It often happens that a Retreat, Youth Jamboree, Youth 2000 Retreat, etc., stands on its own and doesn't send much ripples - the participants have good memories and simply look to another one next year.
Youthquake is a spiritual Retreat that brings young catholics together across the Federation for "spiritual socializing" - as one of the youths expressed. It is something spiritual and it brings people together to know each other and to pray and learn with each other (group interaction is essential).
Youthquake sends ripples in the form of youth-aftershocks or tsunamis -(if the setting for the event is beach or sea). These are held each in different community and prepared in different forms and different themes by the youth of various catholic Communities in the Federation: Basseterre, Molineux, Sandy Point/Old Road and Nevis
The YOUTHQUAKE - weekend retreat is directed by specially invited "experts": a priest, religious sister or lay person/team, etc. (Youthquake 2007 hopefully will be facilitated by a team of young people "Hard as Nails" form New York and Barbados)
However, the series of Youth-Aftershocks and a Youth-Tsunami is envisaged as youth ministering to youth with a very little help of adults. Youth plan it and youth execute it. Nevertheless, there should be an interaction between the youth of various communities in planning the events so that each has a different form and theme and does not become repetitious (and for some youth - boring). The YOUTH-AFTERSHOCKS (or YOUTH TSUNAMIS) are held on weekends, no more than three-hour event on Friday evening, Saturday (morning or afternoon) or Sunday of the consequtive weekends after the YOUTHQUAKE, each one in a different catholic community of the Federation. This follow up is essential!!!!
This is in order not to loose the momentum of the YOUTHQUAKE
Youthquake could be an annual event in the Federation, always in October and November so that the series of aftershocks could end either before advent or definitely before Christmas.
It is hoped that Youthquake and the Aftershocks could bring the catholic youth closer together on our islands, build new friendships and faith-support groups, surface and develop new youth leaders and lay foundations for youth groups and youth ministry in the parishes and communities.
This is just my humble idea how the Youthquake could work - Please kindly send your own ideas and comments - I definitely publish them and post them on this Blog
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