(Marystown) As a follow up to World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto, a youth group has been formed on the Burin Peninsula by the youth and chaperones who attended the international event this past summer.

The formation of the group comes at the invitation of Pope John Paul II who challenged the pilgrims at World Youth Day to bring the message they had received, back to their parishes to help evangelize other young people who could not attend.

The theme of World Youth Day was "You are the salt of the earth, you are the light of the world" (Mt. 5:13-14) At the various events in Toronto this theme was expressed in many ways, as young people and their chaperones, danced, sang and prayed in praise of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Pilgrims from Sacred Heart Parish, Marystown, St. Patrick's Parish, Burin and Christ the King Parish, Rushoon, gathered on Sunday, November 17 to share their World Youth Day experiences. The gathering was held at the Mercy Convent. The group thanked Sister Theresa March and Sister Margaret Pittman for their generosity and hospitality in hosting the meeting ands and for joining us in the celebration of the Eucharist, presided by Fr. Ray Earle. Mr.  Steve Courtney lead a reflection which helped us to see our own gifts and talents and to express to others the gifts and talents that we see in them. Steve is a seminarian for the Archdiocese and is completing his pastoral year at Sacred Heart Parish and St. Patrick's Parish.

After Mass, a meeting was held to discuss the possibility of forming a youth group for our area. As everyone was in favor of the idea, a leadership team was put in place and there was a discussion of projects that a youth group could become involved in.

The leadership team is made up of Josh Handrigan, Bernice Curtis, Felicia Walsh, Danielle Whiffen and Meghan Farrell representing the youth and Father Ray Earle, Steve Courtney, Brenda Walsh and Dann Dober who will serve as advisors.

It was decided that the group would meet once a month, on Sunday evening. The age limit would be 13 years old and up.

The mandate of the newly established group will be to serve social, community service and faith dimension. .

The social events suggested included; pizza nights, BBQ, hiking, skating party, cabin party, sing-a-long and games night. Some of the community events were Christmas caroling at the senior's home, snow shoveling for seniors, food drive, assistance to the Family Aid and hospital visits. Some of the faith activities include Mass, Rosary, pilgrimages, Bible study, leading of Holy Hour, participation in the ministries at the weekend liturgies, youth choir, helping younger children and re-enactment of the Nativity at Christmas and the Passion at Easter.

The Leadership Team Met

The leadership team met on November 23 to make further plans for the group. Bernice Curtis and Meghan Farrell spoke at the Masses in Marystown, that weekend, to inform other youth of the group being formed. A flyer and registration form were produced by Steve Courtney and
made available for distribution on the weekend of December 1. Plans were also put in place for the monthly gatherings for December 2002 to May 2003.

The first gathering of the group will be December 22. This will be a Christmas social with various icebreaker activities to help the young people to get to know each other. There will be a discussion of World Youth Day, prayer and Christmas music, followed by pizza.

The leadership team will meet again on January 18, 2003.

On January 26, 2003, the group will conduct a food drive for the Sacred Heart Parish Family Aid Food Bank. This community service project will help to replenish the shelves of the food bank after the busy Christmas season. The Family Aid Committee will be asked to hold a
small social for the group.

On February 23, 2003 the youth will attend Mass as a group and will participate in the various ministries. As a social event a sliding or skating party will be held on March 30. On the first Friday of each month, a Holy Hour is held at Sacred Heart Parish. The youth group will develop and lead this Holy Hour on May 2, 2003, focusing on the role of youth in the Church and society. May 18, 2003 is promoted as "World Day of Youth" in Canada. The group will be discussing ways to host an event that will draw interest from all of the youth of the Burin
Peninsula.

This youth group is being promoted as a group for all parishes on the Burin Peninsula. Once established in the larger parishes, we will be able to better promote the idea to the other parishes.

Because of the distance and cost involved in traveling to St. John's, it is not always possible to attend the meetings or activities planned by the S.A.L.T. youth group formed for the Archdiocese. Therefore, the youth group being formed, on the peninsula, will ensure that the seeds of ministry to our youth will continue to be sown.

Any youth on the Burin Peninsula, interesting in joining the youth group, or requiring further information, can contact their parish priest or the office at Sacred Heart Parish by calling 279-1625.