Our thanks to Br. Long Nguyen, a participant in the province’s Dehonian Youth Initiative, for writing about the group’s recent gathering:
Following in the footsteps of the founder
On Thursday, October 24, several younger members of the U.S. Province gathered at the Provincial Conference Center to continue the work that we began in August in regards to sharing the Dehonian message with youth. Frater Joseph Vu, Frater James Nguyen, Frater Justin Krenke, Frater Juan Carlos Casteñeda Rojas, Fr. Christianus Hendrik and I came together to learn about and brainstorm on youth ministry.
We shared our experiences of working with youth and learned more about our Dehonian charism.
David Schimmel, province director of Dehonian Associates, gave a presentation on Dehonian Spirituality. As we share our Dehonian charism with young people he encouraged us “not to confuse what I want and desire with what God wants. All of what we do is about what God wants.”
He continued, saying that “As the director of St. John School, in dealing with the youth Fr. Dehon presented himself as a person with a smile, always smiling and easy with everyone.” It is in that manner that David encouraged us to be in youth ministry.
“Our projects ministering to youth absolutely follow Fr. Dehon’s passion and concerns,” he emphasized.
Three aspects of the Dehonian charism that particularly speak to youth:
Everyone wants to be loved
Fr. Dehon wrote: “Since you love me, Jesus, why should I not confide myself to your loving heart? You will take greater care of me than would a mother” (Life of Love Towards the Sacred Heart of Jesus)
Everyone wants to belong
“Perfection is nothing other than union with God through love” (Fr. Dehon, Life of Love Towards the Sacred Heart of Jesus)
Everyone wants to make a difference
“Let God’s good pleasure be your entire rule, your whole life, your only preoccupation: Lord, what do you want me to do?” (Fr. Dehon, Life of Love Towards the Sacred Heart of Jesus)
Brainstorming
Following David Schimmel’s presentation we did some brainstorming in regards to youth ministry. Comments included the need to prepare well for such ministry by immersing ourselves in Dehonian spirituality. Our teaching must be simple, not like a theological dissertation. Also, a prayer book for youth would be helpful, prayers that connect with the daily needs and concerns of young people.
Sharing our experiences
We talked about our experiences in youth ministry. Joseph Vu and James Nguyen spoke about the Vietnamese Eucharistic Society; it was through this youth group that both found their vocations. Justin Krenke shared his experiences with PORT Ministries in Chicago. Juan Carlos spoke of his experience of youth ministry with the Salesians.
Developing practical skills through play
Besides presentations and discussions, we had a little fun with games and songs. But it wasn’t just about having fun and making noise. When Jesus came to the world years ago, He told many stories and parables. Through those parables Jesus talked about redemption, about God’s love and His plan of salvation. Jesus tried to answer the needs of the people in His time, and brought them from Galilea to Jerusalem, from the Jordan to Calvary, from sin to salvation.
Games and songs are similar to the parables. These simple and fun ways of communication are “the new languages” which we can use to share our Dehonian charism. Games and songs are powerful ways in which we can talk simply about love, readiness and sacrifice (doing our best), about how to live in our communities, about how to listen to God’s call and how to answer His calling. Games, songs, slogans and signs are universal languages that make it easier for youth to learn about and understand Dehonian spirituality.
During our evaluation at the end of the meeting we spoke of the need to get more young SCJs involved in youth ministry and to find more opportunities for such ministry.
