Navis | Seek to find

The first edition of Navis was a success. The aim of this seminar, which was organized in collaboration with KDPS (Kummissjoni Djoċesana Pastorali Skolatika), was to give space for our youth animators and members of school pastoral teams to listen to each other’s experiences, express their own challenges and feelings about them, and suggest solutions to overcome these challenges.

The seminar started with Fr Richard Farrugia’s keynote speech which was a reflection on the two inputs we had in May’s seminar. He reiterated Dr Marlene Cauchi’s main points regarding the reality of our adolescents and youth: their milestones which include identity, belonging and sexuality; and religion & spirituality. The statement that the Church is sometimes viewed as an “unsafe parent” echoed in our ears and made us wonder what’s wrong with our Church. This emphasized the fact that we need to accompany our youth more than ever in understanding their world whilst also empowering them to follow their dreams. 

Fr Richard reminded us of Fr Fabio’s talk where he continued to elaborate regarding what it means to accompany the youth and how to do it. He also discussed the identity of a youth leader and this gave us new insights and a better view of our aims. Last but not least, Christus Vivit was put in front of us to remind us that: youth ministry is a call for all the community; that we have to remember that youths are on a seeking journey which requires patience and determination; and that youth ministry cannot avoid the topics of vocation and discernment.

The Seminar continued with a moment of group work, where all animators were divided into different groups depending on the age of teens/youth which they serve or if they serve in the school pastoral team. Each group discussed the following questions:

1. Are we listening or judging our young people’s cries?
2. Are we there to serve or to dictate our youth?
3. Are we like the Good Samaritan who stopped to help or like the Priest/Levite that continued on their own journey?

This moment of discussion and reflection was followed by a much-needed coffee break. Needed, not so much for the coffee, tea or cookies that were being served, but for the informal moment between all animators to get to know one another. 

In the following hour each group shared their own discussions. It was clear that the pandemic was a great challenge for all the adolescent and youth groups. One could feel a sense of fatigue and uncertainty in starting yet another year with the same challenges brought about by the pandemic. However, the fact that everyone was sharing his own thoughts was an important milestone for everyone to feel in the same boat (Navis!) and to acknowledge that together we can sail into better horizons.

Last but not least, our Bishop, Mons Anton Teuma delivered his message to us, youth animators. He expressed the importance of the revolutionary spirit of the youth which is healthy for the Church and which is a way of how God reveals himself. He also pointed out that even though the youth do normally like to risk, today’s youth fear risking and are normally reluctant in making life-changing decisions. On the other hand, youth can be very generous and give their energy to others. Therefore, he encouraged us to embrace these characteristics which make our youth and continue to serve our Church by accompanying the youth.