“Our Journey of Faith”
On Sunday 21st September it was time to celebrate a group of young people who for the last 15 weeks had dedicated themselves to being part of the Odyssey journey.
The young people have explored topics on Relationships and Communication, Team building and Community, Social Justice and Citizenship, Values and Ethics, Dreaming big and life choices, Spirituality and Faith in Aotearoa New Zealand.
On Sunday two of the young people spoke about their journey, this is a snippet of what one had to say…
“who goes before you on your way, to seek out a place for you to encamp, in fire by night and cloud by day, to show you the way in which you should go”
This passage describes someone leading the way for others to find shelter through anything, which is exactly what the Challenge 2000 Odyssey Youth Programme has done for me. They have lead me to a place of understanding about poverty, relationships, war, global warming and much more giving me the information to be knowledgeable and able to make a difference whether it be big or small. If there’s one thing that I’ve learnt at this Odyssey youth group is every small bit of change is enough to add up to one big change.
Special congratulations to Morgana and Tyler who for the past couple of months have also been preparing to be confirmed. They have chosen to take this next step in their faith and alongside their Sponsors, Families and all Odyssey participants were confirmed at Mass by Archbishop John Dew. Thank you to Sister Jude who has taken the time to prepare Morgana and Tyler.
Thank you to all the families and friends of these young people who have supported them on their journey and were there to celebrate the graduation of these amazing young people. We also thank Archbishop John Dew for celebrating this special mass with us and for all he does for the young people.
Odyssey 2014 has ended but it is just the beginning for all the young people involved.
Mareko Ennor’s Speech on Graduating
Deuteronomy 1:33
“who goes before you on your way, to seek out a place for you to encamp, in fire by night and cloud by day, to show you the way in which you should go”
In the many weeks that I have partaken in the Challenge 2000 Odyssey Youth Programme I have enjoyed every moment of it, taking in the knowledge the leaders have passed on to me and trying to apply into the correct places of my life.
The Odyssey was originally a poem written by Homer which spoke of the hero, Odysseus, on his journey home. Within his journey home he learnt much from experiences and here at our Odyssey Youth Group we intended to do the same thing.
Each week we learnt at least one new value that we could try to up-hold but not in a boring way but in a fun and motivational way that us Youth members enjoyed doing.
Earlier this year I took part in a fundraiser for the Solomon Islands which involved living in a house made of cardboard boxes and living with no technology. This was my first ever involvement with Challenge 2000 and doing this with Challenge has left me with no regrets. After that fundraiser challenge I took part in a Leadership Camp with them and that was possibly one of the greatest experiences of my life so far. After these two awesome experiences with Challenge 2000, hearing about a weekly youth group run by them excited me immensely. My first Sunday with the Odyssey Youth Group was when we went to Laser Force. At the time I thought that we were just playing a game and having fun but when we later re gathered as a group, we discussed what was hard and ‘challenge’ ing about Laser Force. This made me understand that this youth group was going to be knowledgeable as well as a good time with mates made along the way.
The passage I read before from Deuteronomy said,
“who goes before you on your way, to seek out a place for you to encamp, in fire by night and cloud by day, to show you the way in which you should go”
This passage describes someone leading the way for others to find shelter through anything, which is exactly what the Challenge 2000 Odyssey Youth Programme has done for me. They have lead me to a place of understanding about poverty, relationships, war, global warming and much more giving me the information to be knowledgeable and able to make a difference whether it be big or small. If there’s one thing that I’ve learnt at this Odyssey Youth Group is every small bit of change is enough to add up to one big change.
With people like Heath and Nicole as well all the other workers for Challenge change is possible. Events, Camps and Odyssey are all roads that are paved for us by Challenge 2000 to help us grow and move forward in our lives. I feel as though I speak on behalf of all of the people who partook in the Odyssey Programme in saying that I feel as though I have been guided through my journey to a new me, a better me, with the guidance from true leaders. The Odyssey Group has enlightened me to a brighter future and will hopefully further guide me throughout the journey of LIFE.
oday a group of Gap Year Students attended the Australian Memorial Dedication at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park with Kitty McKinley.
Parliament and also Service men and women. The service started with the march on, of both the New Zealand and Australian Defence Forces, a moving beginning to the ceremony, followed by the welcome. John Key and Tony Abbott both spoke very well and gave their own meaning on the special friendship we share with Australia, as allies in war – mentioning that this friendship doesn’t always extend to the sports field!
The memorial was beautiful, a fitting piece to remember the soldiers of Australia who also laid their lives on the line for us, the future generations. The ceremony then continued on with a blessing and a prayer to protect the memorial and officially open it. Overall the experience was amazing, it wasa privilege to stand side by side with our fellow Australians physically and spiritually to remember those who have gone before us.
and hear the vibrations of the bombs and guns. There were also windows that had videos playing showing different soldiers experiences inside the trenches. These were our ancestors, family members…a lot to think about!
Someone said that children spell LOVE …
