Dinner with archbishop gives Newfoundland youth spiritual hope

ST. JOHN’S, Nfld.-On a beautiful Sunday afternoon in March, Archbishop Martin Currie of St. John’s met with a group of young adults for “Dinner with the Archbishop” at Mary, Queen of the World parish in Mt. Pearl.

The meeting was an opportunity for the archbishop to get a first-hand look at what’s happening in the spiritual lives of 20- and 30-year-olds in the region.

This informal group consists of individuals from different ministries and fields of interest who, through  conversations after Mass beginning two years ago, decided to organize events and activities together. New members continue to join and although it started with just a few people, there are now close to 30.

The archbishop was pleased to discover that such a group existed after being invited by one of the members for this special event. The group wanted to make contact with the leader of the church in Newfoundland on a personal level to discuss plans and ideas for young people in the province.

The day started with Mass at St. Matthew’s Chapel in Mary, Queen of the World. Approximately 30 young people showed up and were responsible for all parts of the  liturgy, including music ministry, reading and serving at the altar.

The archbishop spoke of forgiveness during his homily and invited congregants to add their own insights. After Mass, the group ate a gourmet meal with Currie.

“It was spirit lifting to see professional young people committed to their faith, especially in our society where a lot of young people are not so committed. In fact, the majority are not,” Currie said.

The archbishop told the young people he believes they have a particular advantage in evangelization because they can “minister in their workplaces and the marketplace.”

“They are able to touch lives because many people are more open to them than to the archbishop.”

One of Currie’s main concerns is parents who do not pass on the faith to their children. "A common example is during sacramental preparation, there will be 50 children attending Mass, but the following week, only five will return,” he said.

He fears many parents are unable to pass on their faith because they are not well catechized. He sees this as a major concern in the province, and feels the young professionals can have a positive impact in this area.

The response from the young people in attendance was positive. Jennifer Huang said, “I thought last night was a night that inspired hope in my heart. Hope that a generation surrounded by a world full of sin may rise up, unite and return to the ways of the Lord.”
Andrew Montes, an engineer from Alberta, said, “I was proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with many young people, passionate men and women who share my Catholic faith.”

Eleri Dymond, the main organizer of the event, said, “I have heard nothing but good feedback.”

“It is really wonderful to have a bishop who was so interested in meeting young faithful adults,” she said. “He made an effort to come and spend this time with us despite driving for five to six hours earlier in the day.”

Dymond said there is a great deal of interest for another event of this sort.

“The event went over so well that the group has already started talking about having another,” she said.

(Lynch, 27, works in marketing and web site maintenance in St. John’s, Nfld.)