Re-“Igniting” the Network of Mission for Young Adults
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October 4, 2021As the fall leaves begin to take on new and exciting colours, we are reminded of the ever changing, ever renewing nature of ministry, even in challenging times much like our present realities. Yet, as the summer breeze begins to carry that fresh chill of air, we turn our attention to a new season of ministry with Ignite: one of opportunity, grace and hope.
As restrictions have begun to lift in different parts of Canada, it has been important for Ignite Ministry, our Redemptorist Youth and Vocation Ministry program here in Canada, based in Toronto to understand the needs of our parish-based ministries regarding youth, young adult and family ministries in light of a difficult and challenging year. This past summer, the North American Conference Commission for RYVM sent a survey to all of our Redemptorist parishes in the North American Conference. It was clear from the responses, that in light of our challenging and ever-changing times, support was needed to re-start and build ministries for young people at the parish level.
In consultation with the North American Conference Commission for RYVM, Ignite Canada began to work on the development of “NETWORK” – a nine part workshop series for parishes in the Redemptorist family throughout North America. This series which will take place virtually, on a biweekly basis, will gather small teams from participating parishes to develop a vision for ministry with youth, young adults or family ministry, develop and igniting our leadership potential, become rooted in the Redemptorist charism and direction of the Guidelines for Redemptorist Youth and Vocation Ministry, and learn about the areas of Evangelization and Catechesis, Justice and Service, Pastoral Care and Prayer and Worship, and to utilize these areas in a comprehensive method of offering ministry.
The key to “NETWORK”, is the building up of local leadership and providing them with tools, skills and the opportunity to learn theological basics and apply them to their local circumstances. In between the sessions, individual mentoring with the Ignite Team will allow local parishes to further adapt their learning to their local pastoral setting. At present, we have about 12 participants from Canada and the United States registered for this program. The first session begins October 16th.
Along with the plans for NETWORK, Ignite Canada is planning a number of programs and initiatives for the Toronto area and for young adults throughout the country. With restrictions being cautiously lifted in the Toronto area, we have been able to host in-person young adult events, “Holy Smoke – S’mores and More” (pictured at left), and Bible & Beer.
As we move further into the fall, our programs and events will offer a variety of in-person and ONLINE events to help reach out to young people across the country with Bible and Beer (pictured below), “The Chosen” video series for Season 2, which includes local hosting of the first and last episodes of the season, and virtual watch parties that will gather young people together throughout the country, including a number of university campuses who are getting on board with this special event.
If you haven’t watched “The Chosen”, it is a series about the life of Jesus as seen through the lives of His followers, “The Chosen”. It’s not just another “Jesus” movie. I highly recommend it to anyone who is searching in their faith life, or looking to renew their sense of Jesus and becoming re-rooted in the message and meaning of the Gospel. Not only have we utilized “The Chosen” for young adults, but Ignite continues to facilitate high school virtual retreats based on the video series which continues to be an eye opener for issues of faith for students in the 10th grade.
We are fortunate that we can offer the second year of study for the Canadian Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies Program at the beginning of October with in-person sessions for “Prayer and Worship” and “Justice and Service”, hosted at St. Patrick’s Church, Toronto which will gather leaders in youth ministry throughout the Archdiocese and Eparchy of Toronto.
Ignite Toronto will welcome 2 young adults from Germany who will come as part of the Redemptorist Volunteer Ministry program from Bonn, Germany. Stefan Hilger and Simon Knott are recent graduates of the Collegium Josephinum run by the Redemptorists of the St. Clement Province. Stefan and Simon will be involved in programs with youth at St. Patrick’s Church, street outreach through our “Winter Street Patrol” Program, Ignite events both online and in-person, volunteering in our parish gift shop and Mustard Seed inner-city ministries.
As we continue to network with groups across the country and build a vision for ministry with young people with new and current teams, we look ahead at the common projects that can be implemented at the local level, all for the building up of the kingdom and the call to allow our charism and mission as Redemptorists to shape the work we are called to do to proclaim the Good News of Plentiful Redemption to a world and nation hungering for justice, renewal, compassion and hope.
If you have any questions about the NETWORK Program, please contact Fr. Santo Arrigo CSs.R. at [email protected] . For all other programs and events hosted and facilitated by Ignite Canada, visit our website: www.ignite-canada.ca
(Courtesy of Community Connections.)
