THINKfast 2003

For twenty-five hours, nine young people gathered at St. Gabriel’s Parish on the weekend of March.22-23, 2003 to fast, pray, play, learn, and reflect on the state of our world and our role in transforming society. Their goal was to go without food in order that others might eat.

Participants were kept busy with numerous activities such as the Global Facts Quiz Show and the crazy Land Grab Game which helped raise their awareness. They also spent time learning more about Catholic Social Teaching and the Gospel call for justice. But beyond the learning, there were also moments of reflection during which participants spent quiet time praying and journaling. The fast ended after Sunday mass with a potluck meal that was never more appreciated!

Cory, Dorothy and Daniel make their THINKfast journals, in which they will record their thoughts and reflections over the course of the fast.	Dorothy and Anne-Marie do some quick math as part of the "Who Wants to Be a Global Citizen?" game show.
Anne-Marie makes a poster to represent one of the seven aspects of Catholic Social Teaching.	Daniel, Cory and Dorothy compile the young people's creed for a better world.
The fast is over, hallelujah!

The young people raised over $400 for Development and Peace, and the money is still coming in. A special word of praise should be given to Jeffrey, who co-organised and led the weekend with grace and style... truly a job well done!

At the end of the event, participants took a moment to reflect on their twenty-five hours together. The state of our world is harsh. The challenges are many. But, as Christians, we are called to hope. To paraphrase Bishop Oscar Romero, it’s not about being "anti" anybody, but about being the builders of a great affirmation. With God, all things are possible: Death is transformed into life. This, we believe. And so, as their first step toward this transformation of our world, the young people of THINKfast 2003 offer you their creed for our world:

• The world had the capacity to change and we all should take an active role in that change.
• Peace is a realistic possibility.
• We are all made in the image and likeness of God; our conduct should strive to reflect this perfectly.
• We all have human rights and we have responsibilities to one another.
• The world is one community – the way we treat the weakest among us is a reflection of how we value life.
• The Earth is for all people throughout all time; we must respect it as such.
• We must strive for the extinction of hunger and poverty.
• People should spend more time with people than things.
• We should not take our relationships for granted.
• Families must spend more quality time together.
• Safety is a right for all people.
• Violence cannot stop violence.
• We all have the right to pray, to be educated, to contribute to society, to express our ideas and thoughts, to laugh, love and rejoice in life, and to be free from persecution and prejudice.
• We must be generous with all peoples of the world.
• Workers must be compensated appropriately.
• We must feed the world – both Spirit and Body.
• Land and livelihood must not be forced away.
• A Christian is called to Hope and to Love.  We seek God in all people.  Amen!

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