Limerick, August 2007
From the 8th to the 13th of August 2007, I had the privilege of leading 36 young people (16-35 year olds) and Redemptorists from the London Province to Limerick in Ireland for the 8th European Redemptorist Youth Congress. This event, which occurs every three years in a different European location, promised to be an occasion worth attending. Our delegation included people from London, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Shotts, Glasgow, Coatbridge, Motherwell and Zimbabwe. Two members of this group, Gaia Wu (St Patrick's Edinburgh) and James Muscart (Bishop Eton, Liverpool) joined the international preparation community in Limerick two weeks before the event (led by our very own Bro Dominic O'Toole!) where they worked with representatives from other participating provinces on last minute preparations, gaining skills in how to present, lead discussion groups and plan and prepare liturgies.
The event was magnificent, as the following report will testify, but from a London Province point of view this Congress has been a catalyst for reviving the Redemptorist youth scene here. The faith, energy and talent exhibited from the delegates who attended from our own province was commented upon by many. Among many other things including implementing four of the workshops, we had the responsibility for leading a morning prayer and catechesis session and the maturity and creativity of the contribution of our group, resulted in very memorable and moving experiences. Even now that the Congress is over, their commitment to and hunger for, future gatherings and more localized work with the Redemptorists is exciting and must not be ignored.
I am delighted to have been charged with the responsibility of developing the youth scene here in this province and, having worked with the Redemptorists for over 20 years now (I started when I was 15!), I am excited about what our young people have to offer the Redemptorists and vice versa. Future events are currently being planned so watch this space!
Roisín Coll
Gallery
Pazzo Per Amore! Being Young and Christian in Europe today
Being young and being Catholic is sometimes a hard life to follow, as modern day society regularly criticises the youth of today. Despite this negativity, I believe greatly in the youth of today, and the trip to Limerick strengthened this belief tenfold.
On Wednesday 8th August 2007, the 8th European Redemptorist Youth Congress 2007 began. Young people and Redemptorists from all over Europe (and beyond!) gathered in the University of Limerick, Ireland to share faith, fun and friendship over five days – these days I will never forget.
On arriving we went straight to the opening event in the concert hall, and I was greeted by a sight that would put those pessimist's views to shame. Sitting there, cheering and clapping, were over seven hundred young people from all over the world, all of whom have congregated together to celebrate God's crazy love – for us – "Pazzo per Amore"! This is what St. Alphonsus, the founder of the Redemptorists, used to describe the way in which God loves us all; more so than we could ever comprehend. This was to be the main theme for the congress and so we learnt of God's crazy love by breaking it down into smaller daily themes. Throughout the week these themes were introduced in a creative manner at communal morning prayer, and then the theme was continued at catechesis, where we met in language groups. On attending your discussion group later in the day, we chatted about the theme of the day, and heard other people's opinions on the matter; which I thought was really interesting, as it's not often that you may hear people's opinions on such important religious matters. The smaller themes were, "Crib", "Cross", "Mary" and "Eucharist". Each afternoon had a choice of workshops to attend which again varied greatly from groups discussing the bible, sexuality, suicide while others included making rosary beads, painting, dancing and much more. I found by far the most fun workshop to be "God's iPod". Now this may sound peculiar to you but it was a very interesting hour and a half. You and your group would choose a well-known song (any), and then you would change the lyrics to be about the theme of the Congress or the theme of the day eg The Eucharist, Mary... you get the picture? The best part about it had to be that it wasn't just English speaking people doing it. We may have got a little lost in translation along the way, but nonetheless they were singing about God in their own language and in their own cultural way! (St Alphonsus was known for re-writing words to well known folk songs too!) I highly recommend you check out the limerick2007 website, click on "God's iPod" and then listen to the tracks. (The group I was in wrote, "He is there for you".)
Now it wasn't all just sitting around and doing workshop... oh no; the organisers somehow managed to incorporate exercise into the week! On the Friday evening, after a lovely reconciliation service at the beautiful St John's Cathedral, we went straight to the local hall for Ceilidh dancing, which was an absolutely hilarious night! The following morning, bright and early – and in the rain – we set off for a pilgrimage walk to Mount St Alphonsus which was one huge walk! Despite this there was a great sense of euphoria whilst doing it. Every person, every country, all with signs and flags, were walking through the streets of Limerick. By the time we had finished the walk we were greeted by the sight of Mount St Alphonsus, where we were to celebrate the Eucharist with Bishop Kevin Dowling CSsR from South Africa as the main celebrant. It was a lovely occasion and focused on Mary, as a woman of Justice and of Peace.
Once it was over we rushed back to the campus to prepare for the Eurovision Song Congress which was to take place later that night. The theme of the evening was ABBA and so after a very interesting practice, and dinner at "The Stables" – where we ate all of our main meals together – everyone went to the concert hall were the fun began! With everyone in 70's clothes and everyone trying to remember their words and dance routines, each country performed one after the other. When it finally came to the London Province's contribution I have to admit I had never been so scared in my life; but after our 3 minute performance of SOS, and great cheering from the audience, I left the stage with a huge smile on my face. Now, much to my disappointment, we came in fourth, but we still had a great night. After this it was off to "The Stables" for some drink and fun, (obviously only for those who could legally drink!) After a very packed week of socialising, learning, and having fun with people your own age it came to the closing ceremony on the Sunday night, led by the Redemptorist General, Fr Joseph Tobin. I was so sad since I really did not want the week to end!
I have never enjoyed myself so much in my life, and never made so many friends so quickly. I got out of the week exactly what I wanted – a stronger/renewed belief in my faith; a chance to gain some independence from my family; a chance to let my guard down and be more sociable; making friends with people from all over the world; an opportunity to express my belief more openly and finally an opportunity to learn more about God's crazy love for me. It truly was a great religious experience and reminded me that God is magnificent, continually forgiving, constantly loving, and always being there to act as an anchor in our lives through both the good and the bad times.
My final statement is quite simple... bring on Ukraine 2010!
Emily Kendal (Bishop Eton Parish, Liverpool)