Month: April 2012

ANZAC Mass in Hawkes Bay

Challenge 2000 ANZAC Mass in Hawkes Bay a hit!

On Tuesday afternoon, April 24th, a team of 13 Challenge 2000 people – young and slightly older, jumped into two vehicles and set off for Hawkes Bay.
On ANZAC day, over 150 people, including the Challenge 2000 team and 50 local young people, came along for our first Challenge 2000 event in the Hawkes Bay. Special thanks must go out to Hastings priest, Fr Vince Onesi, who celebrated Mass along with Fr Chris Skinner sm, who directed music and sang his song ‘Sons of Gallipoli’.
The Mass included a great drama by the Challenge 2000 young people, songs in Maori, Tongan and English, and readings from local young people. Some people brought along family treasures including a naval hat from the Achilles, a saddle from WWI, photos, prayer books and flags. After Mass most people gathered to talk over a cup of tea and ANZAC biscuits. This is the start of a new venture for Challenge 2000 so watch this space!

Challenge’s New Venture

Challenge 2000 and the Catholic Diocese of Palmerston North have entered into a partnership to support, work with and develop young people in the Hawkes Bay Region.

This exciting new venture begins on April 23rd after a scoping exercise and much discussion.

The first youth event will be held on Anzac Day and provides an opportunity for youth to remember those who served and to commit to service in Aotearoa New Zealand today.

 “To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields”
by John McCrae, May 1915

 

 

ANZAC Remembrance

San Antonio Catholic Church, Eastbourne on Saturday 21st April at 5.30pm.

St Peter & Paul’s Catholic Church, Johnsonville on Sunday 22nd April at 10.30am.

This weekend we are holding special ANZAC liturgies, as specified above. We will be remembering and honouring our family and ancestors who served overseas in war or as peace-keepers in our Defence forces. If you would like to ring or email Therese with your family members name/s or place their names in our special ANZAC box in the church foyer then they will be mentioned during the Mass.

We would also like to create a prayerful display of any wartime photos, medals, and diaries. Ideally these things would be best dropped in to our Challenge 2000 Youth and Family Centre at 27 Dr Taylor Tce, next door to the parish during the coming week before the mass. We understand that these will be treasured items and we promise to treat them as such. Feel free to call 477 0045 or email theresekyne@challenge2000.org.nz with ways you would like to contribute.

 

 

2012 has started with a bang!

2012 has started with a bang and it’s hard to believe that we are in April!

Life at Challenge 2000 has been its usual mix of planned chaos, adventure, determination and innovation.

We have an incredibly talented team of staff and volunteers who never cease to amaze me with their dedication to the young people, families and the vision of Challenge 2000.

We are proud of our young people who have begun new adventures this year – starting training courses, finding paid employment, successfully completing court orders, attaining their learner drivers licence, and making other positive decisions for their future. What a privilege it is to celebrate with them in these achievements!

The issue of ‘vulnerable children’ has been very much on our minds as we prepared a submission for the government green paper. It is particularly significant, as we are receiving an influx of referrals for young people who are in need of intensive support to get them through tough times. We await a further period of constructive dialogue on this issue, and look forward to being part of the solutions!

Sally Blackler, our LSV social worker in Burnham, is currently walking from Auckland to Christchurch to raise money for Canteen! Sally is walking in memory of her late husband Nathan, who passed away from cancer in 2007. Please read about Sally’s inspiring story on www.sistersinarms.co.nz .

Looking ahead, we have some exciting events coming up in the next few months, and we would love your support. Please keep an eye out on our website for details of our annual Quiz night, Clean Up Johnsonville Day and a variety of other activities!

Noho ora mai
Bridget