Faith and Young people at the centre ” “

A week-end on an island in close contact with nature, an evening on the theme “Do you know Mary?” a day dedicated to “doing something for someone”, a visit to prisons during Christmas holidays, an evening spent watching movies or dedicated to leisure: these are some of the activities on the agenda of YoungSeven for the coming months. Selected by 22 Dutch youth organisations with a jury composed by a young woman, a lawyer and a bishop, YoungSeven received the “Hope” Award upon its first edition, during the national festival of young Catholics titled: “New, pure,intense”, held at the end of June in the park of the Cistercian Abbey of Nieuwkuijk. “Say no to an ephemeral, superficial, and throw away culture, a culture that assumes that you are incapable of taking on responsibility and facing the great challenges of life! Think big”, wrote Pope Francis in message to Dutch youths, to whom, paraphrasing the words of the title, His Holiness proposed three beatitudes (blessed be the poor in the spirit, the pure at heart, the merciful) in the period ahead of the 2016 world meeting of young people in Poland, just as “new, and revolutionary” is the message of Jesus’ beatitudes. “May the Holy Virgin intercede”, so that you may experience a new joy, pure and intense, a joy that you can only find in Jesus”, concluded the Pope. Msgr. Robertus Mutsaerts, delegate of the Bishops’ Conference for Youth Pastoral Care, on behalf of the jury of the “Hope” award, underlined “its positive, trustful approach” and “the ability to extend action beyond the borders of the parishes” of YoungSeven, whose efforts are dedicated to the young population, without speaking of “low numbers” as an excuse. The prize, a golden ring with precious stones on olive-tree wood, symbol of unity and continuity, will be kept by YoungSeven for a year, and will then be handed over to the next winner. “We’re very proud of this award. It’s a great encouragement for our group and a positive impulse for our members”, Fr Ignas Tilma, member of the coordinating group, told SIR Europe. How did the YoungSeven initiative come about? “It all began with the initiative promoted by Karin Blaauw, a young member of the inter-parish pastoral council representing seven communities in the Schagen region, in Northern Holland. This woman set up a team of which, being one of the youngest priests in the diocese, I am a member of. The basic idea was to work together in the organization of initiatives for young Catholics in post-Confirmation age (12-18 years old). The cooperation among the seven parishes encourages a broader range of activities than if they had been organized by a single parish. The representatives of the various communities have started working on this project at the end of 2010. The first initiatives for the youth were launched in October 2012”. What is the purpose of your activities? “The major goal is to enable young people to experience the possibility of finding their own place inside the church through a wide range of initiatives”. How many young people do you reach out to and involve? “For the time being, some thirty adolescents and youths are members of the group. Participation in activities – approximately one a month – can vary on the basis of concrete proposals. New members arrive and join the groups of Confirmed youths”. Young Catholics are a minority in Holland. What does it mean to be a faithful in a secularised society? “As previously mentioned, the number of participants is still low. However, YoungSeven is characterised by the positive approach whereby the Church and faith have something to offer to young people. We also seek to support, confirm and encourage young people in their religious experiences”. Are there ongoing relations with other groups of young believers from other Christian confessions or religions? “YoungSeven was established as an initiative for young Catholics, although since the beginning the activities and adhesion to the group was open to all those interested, regardless of their Christian or religious affiliation. It’s not even compulsory to be members to take part in our initiatives and all members are encouraged to bring their friends. There have been contacts and cooperation with youth groups from other churches. There are ongoing relations with the Office for Youth Pastoral Care of Haarlem-Amsterdam, the diocese we belong to, and with other youth groups in the diocese”. What does Europe represent for you? “YoungSeven carries out its activity at local level, focusing on the young people of our area, always working beyond the parishes’ borders. We don’t exclude the possibility of extending our contacts with youths from other European countries in the future”.