OCEANIA/ISOLE SALOMONE - Marianist Missionaries contribute to formation for 200 young Solomons evangelisers

Friday, 2 September 2005

Honiara (Fides Service) - A formation seminar for young catechists and evangelisers was organised recently by the Marianist Missionaries in Honiara, Solomon Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Some 200 enthusiastic young people from parishes all over the region gathered for the seminar at Holy Cross church: “Sometimes we young people are changeable. This seminar reminded us that spiritual values must be the foundation of life”, the participants said.
The seminar was the concluding event in courses of formation offered over past few months in different places aimed at giving young people the opportunity to increase their knowledge of Holy Scripture, learn how to pray and how to spread the message of Christ in the third millennium.
The seminar was given by Marianist Fathers Titmothy Driscoll and Michael Mac Award from the United States who came to spend a few months in Solomon Islands to offer a contribution in the field of education. The seminar reflected on the themes “Stay with us Lord” in keeping with this Year of the Eucharist and “We have come to adore Him” the theme of the recent World Youth Day held in August in Germany.
Besides offering spiritual formation the seminar aimed to develop young people’s awareness that their service as catechists and evangelisers is both a gift and the responsibility.
The identity of the young Catholic was also a subject for discussion to the participants responded with original contributions. The workshop also helped build communion among the young participants coming from different islands. “Inter-action and local community building is crucial in the process of rebuilding Catholic schools in Solomons”, said the organisers who hope to train qualified adult Christian teachers to teach in Catholic schools.
The charisma of the Marianists is in fact education of youth especially in mission territories. This aspect is most important in Solomon Islands where the Church is giving special attention to formation of local clergy, religious and a competent Catholic laity.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 2/9/2005 righe 26 parole 273)


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