DayBreak - Jesus Youth Australia Newsletter

Melbourne

May 23

May 25

sense

Jesus Youth Australia Newsletter December 2011

Music that

12

Perth

May 27

makes

REXBAND REXBAND TOUR OF AUSTRALIA

MAY 17 TO MAY 27 2012

australia@jesusyouth.org

Prayer of every Jesus Youth Missionary “We pray for a new heart – a humble heart which will always thirst for your presence; a shepherd’s heart which will always seek the least and the lost; a restless heart which will be at peace only when every brother

and sister of ours finds their joy in you; a missionary heart which will help us to abandon the ways of the world and fix our eyes on you until we meet you face to face in eternal glory.”

This newsletter is an initiative of Jesus Youth Australia (www.jesusyouth.org/ australia), produced by Jesus Youth Australia National Team. for any comments or suggestions contact us at jyaunewsletter @gmail.com

3

37

6 10 11

years ago in 1975 (just a month after I was ordained a priest), I heard Pope Paul VI say to us at the first International Charismatic Renewal Congress held in St.Peter’s

News R’ Aus

Adelaide

Making of a Missionary Priest

Brisbane

May 20

Hours of Grace

Sydney

May 19

Cover Story

May 17

www.jesusyouth.org

Canberra

Jesus Youth A Sign of Joy and Hope in today’s world Basilica, Rome: “This Renewal ought to rejuvenate the world, give it back a spirituality, reopen its closed lips to prayer and open its mouth to song, to joy, to hymns, and to witnessing ...

Those who do not belong to your Movement should unite themselves with you, so that they too might nourish themselves on the enthusiasm and spiritual energy with which we must live our

religion. For today, either one lives one’s faith with devotion, depth, energy and joy, or that faith will die out!” (L’Osservatore Romano, 295-75).

COVER STORY CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

dAyBreAk

December2011

JESUS YOUTH AUSTRALIA NEWSLETTER

Jesus Youth Australia wishes you a fruitful advent, joyful Christmas and a Blessed New Year 2012

Grasping God

2

The child was an angel sent by God to teach Augustine a lesson. Later, Augustine wrote: “You see the Trinity if you see love.” According to him the Father is the lover, the Son is the loved one and the Holy Spirit is the personification of the very act of loving. This means that we can understand something of the mystery of the Holy Trinity more readily

Evagrius of Pontus, a Greek monk of the 4th century from the present day Turkey in Asia said: “God cannot be grasped by the mind. If God could be grasped, God would not be God.” It is by sitting at the feet of the Lord like Mary, sister of Martha in fasting and abstinence that we can fully comprehend our missionary mission in the year of grace that is announced by our Australian Bishops. Having reached the threshold of this 2011, my heart exults in God at the Retreats, Rosary Fiesta and par-

ticularly for the Pentecostal experience many of our JY members had during the perpetual adoration all over Australia. God truly reveals many mysteries in this heart to heart dialogue with him. Let us strive towards the I–God–my neighbour vertical and horizontal Trinitarian relationship by loving the God living in others, thus maintaining the Trinitarian unity in our society and in our JY family! Wishing you God’s blessing in the NEW YEAR OF GRACE 2012 ! Fr. George Condookala Pastor for Jesus Youth NSW

pray for a

new heart Seven years have passed since the conception of our movement in Australia which initiated as a prayer gathering. After two months of prayer, discussions, sharing and networking, we decided to come together for the first Jesus Youth gathering on the 18th of July, 2004, at Dandenong, Melbourne. The gathering was marked by the joy of coming together, as Jesus Youth family and many expressed their desire to serve the Lord. The movement was then guided by our Lord step by step and sprouted to other cities like Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin and more recently, Canberra. The real joy is to see many Jesus Youth

live gospel values, being a sign of joyful contradiction and committing their lives to His Call. When I look back after seven years, I see how God is faithful and has kept His promises. Yes He helped us to walk through stormy seas and made us more than we can be, Praise God. As leaders of the movement, we have many things that we can be proud of. Having said that, this is the time to sense the prompting of Holy Spirit in our lives and in our movement. The time to respond to the missionary call Jesus gave us and to realise what it means when we say “Every Jesus Youth is a Missionary. Let us see our movement through the

“

eyes of God rather than through our own eyes, experience or through the perception of others. This month we will reconstitute the Jesus Youth National Team of Australia. This is a great opportunity for our movement to start afresh to receive great blessings that will guide our movement in the coming years. Let us pray for a new heart, a humble heart, a shepherd’s heart, a restless heart & a missionary heart Rajesh Thalappillil Coordinator JY Australia

WHAT YOU SAY

from the coordinator

Jesus Youth Australia Newsletter December 2011

St. Augustine, one of the intellectual giants of the Church was walking by the seashore one day, attempting to conceive of an intelligible explanation for the mystery of the Trinity. As he walked along, he saw a small boy on the beach, pouring seawater from a shell into a small hole in the sand. “What are you doing, my child?” asked Augustine. “I am trying to empty the sea into this hole,” the boy answered with an innocent smile. “But that is impos-

with the heart than with our feeble mind.

“On top of its obvious function of keeping everyone up to date with the going ons in other parts of Australia, its a great platform for interesting articles for spiritual growth, fun stuff like movie reviews and happenings in the Church across Australia. I’ve found it helpful in more than one occasion to show someone new to the movement a taste of just what we do and so far its never failed to impress. The whole layout of it is just so vibrant and peppy. Keep up the good work guys.” Johann Xavier Magnus, Brisbane Send your comments and feedbacks about the newsletter to jyaunewsletter@ gmail.com

Believing in Jesus Christ also means seeing man in a new way, with trust and hope. Moreover, experience itself and right reason testify that the human being is capable of understanding and of wanting, conscious of himself and free, unrepeatable and irreplaceable, the summit of all earthly realities, and who demands to be recognized as a value in himself and deserves always to be accepted with respect and love. He is entitled not to be treated as an object to be possessed or a thing to be manipulated at will, and not to be exploited as a means for the benefit of others and their interests.

POPE BENEDICT XVI

”

‘i Witness’ Sydney

brisbane Growing In Faith: Teens Discipleship Training Program (DTP): A Six day DTP was held, from the 15-21 April 2011 at Ephesus House, Northgate, Brisbane. The theme ‘Growing in Faith’ had a focus on strengthening ones Christian life. The 3 resource persons, George Devassy, Rajesh Thalappillil and Navin Thomas along with the local leaders, helped teens to get an insight into Scripture and inspired them with testimonies. Growing in God (GIG) - a JY Brisbane teens Initiative: GIG is an initiative that started off with the help of former fulltimer, Swapna - USA. Teens gather on the first Friday of the month for a time of praise and worship and group activities, whilst its main focus is to challenge teens to live in the fullness of Catholic faith. Making and Becoming Saints: 14 young families attended a family retreat, from the 2628 August, 2011 at Frederick Marsden Centre, Brisbane. The resource persons, Fr. George Kumblumootil and Elvis Kottooran focused on providing a new vision in living the Catholic faith as a family and to renew their marriage covenant. Since the retreat, families gather frequently as small groups, dreaming and working towards a vibrant family ministry.

Arise, Adelaide families and youth in having a profound experience and were enriched with gifts of the Holy Spirit. Teens Retreat: Connect 2011: 45 teens attended a 4 days retreat from 9- 12 April, 2011. Resource persons George Devassy, Fr. Bony Abraham, Fr John Aravankara, Fr David Reegon along with local JY leaders led the sessions. The main focus of the sessions was getting closer to God, to one another and to the Jesus Youth movement. The retreat concluded with teens sharing their experience with their parents. Since “Connect” many small groups gather every month and have also come together for two reunions to keep the flame of the Holy Spirit burning. Rosarium Fiesta - Celebration of the Rosary: October being the month devoted to Mother Mary, JY Melbourne came together to meditate and recite the rosary to renew their love and devotion to Mother Mary. The aim of this devotion was to promote daily rosary among the Jesus Youth in Melbourne. Highlights of the Fiesta: Rosary gatherings, Chain Fasting, Rosary Walks, Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Ta Pinu Marian Centre, Bacchus Marsh & Rosary Night Vigil. The Fiesta culminated on 29 October 2011, at St.Francis De Dales Church, Oak Park.

In His Radiance, Perth

Meeting the Bishop: JY Perth leaders along with Rajesh Thalappillil, National Co-ordinator visited Most Rev. Bishop Barry James Hicky, Bishop of Perth. The Bishop extended his heartfelt support and prayers for the Jesus Youth Ministry in Perth. Rosarium fiesta in Perth: Daily Rosary gatherings among the JY families throughout the month of October culminated on 29 October 2011 with a day long celebration at St. Aloysius Church, Shenton Park.

sydney Jericho Trip: 18 intercessors took part in the Jericho trip started with Holy Mass at Holy Spirit Church, North Ryde. The participants also visited Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel, where the tomb of St Mary of the Cross is located. Revived Witnesses: 16 families and 15 youth attended “Revive”. Three day residential family retreat and a two day Youth retreat, “I Witness” was held from 1921 August, 2011 at Edmund Rice Retreat Centre, Mulgoa. Resource persons: Fr. George Kumbulimoottil and Elvis Kottooran.

melbourne

perth

Adelaide

Living a Christo - Centric Life: A three day retreat from the 13-15 August, 2011 at Campaspe Downs Country Resort, Knyeton was attended by 26 families and 23 youth who were challenged to respond to the Damascus experience and to lead a Christo-centric and Christophoric lifestyle. The resource persons Fr. George Kumblumottil and Elvis Kottooran led both

In His ‘Radiance’: A three day retreat was attended by 17 youth from 2 – 4 September, 2011 with the focus of the program based on Hebrew 1:3 “I am the radiance of God’s Glory.” Fr. George Kumblumootil was the main resource person who led the youth into experiencing the love of God and infilling of the Holy Spirit.

Arise’11 – Jesus Youth Teens Camp: 43 teens attended a three day camp held at Rostrevor College, Adelaide. Resource persons, Fr Bony Abraham (MGL) and Dr. Priya Allencherry focused on Discovering Christ as the Love of our Lives, realizing his presence in everyday life, understanding Christian life and the challenges faced by teens.

DTP, Brisbane

Yes Lord, Darwin

new beginnings JY Darwin

YES LORD: Jesus Youth Darwin, organised a One day Youth Gathering “Yes Lord” at St. Pauls Catholic Church, Nightcliff on 3rd September. The resource persons included Elvis Kotooran and Rajesh Thalappillil. Around 40 youth gathered, to say YES to the LORD. The programme was blessed by the presence of Bishop Eugene Hurley, Fr. Vince Caroll and Fr. Joseph. This marked the birth of JY Darwin. New initiatives of JY Darwin YOUTH PRAYER MEETING Every Thursday 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm at St.Paul’s Catholic Church, Nightcliff. LIVING BREAD Evangelise through sms. A word of God and small reflection every day morning by sms. It will help to live according to the word of God on that day. Minute for God - M4G Change Darwin/Australia through prayer. One minute intercession for the Northern Territory especially youth and young couples. Praying ‘Our Father’ every night 9pm wherever you are. YOUTH MASS and Monthly Gathering: Every 3rd Sunday of the month at St.Paul’s Catholic Church, Nightcliff.

JY Canberra gathering

Jesus Youth Australia Newsletter December 2011

Greetings of the season of ADVENT!

sible, my dear child,” said Augustine. The boy stood up, looked straight into the eyes of Augustine and replied, “What are you trying to do - comprehend the immensity of God with your small head - is even more impossible.” Then he vanished.

from the pastor

Dear Jesus Youth Missionaries,

an update of Jesus Youth Australia events

11

COVER STORY CONTINUED

of the JY apostles

Jesus Youth Australia Newsletter December 2011

He decided to take it as a Mission to walk a few miles every week, putting catalogues in front of houses with a simple prayer for all those houses and the people living there. He dared to take that step with a missionary heart and decided to collect the money received through that for another purpose – “supporting Priests and their Formation”. And he enjoyed it in spite of rough weather and loneliness. Interesting enough his 3 kids also joined in arranging the packs of catalogues with simple intercessory prayers every week. He walked with his Rosary, dreamt about more people responding to God’s call to Priestly Vocations and thanked the Lord for such wonderful graces.

10

I was born into a very strong catholic family. Seeing the example of my grandfather, parish priests and my uncle who is a priest, I too wanted to be a priest from such a young age. However, when I finished Year 12, I no longer had the desire to become a priest. I ended up attending a Teens Retreat run by Jesus Youth in my parish. I went along thinking that I’d be in the company of girls for three days. I had fun at the retreat. However, on the last day at the anointing prayer I experienced the person of Holy Spirit for the first time. I felt a power inside of me which literally shook me. Ever since I have been in love with the person of the Holy Spirit. It’s then that I thought about priesthood again. I was attracted to the external sides of priesthood, the power, the cassock, the respect and so on but there was no spiritual motivation in me to commit my life. It was in 2002 that God allowed me to change my mind. I went through many struggles. I was moving around in Bombay, Hyderabad and Banglore in search of a Job. I felt alone in the world for the first time.

God has put this desire in his heart and he is trying to be faithful to that prompting. Keep this “Catalogue Missionary” and his family from Brisbane in your prayers.

Intercession Mailer In June this year, many of the JY’s across Australia started receiving an e-mail with Intercession intentions. Most of the prayer requests were very urgent and important, it has received a good support and it started bearing many fruits as e-mails were coming again with the details of answered prayers and blessings. Many prayers were answered miraculously! No one told Shaan Gomez, JY Brisbane Asst. Coordinator) to start it, but he was inspired by the Holy Spirit to take such a step.

I experienced rejection from family and friends. I was discriminated against and experienced being poor, hungry and homeless for the first time. I was moving from friends to friends. It was the hardest time of my life but the most fruitful. I saw the real world; the pain of hunger, the desperation of young people, their helplessness, the bad influences of wrong friendships, the pain of the consequences of sin. I didn’t attend a retreat but I experienced the vivid presence of the Holy Spirit inside of me. The trust, admiration and love for Jesus were growing deep within me. He was forming my heart through those hard times. The Lord gave me the conviction that the best way I could serve his people is to be a missionary priest. I could sense inside of me a thirst to preach Jesus. I wanted to be a charismatic priest, preaching the Good news and sharing God’s love. He brought me exactly there; to the Missionaries of God’s Love.

It is my great conviction formed out of the scripture that when

Nothing can stop Rhea!

God is good, no more I doubt it

She is really bold and her zeal for the Lord is amazing! Rhea went through tough times this year, met with a terrible accident in which she and her one year old child escaped narrowly. Hardships of going through a few rounds of surgeries, the pain of having a different face after the accident and worries of being a new immigrant to Australia doesn’t make her slow down. Rhea is putting her hundred percent effort for her prayer meeting in Darwin and helping the young people to commit their lives to the Lord. Rhea and her family’s testimony is influencing the hearts of many in Darwin.

Lijo is always available! be it for the Music Ministry or for the Service Team meetings. He is committed for the National Meetings, Youth Gatherings and even the Teens Retreats. Friday Prayer Meetings in Melbourne without the presence of Lijo is unthinkable. He shares a lot of dreams about JY with people around. He has his own daily struggles and uncertainities, but it all makes him sing that his God is good. Giving fully to the Lord is what he is trying to do everyday. Lijo is presently the National Youth Coordinator of JY Australia!

Pope Benedict XVI too is saying similar things too today, and he and the Vatican are surely thinking highly of the Jesus Youth Missionary Movement too! Jesus Youth is a Sign of Joy and Hope in the Church today, and is called to continue to be so!

To respond to this sad situation, he said the leaders of the Church must return “over and over again to the freshness of the power of the Gospel, and the freshness of the relationship with Jesus that should be the centre of our lives.” Happily, on the other hand, several Spiritual Ecclesial Movements (Jesus Youth for example) are helping millions of people to live their faith “with enthusiasm and spiritual energy.” Bl. John Paul II declared, “One of the Spirit’s gifts to our age is certainly the flowering of ecclesial movements, which from the very beginning of my Pontificate I have continued to identify as a reason for hope for the Church and for mankind …” (Vigil of Pentecost, 1996).

God calls He does not call randomly. Rather, when He calls, He does in a particular time, to a particular place and for a particular mission. I struggled to co-operate with his call in my weaknesses. However, the providence of God took me through. I didn’t have an easy journey in the seminary. I had to work hard on my discipline of prayer, I had to work on my stress management, emotional stability, self-esteem, and many other areas. The Lord challenged me and crushed my heart many times. He wanted me just for himself. I am so happy as a religious priest serving the Gospel. My dream is to preach Jesus with the help of the Holy Spirit until my last breath.

making of a

missionary priest

Our dear late Pope had high praise for us: “As you celebrate the 25th anniversary of the beginning of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, I willingly join you in giving praise to God for the many fruits which it has borne in the life of the Church. The emergence of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal following the Second Vatican Council was a particular gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church …” (L’O.R., 14 Mar 1992).

At an earlier audience granted to the international leaders of Catholic Charismatic Renewal, where again I was present as the Chairman of the ICCRS Council in Rome, John Paul II declared, “The vigour and fruitfulness of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal certainly attest to the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit at work in the Church after the Second Vatican Council … Because of the Spirit, the Church preserves a continual youthful vitality, and the Catholic Charismatic Renewal is an eloquent manifestation of this vitality today, a bold statement of ‘what the Spirit is saying to the Churches’ as we approach the end of the Second Millennium…” (14 May, 1987). Pope Benedict XVI too is saying similar things too today, and he and the Vatican are surely thinking highly of the Jesus Youth Missionary Movement too! Jesus Youth is a Sign of Joy and Hope in the Church today, and is called to continue to be so! At your last year’s 25th Jubilee celebrations in Cochin, many cardinals, bishops and priests, and lay people too, gave thanks to God for his marvellous deeds among you all. JYI has helped many young Catholics to experience a “baptism in the Holy Spirit,” that is, to personally experience the graces of Christian discipleship: an intense love for and commitment to Jesus as one’s personal Saviour and Lord; a childlike trust in and loving obedience to the Father; an openness to the guidance and gifts of the Holy Spirit; and deep commitment to the Body of Christ, the Church. So please continue to grow stronger in the Spirit! Do not allow the insidious winds of secularisation, hedonism, materialism, etc., “quench the Spirit” in you, as they seem to be doing in many youth and adults of your country. Let Jesus make you the “salt” and “light” and “leaven” of the Gospel! Then you yourselves will experience deep fulfilment in becoming more and more worthy of the name, Jesus Youth!

FR. FIORELLO MASCARENHAS, SJ Fr. Fio, as he is popularly known, is the Co-Director of the Catholic Bible Institute, Mumbai, India. He was Instrumental in helping the ICCRS become the driving force in international evangelisation and renewal that it is today,

He worked as its resident Director from 1981-1984, and became Chairman of its international Council in 1984. He has visited over 80 countries to preach at Leaders Seminars, Clergy Retreats and Charismatic Conferences.

Jesus Youth Australia Newsletter December 2011

Catalogue Missionary

Prophetic words indeed! “Either one lives one’s faith with devotion, depth, energy and joy, or that faith will die out!” Sadly, the latter is what we are seeing today in the worldwide Church. (According to various statistics, the faith is dying out in many Western countries). In your own country Australia, the President of the Bishops Conference, Abp. Wilson of Adelaide, told Vatican Radio just last month (October 2011) that the greatest challenge facing the Church in Australia is convincing people of the importance faith must have in their everyday lives. He stated, “The greatest challenge facing Australia is the influential power of secular views of life, so that people believe it is possible to live a fulfilled life without belief in God, and many people think that faith and the experiences of living in the Church are irrelevant to them in their lives.”

3

A C H R J O S E P H I G

B N H V M A N G E R Y L

Y G G R W I S S T A R O

J Y A E I A E H F A A R

E E A B L S D M I N M I

S K J D R A T V G N A A

U N Y A Y N E M E S I W

S O Y T I V I T A N T I

J D S A L O H L I N T S

advent angel mary donkey bethlahem star manger birthday st nicholas baby jesus wise men gift

Mystery Question: Answer to last edition’s question: Who is the youngest saint ever canonized by the Roman Catholic Church? Saint Maria Goretti is the youngest ever Saint of the Roman Catholic Church. She was just 11 years 9 months and 21

days when she perhaps made the bravest choice on earth for love for God by shedding her blood and sacrificing her life on July 6, 1902. Question for this edition: Who is the first saint of Australia? (Answer in the next newsletter)

4

St Augustine says we will struggle as Christians in this world, trying to persevere until the very end. This is our very experience of life, especially in a family aspect, which gets challenged from all sides. Media and society instructs us to put ‘YOU’ first and seek pleasures. In the midst of a culture that promotes hedonism we struggle to raise our children with the teachings of Christ. However, it has been an amazing journey so far!

persevere until the very end

Jesus Youth Australia Newsletter December 2011

JY FAMILIES COLUMN We were blessed as children to grow up with parents and grandparents of great faith. Our faith, the precious gift we received, was instilled in our very beings as children. The seeds of faith grew in us as a result of their care and love, and the example of the faith they lived. Their prayers for us constantly nurtured these seeds. Our faith developed from an intellectual level to a personal relationship with Christ, because of personal encounters and experiences from various retreats that we attended as young adults. We realized that only such a personal relationship could foster growth in our spiritual lives. Our personal encounters woke us up to the reality of what is really important in this life – a relationship with the creator of the universe! All other things faded in importance. Jesus Youth’s focus on a Christocentric life, encourages and challenges us to constantly seek Him.

To instill faith in our children and provide them tools to grow in it, is one of the primary aims of our lives. We believe that if we daily live out our faith while surrendering our children to God in constant prayer, we have a greater chance of assisting them to cultivate their faith. The Jesus Youth Friday prayer group in Melbourne city has been a great blessing for our family. Being surrounded by young people of faith is truly inspiring for our children, as they witness how young adults give importance to attend this prayer meeting regularly. We know God has always had a plan for our lives. Jesus Youth movement has been instrumental to allow us to give back some of what God has blessed us with. The youth are amazingly vibrant and full of energy, always ready to be engaged. They inspire us to continually examine our lives and grow spiritually. At the heart of Jesus Youth, the

missionary call challenges us to reassess our response to Christ. We believe we are called to be missionaries in our own family and within our immediate community, in our own small ways. We are confident that God will continue to guide us in the daily struggles of our lives. We marvel at the amazing ways in which we have been guided. For us as a family, the journey towards God’s kingdom continues. We hope and pray that we can continue to respond to our call in deeper ways, to become missionaries for Christ, in all situations.

A sheep has no worries but to follow its shepherd and it does this blindly and happily. How blessed are we to have a choice to BE a sheep of the Lord, our shepherd - a shepherd who protects & guides patiently; a shepherd who has blessed us all with that freedom of choice to be loved by Him and to follow Him to that eternal happiness. I am convinced that I want to be a sheep of our Lord. Yet I kept wondering; how can I convince others about this awesome love and freedom of being happy? After my few months of fulltimership in America and in India, I jumped on a plane to Brisbane, Australia, where I would spent the next 6 months, to see if I could find any more sheep! They were brought to me in vast numbers and it was scary. They were young, energetic, and crazy and had doubt filled minds. Yet, probably the most refreshingly, loving and open group of people that I have met in my life...TEENAGERS! [Insert high-pitch scream of a frightened girl here] I was not sure of what to expect. As usual I got on my

knees and begged the Lord to help me open my heart to them, and hopefully they would see His love. I started my journey in a small church in Brisbane called St. Paschal, Chermside with twelve teendisciples and two Jesus Youth volunteers. We started our prayer meetings with the Jesus Youth Prayer, action songs, and a power-point presentation on the Jesus Youth movement. To say that we had all the teens awake and jumping to be sheep of our Lord, probably wouldn’t be the truth. “I hated our small group in the beginning” said one of our teens. Yes, that would probably best describe how most of the teens felt about our first few meetings. Then God finally broke into my thick skull and told me to put myself into their shoes. So I did. I watched teen movies and did more research on this group of extremely active humans. For this, God helped me the most, especially during my awesome hours in silent adoration. When we started to read the Gospel, reflect through activities and watch moral-related movies, they started to relax more and began to slowly understand messages given to them. The

Z o N E TeeNS

meets became more productive. Soon another group was formed in the south of Brisbane.

One of the greatest events during the retreat was during daily hour of adoration with the Lord. There were times when we told the teens that they were free to leave at the end of the hour, yet they chose to stay longer to adore Him. Such intimate moments had the most impact on them. Needless to say, after the retreat, groups continued to grow in faith, hope and love in the Lord. During my time here in Australia I also travelled to Melbourne and Sydney, to be welcomed, challenged, and to share. “Open the eyes of my heart, Lord” has become one of my all-time favorite songs. I introduced this to the teens hoping for them to do what the song states. In saying this, the Lord has truly used this special group of crazy, rebellious, energetic, loving teens to open my heart to the Lord’s love as well. Swapna Paippattuthara

EAH(Extremely Active Humans)

‘A fulltimers experience of working with teens’

WordOnFire.org - Fr. Barron’s website launched in 1999 and currently draws over 1 million visitors a year from every continent. Fr. Barron posts weekly video clips, commentaries and radio sermons and offers an audio archive of over 500 homilies. Podcasts of his sermons are widely used by tens of thousands of visitors each month.

Gene & Sheela Thalappillil have been married for 17 years and have been blessed with Alisha (15), Joshua (12) and James (10). Gene is a Jesus Youth National Animator

website review Father Robert Barron is an acclaimed author, speaker, and theologian. He is the founder of Word On Fire (www.WordOnFire.org).

art, architecture, music and history, which he calls upon throughout his global travels in the making of the documentary.

Fr. Barron is the creator and host of CATHOLICISM, a groundbreaking tenpart documentary series and study program about the Catholic faith. He is a passionate student of

Word On Fire programs are broadcast regularly on WGN America, Relevant Radio, CatholicTV, EWTN, the popular Word on Fire YouTube Channel, and the Word on Fire website.

movie review Award-winning viral movie “180” by author and film producer Ray Comfort received over a million views in 22 days and has been changing public opinion on abortion in a matter of minutes. Titled to reflect the complete turnaround in the mindsets of all to whom the question

is posed, the award-winning film shows eight “pro-choice” people, mostly college students, changing their stance to pro-life just moments after the question is asked in its entirety. It only takes 33 minutes to view the entire movie and that will rock your world.

Jesus Youth Australia Newsletter December 2011

B E T H L A H E M J O B

jy kids game zone puzzle 2

Rules 1. Find words on right side of wordfind and circle once found. (see example ‘baby Jesus’) 2. Words can be found vertical, horizontal, straight, diagonally both upwards and backwards 3. Ask your parents to help you solve the mystery or ask them to join you do this puzzle.

“I just want to be a sheep! BA BA BA BA BA! “

9

Fr. John’s Silver Jubilee of Priestly Ordination

8

You should be “Young at Heart”, you need to have “Simple and Humble lifestyle of Prayer” and “Make yourself available for others” – these are the 3 points which we see from Fr. John’s life.

Being the National pastor of JY Australia and JY Melbourne for the last 7 years is not a small thing. It was Fr John who took the initial steps to build the Syro Malabar Community in Melbourne from it’s initial phase. Now it has spread across more than 1200 Syro Malabar families in Melbourne itself after 10

years of hard work and labour. He stood as one of the strong pillars of Jesus Youth movement in Australia.

Dear Father, with a grateful heart, JY Australia wishes you special Jubilee Greetings with a Spiritual Bouquet!

37 FruitfultheDays in Spirit

Crossing boundaries and borders, oceans and seas Delightful to live with the Christ in me My heart overfilled with tears and joy Seeking His grace from dust to dawn.. Portugal, France, Italy, Spain Unconditional was His love, always towards me Live by Christ, firm in faith, planted and built, grace beyond grace 20th August 2011, Cuatro Vientos Airfiled, was the biggest adventour in WYD history! The wind and rain brought a tremendous downpour of chaos and confusion. Hostile weather, rattling tents, drenched mass,

flying umbrellas, puddles of water. Yet, nobody left! The Pope didn’t abandon us, neither did God. They stayed with us till the very end. While the Blessed Sacrament was exposed, a deep silence overtook the crowd. We

knelt in mud to adore Jesus. Profound prayer and hope had overtaken human uncertainty and confusion. For me this was the most miraculous experience. It portrayed the message what the Holy Father had come to proclaim. When our lives are ‘planted and built up in Jesus Christ’, no storm or adversity can shake our faith. Though my ‘37 Fruitful Days’ had come to an end; I realised the relationship built with ‘My Father’ will never die. At WYD, one is privileged to be in unity with the Catholic Church and realise how vibrant, alive and diverse it is. One sees and experiences the commandment

that Jesus gave us, “Love one another, as I have loved you”. WYD is a life changing experience which helps you to strive to be worthy of His kingdom. You fall in love with your religion all over again. Start saving for WYD 2013 Brazil; and be prepared to experience the Light of the World I’m going to be there! Are you? ------------------------Kandida Lynn Franklyn Melbourne

1

“Are you Saved?”

Ever faced this question? How should a Jesus Youth as a catholic answer this?

The two words, “salvation” and “being saved” in the New Testament are the words,

‘soterion’, a noun (denoting deliverance, preservation, salvation), and, ‘sozo’, a verb (denoting to save). Both words have three meanings in the Bible. Catholic Christians can respond that they have been saved. This acknowledges the first meaning of “saved” and “salvation” in scripture--Jesus Christ, Savior, by whose act of salvation we are objectively saved--He died, rose from the dead, saved them from sin. 2 Cor 5:17 So whoever is in Christ is a new creation

Catholic Christians can also respond that they are being saved. This acknowledges the second meaning “saved” and “salvation” have in scripture-the present experience, God’s power delivering constantly from the bondage of sin.

2

1 Cor 15:2 Through it (the gospel) you are also being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.

3

Catholic Christians also respond that they will be saved, that they have hope and confidence that God will give them the grace of perseverance; that they will respond to it; and accept his gift of salvation until their death. This acknowledges the third meaning the words “saved” and “salvation” have in scripture-the future deliverance of believers at the Second Coming of Christ. Rom 5:9 How much more then, since we are now justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath.

ask father bony “My friends are really cool, they are stylish, they have a good time partying & drinking alcohol.. what’s wrong in me joining them? It would feel weird if I don’t join them.

Recently a young man came to me sharing his struggles. He is a leader in a youth group and is finishing his first year of uni. The dilemma is that he’s leading a double life. When he comes to prayer group, he helps with music, leads prayers and talks. However with uni friends, he drinks excessively, goes off to have sex, etc,. While trying out the secular materialistic world, he avoids the topic of religion, Jesus and even his commitment to youth group. He’s afraid of being left out and teased. Torn between two worlds, the world of faith and the ‘other’ world, he’s tired of wearing masks, pretending and doesn’t

have peace of mind. What a sad man! To put him out of the misery, I told him that he shouldn’t keep two girlfriends, no matter how great a juggler he is. I explained that if he has to say YES to

Christ, it has to be a YES all the time and everywhere.

cook dishes with a bit of this and a bit of that – why? Because we want tasty dishes! Taste is a momentary experience of flavour. Once food passes down the throat, whether it’s curry or Hungry Jacks, it all becomes the same; that is, it all becomes crap!!

Yes my dear loving friends, there’s no compromise in a YES to Christ. In the parable of the sower (Matt 13:1-23), Jesus talks about the seeds that fell among the thorns. They sprang up quickly but the cares for the world and the delight in riches (thorns), choked them. There is no middle ground with Jesus; either we are with Him or against Him. We

To make this life tastier, we mix things; a bit of sex, bit of alcohol, bit of gambling or occasional gossip. To this, we add bits of Jesus and parts of Bible, and eat with bit of Jesus youth on the side. And, what do we get? - A sensation in our mouth for sometime. We end up betraying ourselves by living different lives, wearing masks and finally getting sick of

everythingbecause we’ve become CRAP. Imagine God’s lovely children becoming crap! God did not create crap. Let us live a life that is worthy of God. As his beloved children, let’s nourish ourselves by frequently attending holy Eucharist and sacrament of Confession, by choosing healthy friends, by standing up for Christian values, and by leading a joyful life supporting each other in our Jesus Youth Family. “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other”. (Matt 6:24)

With Love Fr. B

Jesus Youth Australia Newsletter December 2011

Aravankara is celebrating the Silver Jubilee of his Priestly Ordination this year!

EXPLORE MY FAITH

Jesus Youth Australia Newsletter December 2011

The Parish Church was packed with people, while others were standing at the back as no seats were available – eagerly waiting to convey their regards and prayerful wishes to an extraordinary person who had touched all their lives at various levels. They said to Father John – “Happy Jubilee Father!”. Fr. John

5

25th April 8.00 am – 1st May 9.00 pm Holy Spirit Church, 191 Cox’ Road, North Ryde After the Holy Mass at 8.30 am parish priest Fr. George inaugurated the adoration on 25th April. Parishioners and Jesus Youth joined together for the rosary and praise and worship. In spite of obstacles such as few cancellations, people not reaching on time etc., the commitment of key Leaders ensured that everything went well. “Hours of Grace” adoration at Sydney was completed on 1st May with Holy Mass. Fr.Stan offered his parish

for next year as well. He suggested that Jesus Youth lead monthly Youth Mass and adoration from Easter Monday to Divine Mercy Sunday. JY Sydney service team and ‘Hours of Grace’ coordinators Jude and Benny took this as a mission. Testimonies: “ God has answered my prayers, I don’t know where they came from, they did it so well .And Blessed Sacrament was never unattended. The way they prayed re-

ally moved my spirit”- A parishioner during a common testimony session. Fr. Stanislaw Kluk, Parish Priest, Holy Spirit Church North Ryde

An intercession campaign for 50 days, round-the-clock, held at different parishes across five cities of Australia.

Christianity is about experiencing the powerful reality of the living Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. ‘Hours of Grace Adoration’ helped me to get this, as sometimes in our day to day life we forget Jesus or give him less priority. - Sunil Jose, Sydney

Jesus Youth Australia Newsletter December 2011

“A thousand years of enjoying human glory is not worth even an hour spent in sweetly communing with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.” (St. Padre Pio)

6

Hours of Grace Beginnings Days of revival in the movement - no one dreamt or planned for it – it just seems to have evolved on its own and in every step, there has been an experience of the hand of God.

May 1st to 5th Brave Hearts from

Brisbane

Canberra, Darwin, Alice Springs, New Castle & Mildura!

14th May 8.00 am 23 rd May 8.00 am Our Lady of Fatima Church, 350 Mortimer Rd, Acacia Ridge.

The new regions like Canberra (Gino and few JY’s) , Darwin (Rhea and few JY’s), Alice Springs (Anish), Newcastle (Sidharth), Mildura (Blessy)

JY Brisbane started the Hours of Grace on 14th May at 8.30 am with Holy Eucharist. JY, parishioners and people from far (even from NSW) came forward to adore the Lord. This initiative boosted our missionary zeal. We will continue to be ‘at the service of the church’.

took initiative to spend half a day / few hours spending time with the Eucharistic Lord and ensured that the chain didn’t break.

Perth:

5 th May 7.00 pm 14 th May 3.00 pm St Jerome’s Church, 36 Troode Street, Munster.

“JY Perth had 10 days of Grace which started with Holy Mass, rosary and adoration. Parishioners along with Jesus youth experienced the amazing

presence of the Lord and many of them felt the time passed so quickly, that they wished it continued. ” – Sony, Perth.

Testimony: “Very encouraging to see Jesus Youth movement organise this exposition of our Lord in this church on 24/7 basis. I would like to see more of it. God bless all who acknowledge His presence in the Holy Eucharist”.– Yvonne, Brisbane

In many countries, these days of Grace are accompanied by eucharistic adoration, night vigils, various prayer initiatives and campaigns, pilgrimages, special get-togethers of various ministries and groups, reflections and family gatherings, and intercession days; aided by prayers of the Church, rosaries, Divine Mercy Chaplets etc, .As such the true spirit of the movement was rekindled. These are some examples of the Jesus Youth drive that shines around the world during the ‘Hours of Grace’.

7 Focuses of Prayer campaign 1. Bishops, Priests, Religious, Seminarians and Lay faithful in this country 2. Intentions of Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI 3. Praying for the vocations. 4. Evangelization of Australia 5. Sanctification of Jesus Youth movement 6. Migrants, Refugees & people affected by disasters 7. Promoting a culture of Life

Adelaide

adoration for the Kingdom’s sake and for the reviving of our land. Mark. Adelaide

Jesus Youth Australia has taken a brave initiative this year to make a perpetual adoration during the paschal season (Easter to Pentecost) for 50 days - known as “Hours of Grace”, mainly focussing on seven prayer intentions across various cities. The entire phase had three distinct objectives - purifying oneself, praying for the movement and drawing closer to the Church.

29 th May 9.30 am - 12th June 01.00 am St Frances De Sales Church, 626 Pascoe Vale Road, Oak Park. The opening mass on 29th May was celebrated by Fr. John Aravankara, Pastor, Jesus Youth Australia, at 09.30 am followed by a Eucharistic procession to the Adoration chapel. There was active and ongoing participation from the parishioners, and the chapel was packed. Many youth from various parts of Melbourne turned up to be with the King of Kings, and to praise and worship Him. Hours of Grace

“For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.” Psalm 84:10

ended on 11th June midnight with the celebration of pentecost day along with the ‘JY Missionary Commitment Day’. Testimonies: “No words to explain! Hours of Grace made me repent for my sins; I left the hall with the Holy Spirit in me, enjoying the presence of the Lord, and I am sure it will make my life better”. LIJO KURIAN

“The prayer gave me confidence and courage to face the challenges around me. I am thankful to God for all the blessings that He has given to me. Thank you Lord for making such a wonderful environment for prayer, that has driven me more close to you”. SHRUTHY SIMON

Investing in prayer and drawing closer to the Church In his address to the Holy Father at the Ad Limina Apostolorum visit, President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference -Archbishop Philip Wilson, announced that Australian Church has decided to celebrate a Year of Grace from

Pentecost 2012 to Pentecost 2013. Through this time, the Church will seek to contemplate the face of Jesus and to listen to his voice at a new depth; with the belief that only He can lead us into the future, make us one in faith, hope and love.

How can Jesus Youth Australia join with Church in this time of renewal & revival?

Hours of Grace 2012 The present Jesus Youth National Team of Australia has taken a unanimous decision to go forward with the plan of celebrating ‘Hours of Grace (Ash wednesday to Pentecost Sunday) with the Eucharistic Lord’ in 2012.

22 nd May 6.00 pm 29 th May 10.00 am Our Lady of Rosary Church, 16 Barker Rd. Prospect. This suburb, city and state has been greatly blessed by this exposition of Blessed Sacrament. Please continue this

This is also a time to renew the commitment to the pillars (Daily Prayer, Word of God, Sacraments, Fellowship, Service and Evangelisation) of the movement and to understand it’s call in a deeper way. Groups set aside days of special prayers with specific intentions such as -for the leaders, the ministries, other Jesus Youth around the world, etc . Such detailed plan of spiritual renewal is accomplished through sacrifices, fasting and abstaining from comforts.

Melbourne

The very description of the Jesus Youth movement, ‘A missionary movement at the service of the Church’, clearly proclaims that the move-

ment is only relevant in the context of the Church. These days, with special intercession for the intentions of the Holy Father and prayers for the leaders of the Church, are definitely a time to deepen the love for the Church. Jesus Youth should view this as a smart investment in prayer, purification and worship that will yield exciting returns of grace in the years to come. Jesus Youth has always used

the ministry of intercession as its powerhouse to propel the diverse ministries of the movement. Let this upcoming Hours of Grace give us the drive to join with the Australian Catholic Church’s initiative for a ‘New Evangelisation in the Great Southland of the Holy Spirit’! Jesus Youth National Team, Australia

Jesus Youth Australia Newsletter December 2011

A perpetual Eucharistic adoration from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday

Sydney:

7