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This Christmas, Make Room

12/12/2022

I can only imagine the attentiveness of parents just before the woman gives birth. Many parents prepare the famous hospital bag weeks – if not months – before the delivery day, to make sure they are fully equipped when the moment arrives. I believe that Joseph and Mary were just as mindful before Jesus was born, while also being filled with joy and excitement. These are undoubtedly memorable moments cherished by many which make everything else seem irrelevant.

During these delicate moments, the last thing that I would want to think of  is a 30-minute telephone survey by one of some statistic agencies – which have a tendency to test my nerves every so often. Joseph and Mary were not exempt from such statistical exercises; their government had in fact demanded their participation a few days before the delivery. The only difference was that the couple had to embark on a 33–hour journey between Nazareth and Bethlehem to enrol themselves. I must thank Google maps for the 33-hour calculation, though this might have been slightly different knowing the vulnerability of Mary in her last pregnancy days (if not hours) and the accompaniment of a poor donkey.

The couple had to leave their home in this vulnerable situation in order to foster responsibility and  be lawful citizens.
NB: The Romans had not been a corruption-free authority either.

Am I willing to leave my comfort zones to meet my obligations towards the state/superiors?

Knowing Joseph’s profession, I can only imagine what he had been preparing to ensure that  baby Jesus received a warm welcome to planet Earth. The simplest preparation that comes to mind is a comfy bed where the mother and child could rest. Yet, he had to leave everything behind to participate in such census, and the selfless woman who had just accompanied Elizabeth in her pregnancy now found herself on a physically and emotionally challenging journey with Joseph – without the warmth of that bed which her husband had planned for baby Jesus and without the warmth of their relatives’ presence.

Would I be able to sit with my own self in moments of vulnerability without being distracted by my possessions?
Would I be able to acknowledge and trust God amid my suffering?

The time for Mary to deliver arrived, and we all know how the rest of the story unfolded. The most comfortable piece of furniture found by the carpenter was nothing less than a manger, and the ones who had accompanied the couple during these joyful moments were none other than some sheep and the poor donkey. I cannot imagine how the couple must have felt at  that  point, after being stripped of all their plans and desires, and finding themselves in a place far from luxurious or fit for a rising king – a cave. A human disappointment. Nevertheless, God still finds His delight, especially now that He could start engaging with His beloved children through an embodied medium, in the simplest form of communication: a newborn’s cry.

Am I aware of God’s wish to reach out to me today?

Aspiring to build a space for Jesus  to dwell in is wonderful; however, are these dreams  replacing  my thirst to meet Him? Am I so preoccupied with being sinless or with my works, that I am forgetting that this is a two-way relationship?

May this story humble us in the realisation that Jesus brings life when and wherever He wants to. He does not require us to be fully equipped; rather, He requires us to have an expectant heart. God did not choose a carpenter to satisfy His needs to sleep in a luxurious bed; rather He chose Joseph for who he was. Mary was not chosen because she was a skilful mother; He chose her because of who she was.

In the same way, God wants to encounter me and you today, not because of what we can offer, but because of who we are, for He is in love with us, despite our disappointments or failed plans. Just as He wanted to journey with Joseph and Mary, He wants to walk the journey of life with me and you.

How can I make room for Jesus this Christmas?

Journeying Through Advent with Film

10/12/2022

We have recently collaborated with ‘Lifelong Catechesis’ to come up with a resource pack to accompany young people aged 16+ throughout the four weeks of Advent. We encourage all leaders to make use of this resource which delves into the themes of hope, faith, joy and love through an exploration of 4 movies.

Download

Lent Resources for Youth Ministry – Yahad

22/02/2022

WHY YAHAD?

This series is based on Yahad, a document prepared by the Justice & Peace Commission (JPC) to help us reflect on how we can act constructively to build peace within our nation. You can find the full document here: https://yahad.mt/
Yahad is a term in Hebrew that is used in the Bible most often as an adverb in the sense of “together” and “with each other”. It also conveys the sense of unitedness and community.

CONTENTS

MCYN, in collaboration with JPC, has created a series of 6 different sessions to be used with young people, each one based on the Gospel readings of the first 5 Sundays of Lent, and Ash Wednesday.
The titles of each session are:

  1. Introduction   – Niżżel bil-Malti  |  Download in English 
  2. Goodness – Teaching & Discussion  – Niżżel bil-Malti  |  Download in English 
  3. Temperance – Teaching & Discussion  – Niżżel bil-Malti  |  Download in English 
  4. Courage  – Film Night  – Niżżel bil-Malti  |  Download in English 
  5. Merciful Patience – Discussion   – Niżżel bil-Malti  |  Download in English 
  6. Reconciliation – Lectio Divina  – Niżżel bil-Malti  |  Download in English
  7. Creativity – Activity  – Niżżel bil-Malti  |  Download in English 

AIMS OF THE SERIES

  • To present to young people social justice themes.
  • To link Scripture and the Teaching of the Church to real-life situations happening in our country. 
  • To give time to young people to reflect on the world around them. 
  • To help young people see matters of justice in light of Scripture.
  • To encourage young people to be the positive change they long to see in the world.


SESSION OUTLINES

  • Each session plan has an outline on the first page in order to give a brief overview of the meeting.
  • A team overview can also be found before each session in order to help people lead different parts of the session smoothly. 
  • Each session is timed to be around 1 to 1.5 hours. The timings are estimates and are not there to be strictly adhered to.


Although this resource tries to be thorough, it is not thought out to be read off the paper as is, but to serve as a basis for sessions given by leaders. Each group is different, and therefore activities, discussion methods and teaching all need to be tailored according to the dynamic of the group. Should you need assistance in developing the resources further, or have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

https://yahad.mt/

Last First

20/01/2022
Last first resources

Away from Those He Loved

This session looks at the realities migrants arriving in
Malta irregularly face before their arrival. It pivots on the
testimony of a man who lived and died in Malta,
away from those he loved.

Aim
To shed light on the unheard stories of irregular migrants.
To reflect upon the Catholic’s role in this narrative which surrounds us.

 
 

Sara, a Maltese Girl

This session is centred on the story of a young girl who is
forced into a parent’s role at a young age. It gives young
people the opportunity to become aware of stories and
realities which they may overlook in their everyday lives.

Aim
To recognise realities hidden in people’s (even children’s) lives.
To continue to understand our identity in Christ.

 
 
 

Li Kieku ma Ltaqgħetx ma’ Maria

This session is based on the parable of the Good Samaritan.
Starting off from the story of a Maltese woman, it tackles
what the parable of the Good Samaritan calls us to.

Aim
 To reflect upon the suffering we may walk past every day.
To understand in a deeper way the parable of the Good Samaritan
and whose neighbour God calls us to be.

 
 

Mħabba fis-Skiet

Din il-laqgħa tuża testimonjanza biex tiddiskuti
x’inhu l-aktar aspett importanti fil-volontarjat:
l-imħabba. Dan tagħmlu permezz ta’
diskussjonijiet u Lectio Divina.

Għanijiet
Biex niddiskutu xi tfisser għalina l-ħidma volontarja.
Biex niskopru l-importanza tal-imħabba f’din il ħidma.

 
 

A Princess has Died in Malta

This session looks at the realities of prostitution through
testimonies. It gives young people the opportunity to discuss
and learn about legislation, the Church’s teachings
and Jesus’ approach to this reality.

Aim
To become aware of the reality of prostitution
To continue to understand the dignity of the human person

 

One Church, One Journey – For Youth Ministry

09/01/2021

In June 2020, the Archdiocese of Malta launched the process of ecclesial renewal One Church, One Journey. This process invites the Church in Malta to a journey taking place between 2020 and 2024.

MCYN has created an abridged version of One Church, One Journey. This version was written with the intention of making the original text shorter, simpler and easier to reflect upon. We’ve made it with hope that it will inspire reflection and, ultimately, drive action.

We pray that this process truly opens us to the will of God and the conversion of heart required to be true witnesses of Christ.

Christus Vivit – Pope Francis’ post-synodal apostolic exhortation to the Young People

02/04/2019

“Christ is alive!  He is our hope, and in a wonderful way he brings youth to our world.  The very first words, then, that I would like to say to every young Christian are these: Christ is alive and he wants you to be alive!”

“Christus Vivit” (“Christ Lives”), is the pope’s reflections on the 2018 Synod of Bishops on ‘Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment`, is a combination letter to young people about their place in the church and a plea to older members of the church not to stifle the enthusiasm of the young, but to offer gentle guidance when needed.

Vive Cristo, esperanza nuestra is the opening of the original text in Spanish of the post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, whose text was subsequently published today, April 2, with the signature of March 25.

It was announced by Director of the Holy See Press Office, Alessandro Gisotti, that the Exhortation named “Christus Vivit,” will be published on April 2, “the memorial of the death of John Paul II.”

The wish, he expressed during a briefing in Loreto, was “to link together the two pontificates, so loved by and close to the younger generations.” Pope John Paul II had been the first Pope to address a letter to young people in 1985 and he was the Pope who began the World Youth Days.

Today, April 2, the Pope’s Apostolic Exhortation was released for the first time.
The full English text of the Exhortation can be read here.

I like to work with young people, but …

06/01/2017

5 Steps to Relaunch Your Ministry When Things Seem to be Going Wrong

We’ve all gone into youth ministry for a million reasons: We were enthusiastic to share what we received, we had leadership qualities we wanted to express, we looked up and wanted to imitate a youth leader who guided us, we really wanted to lead a lot of young people, the vibe of having loads of young people around excited us, our Jesus experience was simply irresistible … Many times we feel one or many of these reasons are being accomplished. That makes us feel great, satisfied, spiritually boosted or simply confirming we are in the right vocation.

But, at other times, it simply seems not to be working.

“My group has just crumbled, most of the other leaders are leaving the ministry, I feel drained of ideas, there doesn’t seem to be any spiritual growth in my group, petty issues are taking over the group dynamic and to top it all I don’t know whether all this is really worth it!”

When the statements and situations above seem to be more present than the original desires and stimuli, apathy or burnout might be taking over, especially if we are still committed as before. How can we avoid, or how can we react in these circumstances?

1. Don’t push too much

Many a times our first reaction might be: ‘Maybe I’m not doing enough’ or ‘I should do something bigger, or more attractive’.  As long as you’re committed to your youth group this might not be the case. Instead, remember the first calling of Jesus to the apostles: “He appointed twelve that they might be with him … (Mk3:14)” Our first call is not to be ministering more but to be with Him. As Mother Theresa says: “God has not called me to be successful. He called me to be faithful.”

Youth ministry is not about doing more but being more.  Young people are looking for an authentic witness who is faithful to his journey, irrespective of this resulting in success or showing one’s vulnerability.  This calls me to the second point:

2. Are you actually doing more than being?

Many times the feel good factor that comes from being on the field, working with young people, receiving their approval, might be ironically the biggest temptation to go off the mark. Formation should be your priority. It’s a challenge for me as well but I’m ever more convinced that keeping this as a priority is what develops good quality ministry. So go through your formation checklist: when was the last time I attended a course of personal formation? Maybe I need to start a journey or renew one with my spiritual director or mentor! How is my prayer life? Maybe I need to put a retreat in my programme!

Elena Pace Photography

3. How are my relationships in the group?

Sometimes my relationships within the group might be disturbing and creating uneasiness every time I’m going to the group even though it might not be so evident. A youth group is not simply a group of friends. A community is somewhat different. Go through a personal exercise to see what’s happening in your heart. Have friendships and dependencies actually taken over your relationships with your colleagues, or members of the group? Am I struggling with these relationships? And are these relationships actually alienating me of the intentions of the group or ministry I’m responsible for?

4. Count your blessings

Many a times we are often lost in grumbling and complaining on all the factors, persons, and situations leading to ‘failures’ in our ministry. Instead, a different approach can actually set our hearts and ministry on fire: “Gratitude in advance is the most powerful creative force in the Universe.” (N.D. Walsh) Let gratitude be the attitude which leads you to new pastures, the attitude which guides you through the good and the bad times.

5. It might be actually a time for change

Without making rash decisions, God might be calling you to a change. The Lord might be calling you to mysterious changes, maybe a change within your ministry, a change to a different ministry or an interior spiritual change. Never allow yourself to think small, but allow God to direct your thoughts, he might be asking you to leave to a land he’s showing you, to row into the deep, or to strengthen your roots. Do not be afraid to let go into this change.

Many times it is difficult to discern which of the above is the most urgent for you. Make sure to facilitate your process of prioritising. First of all try to think as objectively as possible alone or with a true friend where you truly are. Secondly and most importantly make sure to take your experience to prayer and spiritual direction.

Remember the Lord is first of all calling you to your ministry, not your creativity, your success, your excellent talents or social skills. If you desire it, you will surely get the help you need and you’ll soon be in a new place to relaunch your ministry.

 

Anthony Mifsud