in this case, Friendship - culminating in a day of celebration. The trial run is starting this year on 11 May, with the day of celebration on 16 May - the anniversary of the death of Augustine’s friend, Alypius. We hope to do something on this theme with the Hammersmith youth group next term. It was a packed and very productive visit. Long may the exchange continue!