Evangelizers in the midst of youthDocument of reference for Marist Youth Ministry (MYM)

Plan for study and application of the document: 2011 – 2013

Institute of the Marist BrothersSecretariat of Mission

International MYM Commission

« I cannot see a child without

wanting to teach him the

catechism and to make

him understand how much Jesus has

loved him. » (Champagnat)

• We are close to young people in their actual life-situations, taking the risk of going into what may be unexplored areas where those in material and spiritual poverty await the revelation of Christ. In dealing with young people, we show a concern that is humble, simple and forgetful of self.

• We make Christ known to them as the Truth who sets them free, as He who calls everyone by name. We help them to discover their vocation in the Church and in the world. We remain ready to respond to the Holy Spirit, who challenges us by the hard facts of the lives of young people, and who urges us on to courageous action. (C. 83)

« We are mindful that evangelization is the work of the Holy Spirit, and that without the Spirit’s action everything remains idle talk, gibberish. This document seeks nothing more than to be a modest instrument for benefiting the Institute. Our hope is that it will contribute to rekindling flames of passion for the Gospel among adults and young people themselves, called to take on a grace-filled leadership in evangelizing their companions. »

Br Emili Turú – Superior General

« We’re active, we like to share, help, contribute and be present when needed; we’re anxious to produce results, work on things, we like and be able to share the results with those around us. We long to achieve our goals in spite of adversity and to learn from our mistakes, and we are usually ready to do what’s needed rather than what we ourselves would like. We’re ready to welcome what’s new and try to make the world a better place. »

(Testimony of a youth – Evangelizers in the midst of youth, p. 20-21)

International MYM Commission

Br Ramon Rúbies – L’Hermitage; Br Luiz André da Silva Pereira – Brasil Centro Norte; Br Rommell Ocasiones – East Asia; Br João Carlos do Prado – Secretariat of Mission, co-ordinator;

Br Ifeanyi Mbaegbu – Nigeria; Mrs Simone Boyd – Melbourne; Mr Carlos Ulises Centeno López – México Ocidental

PRESENTATION

We present to all the Administrative Units (AUs.) of the Institute the proposal of a process for the study and the application of the document « Evangelizers in the midst of youth ». It has been developed by the International Marist Youth Ministry Commission (MYM) and is addressed to the whole Marist Institute.

The objective of the process is to help the AUs in coming to know and apply the document. This will be a special opportunity for the revision and reinforcement of the MYM projects which are already in operation in the AUs where it is present, and for its introduction in those which do not yet have it.

Those for whom this process is destined are all the communities of Marist Brothers and the Lay Marists, especially those who are in posts of responsibility in the works, as well as the persons directly involved in evangelization.

PROVINCIAL YOUTH COMMISSION

The success of the main projects depends also on leaders engaged in heart and spirit. For this reason, the International MYM Commission recommends that each Province/District organise a Provincial/District Commission to co-ordinate the plan for the study and application of the document. This Commission will also be responsible for:

- Adapting the process and the methodology proposed by the International MYM Commission to the situation of the Province / District.

- Developing strategies and resources which contribute to a process which is vital and open to the participation of the Province / District.

- Guaranteeing communication with the Secretariat of Mission, in Rome.- Guaranteeing the linking of the MYM plan with the service of animation of

vocations of the Province /District.

The Commission can be composed of brothers, lay persons, and youth leaders. It is important that the Province / District communicate the name of the person responsible for co-ordination to Br João C. do Prado (jcprado@fms.it) before the end of November 2011.

Plan for the study and application of the document « Evangelizers in the midst of youth »

PROCESS

The process is divided into four stages:

Communication and study of the document. Revision and/or development of the proposal of the Administrative Unit. Formation of leaders for MYM. Implementation and evaluation of the AU’s MYM proposal

The following diagram provides information about the time scale as well as the methodology proposed. These elements are given by way of guidelines so that the AUs can adapt them to their situation.

Communication and study of the

document

Revision and development of

the proposal of the Administrative

Unit

Formation of leaders and multipliers

Implementation and evaluation of the proposal of

the Administrative Unit

“Jesus in person came up and joined them on

the road”

“But their eyes were prevented from

recognizing him” “And they told him

everything that had taken place”

“And beginning with Moses and going through all the

Prophets, he explained to them all the

Scriptures concerning him ”

“At that very hour, they set out and returned to

Jerusalem”

Methodology: Emmaus

PROPOSAL FOR IMPLEMENTING THE DOCUMENT

Regi

onal

mee

tings

October 2011 September 2012 January 2013 April 2013

Responsible : Provincial MYM Commission

REGIONAL MEETINGS

In addition to the four stages followed at the level of the AU, we offer the possibility of holding « Regional MYM Meetings » in each continent. They will be special spaces for becoming familiar with « Evangelizers in the midst of youth », sharing the steps in the study of the document and developing strategies for implementing it.

The Regional Meetings are spread through the first part of the process and the beginning of the second, so as to fit in with the regional calendars and encourage the participation of all the AUs.

One envisages the participation of 5-6 persons per AU., among them: someone responsible for the government and animation of the Province; the co-ordinators of MYM in the AU. or future co-ordinators; some youth leaders.

The regional meetings serve as an excellent space for the formation of MYM leaders with international hearts and spirits.

CALENDAR OF REGIONAL MEETINGS

The Regional Meetings will take place according to the following calendar:

• Asia : 26 – 30/03/ 2012 – Philippines• Oceania : 16 – 20/04/ 2012 - Australia• America : 30/07 – 03/08/2012 – Campinas, Brasil• Africa : 27/08 – 01/09/2012 – Nairobi, Kenya• Europe : 24 – 28/09/2012 - L’Hermitage, France

The information about each of the Regional Meetings and the guidelines for enrolment will be sent at the appropriate times.

« Jesus in person

came up and joined

them on the road » (Lk, 24:

13-15).

METHODOLOGY OF THE PROCESS

The methodology proposed for carrying out the plan of study and implementation of the document « Evangelizers in the midst of youth » is the same as that found in Ch. 4 of the document, where the pedagogical and methodological options and the itinerary to follow for MYM are described. It is important that the MYM Commission at the provincial /District level envisage:

1. The organisation of study groups for the Province /District: communities of Brothers, provincial leaders, groups of Brothers and lay partners in the works, leaders of evangelization...

2. The plan of study and drawing up of proposals at the Provincial and local levels (communities and works).

3. The accompaniment of the process.

METHODOLOGY OF THE PROCESS

4. Organisation of groups, structures, resources for support; communication between groups and, as far as possible, some experience for living at the provincial / District level.

5. The formation of multipliers to accompany the process at provincial and local levels.

The journey of the disciples to Emmaus is a paradigm for the evangelization of young people. It is a journey of accompaniment, where the evangelizer and the one evangelized pass together through a dynamic cycle of dialogue and discovery.

STAGES OF THE PROCESS

The process is divided into four stages in conformity with the diagram presented above. For each of these stages, the International MYM Commission indicates: objective, methodology, proposals of strategies, resources, those for whom it is destined and the one responsible for co-ordinating the process at the provincial / District level.

- The methodology, the strategies and the resources presented are a minimum for assuring the carrying out of the process.

- The Provincial Commission should complete what is proposed by the International Commission in order to guarantee a process that is transformative and prophetic in accord with the local situation.

Each of the stages of the process relating to the study and implementation of the document can be found below.

Objectives :•Organise the MYM Provincial/District Commission and its plan of work.

•Form multipliers to help in launching the process

•Make the document known at all levels of the AU.

Methodology :« Jesus in person came up and joined them on the road » (Lk 24: 13-15).

Communication and study of the document

Destined for :Communities of Brothers, lay people, youth involved in pastoral activity.

Responsible : Provincial Council and Provincial MYM Commission

Proposal of Strategies to the Provincial Commission : 1. The International MYM Commission proposes a

Guide for the presentation and study of the document. 2. The AU. organises study groupes for sharing.3. The study groups draw up a report with

recommendations to the Provincial MYM Commission.

Resources offered by the International Commission :

- Guide for the presentation and study of the document (annex)- Posters, post cards, armbands, web site of the Institute (www.champagnat.org) and of the AU, blog, facebook and twitter, page markers, pop-up, songs, videos …

Revision and development of the proposal of the Administrative Unit

Objectives :• Encourage revision processes for the projects of evangelisation of youth in the AU.

•In the light of the revision of the international document and the projects of evangelisation of youth, facilitate the evangelizing action of the youth in the AU.

Methodology :« The disciples saw Jesus but they were prevented from recognizing him » (v 16-17).

« They told him about everything that had taken place » (v. 18-24).

Destined for :Youth of the AU, Leaders, animators of youth of the AU. And Provincial Council.

Responsible :Provincial MYM Commission

Proposal of Strategies to the Provincial Commission :Define some criteria for revising evangelizing action with youth.Suggestions for the Provincial MYM Commission :a) Create instruments of consultation.b) From the results of the evaluation and the MYM

document, draw up a provincial proposal and a strategic plan of implementation.

c) One could count on the aid of work groups to help with this task.

Resources offered by the International Commission :

- Letter with guidelines for revising the evangelizing action in the AU. Available on the web site www.champagnat.org , MYM link, from January 2012.

Formation of leaders and multipliers

Objectives :•See to the formation of Brothers, lay persons and youth for working in the MYM.

Methodology :« And beginning with Moses and going through all the Prophets, he explained to them all the Scriptures concerning him » (v 25-27).

Destined for : Youth of the AU, leaders, animators of youth of the AU. and Provincial Council.

Responsible :Provincial MYM Commission

Proposal of Strategies to the Provincial Commission : 1. Find possible leaders and animators where MYM does

not exist at present.2. In the AUs where the MYM is organised, reinforce the

formation of leaders. 3. Organise and/or revise the programmes of formation.4. Assure the themes of MYM in the programmes of

formation for Brothers and laity.5. Study possible programmes of formation for MYM at

the interprovincial level.

Resources offered by the International Commission :

- Propose guidelines for programmes of formation. Available on the web site www.champagnat.org, or on the MYM link, from March 2012.

- Provide international assistance for the AUs which need it.

Implementation and evaluation of the Proposal of the Administrative Unit

Objectives :•Put into practice the accords and decisions concerning the proposals of evangelisation for youth in the AU.

•Review the results of the implementation of the proposals of the AU.

Methodology :« At that very hour, they set out and returned to Jerusalem » (v. 33-35).

Destined for :Youth of the AU, leaders, animators of youth of the AU and Provincial Council.

Responsible :Provincial MYM Commission

Proposal of Strategies to the Provincial Commission : 1. Locate the places which are interested in implementing

the MYM. 2. Carry out a publicity campaign for the MYM.3. Adapt and reinforce the MYM in the AUs where it

exists.4. Create and reinforce structures for assuring the follow-

up of the process.

Resources offered by the International Commission :

- The same resources for stage 1 may be used for this stage.

STRATEGIES AND AIDS

The proposals of strategies and aids offered are intended to be a support for the process of the AUs. We recommend also that strategies and aids be developed at the local level, to reinforce the process and, if possible, be shared. The MYM link of the web page of the Institute (www.champagnat.org) will be the space made available for the resources at the institutional level and for the sharing of the process carried out by each AU. Music, hymns, images ... created for the MYM will be very welcome on the web page.

SUPPORT AND GUIDELINES

The Administrative Units which need support and guidelines for the process can make contact with Br João C. do Prado, Director of the Secretariat of Mission, in Rome, by mail: jcprado@fms.it

THANKS

Many thanks to all the Administrative Units for their welcome of the document “Evangelizers in the midst of youth” and the plan of study and implementation.

We wish you all a good journey and a fruitful course of evangelisation of young people.

May Mary, Marcellin and our Brothers, laity and youth who have gone before us inspire in all a new ardour for following and proclaiming Jesus Christ and his Kingdom.

International MYM Commission

Secretariat of Mission

Rome, August 2011.