< Back | A to Z Index | Search | Home
YTM Youth Letter 2006
The YTM Youth Letter 2006 was written by 21 Catholic teens from across the United States who attended the Youth in Theology and Ministry Summer Institute at Saint John's University for two weeks in 2005 and 2006. The letter was modeled on the yearly letter written by the Taize Christian community in France. Its purpose is two fold: 1) to give “voice” to young Catholics and 2) to engage others in reflecting on God, religion, and every day life.
In preparing to write this letter the teens read and reflected on the 2006 letter from Taize, studied theology with college theology professors for four weeks, participated in community service, completed a parish service-justice project, and experienced a wide variety of Christian prayer. Drawing from these experiences we asked our Catholic teens: What do you have to say to the Church and to the world?
The following YTM Youth Letter 2006 is their response. It is a voice of the young church. It is their common voice and message for the world.
Jeff Kaster
YTM Director
July 27, 2006
We can Make the World a Better Place
We, the youth of Youth in Theology and Ministry,¹ believe the world can be a better place and that we have the power to make that change as youth, as a church community, and as a world. As an age group we are overlooked, underestimated, and exploited. As a church community we are misinterpreted and struggle with diversity and equality. As a world we are hurting and the majority seems to have given up hope on important necessities such as peace, solidarity, and justice. As members of all three of these communities, we feel that now is the time to take action concerning these challenges. Because we are made by a loving God, we strive to love all creation. We believe in the goodness of people and how we can work together to better the world. The youth are essential in the development of faith, religion, and society for the present and the future. It is our calling as members of the global society to cast away stereotypes and embrace differences. Through this, we can unite and achieve solidarity.
“Solidarity is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good.”² By establishing solidarity, we will rid ourselves of the discrimination we face based on belief and circumstances at birth, allowing God’s reign to become more prevalent in the world. We want to establish compassion and empathy towards all of humanity in the way that Jesus taught us: “Truly, I tell you, just as you do to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you do to me,” (Matthew 25:40). We must thus aid all of humanity in the struggle for equality. It is our passion to come together to grow and unite, but always respect the sacred truths of faith. We seek to preserve the sacred truths, while keeping in mind that we are a changing and expanding world.
We cannot accomplish world unity without guidance from God. Our creator gives us the Lord’s Prayer to not only unify the Christian Church, but to also demonstrate the unity we would like to see throughout the world:
Our Father, Who art in Heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy Will be done,
On Earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
The word “Our” in this context expresses the world’s most ardent desire of unity. In this one word we articulate the unwavering presence of God to all: God is not just the Christians’ God, but rather the God of all creation. This prayer also addresses our desire for feeding the hungry, bringing the reign of God to earth, and forgiving each other. Through God, we can attain global solidarity. Thus, we must discern and follow our vocations.
Vocation is finding “where a person’s deep gladness meets the world’s deep need.”³ In order to understand the world’s deep need, we need to understand our true selves. Once we find our true selves, we discover who we need to be and how we are called to help the world. We must not let outside influences tell us who we are, but discover who God created us to be. When we suppress our true selves we are in essence creating a rockier and more challenging pathway. In giving ourselves to God freely and openly, we enter into a fullness of relationship with God and are satisfied in our lives devoted to service of God and God’s children. We need to preserve the values and beliefs that we hold so dear in our heart. We should follow the Lord in the words He spoke. "If you want to be perfect [in God’s eyes], go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven. Then come, follow me," (Matthew 19:21). Following God is the ultimate challenge yet it is the most rewarding path.
Some of the greatest challenges that humans have address the youth, the wealthy, and the world. Youth are constantly being underestimated, despite their capability of making a difference in the world when they come together. The world must help youth go farther than the extent of their stereotypes, and accept the challenge to inspire, empower, and guide them. This way, we are creating better leaders both for the present and the future.
Secondly, people who possess the most have the responsibility to be leaders in their communities. “In this shrinking world, everyone is affected and everyone is responsible, although those most responsible are often the least affected.” 4 Because of this, the richest in our world should do the most to improve the lives of others. Riches come in many forms, including material and spiritual wealth, as well as talents and opportunities.
Lastly, the time has come to utilize these riches that God has bestowed upon us. To paraphrase Pope John Paul II, “Rise up friends, use your gifts.” We, as God’s creation, are called to stand up against the injustices prevalent in this chaotic world. Communicating and taking action will go hand in hand in satisfying the cry of injustice.
We cannot stop injustice nor can we sustain our faith alone. Only with God’s work on earth can faith and people’s lives move forward. Before we are able to initiate change in our world, we must first initiate change in ourselves. In secular society, where people strive for acceptance, we need to voice our opinions and beliefs and not suppress them. Remember that everyone has something to teach humanity, including the youth, who are the heart and the soul of the present world as well as that to come.
© Saint John’s School of Theology•Seminary Youth in Theology and Ministry Program. June 23, 2006.
Garrett Ahlers, Holy Redeemer, Marshall, Minnesota; Thomas Anderson, St. Albert the Great, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin; Philip Bartley, St. Joseph the Worker, Maple Grove, Minnesota; Meghan Bill, St. Michael, Palmer, Alaska; Theresa Cho, St. Anthony’s, Anchorage, Alaska; Becca Creger, St. Odillia’s, Shoreview, Minnesota; Andrea Enzler, St. Odillia’s, Shoreview, Minnesota; Dan Geiger, Holy Name of Jesus, Medina, Minnesota; Melissa Gross, Newman Center, St. Cloud, Minnesota; Sam Harvey, Church of St. Paul, Ham Lake, Minnesota; Andree LaFrance, St. Michael, Palmer, Alaska; Kurt Marsh, Holy Name of Jesus, Medina, Minnesota; Shawn Pili, St. Anthony’s, Anchorage, Alaska; Sarah Prather, St. Albert the Great, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin; Josh Reidell, St. Anthony’s, Anchorage, Alaska; Bridget Reilly, St. Stephen’s, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Kyle Shearer, Holy Redeemer, Marshall, Minnesota; Gretchen Sumabat, St. Anthony’s, Anchorage, Alaska; Mara Syman, St. Stephen’s, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Jerad Timmerman, Holy Redeemer, Marshall, Minnesota; and Avery Tooley, St. Peter’s, Platte, South Dakota
1 The Youth in Theology and Ministry program (YTM) is a summer camp for Catholic youth sponsored by Saint John’s School of Theology•Seminary, Collegeville, MN. We come together to learn about community, leadership, faith and serving others. This letter was completed June 23, 2006.
2 USCCB. Renewing the Earth. “A New Solidarity.” Digital Wisdom. 1995.
3 Palmer, Parker. Let Your Life Speak. Jossey-Bass, 2000. pg 7.
4 USCCB. Renewing the Earth. “The Planetary Common Good.” Digital Wisdom. 1995.
Youth in Theology and Ministry Program
Saint John's School of Theology·Seminary
Box 7288, Collegeville, Minnesota 56321