Recently I attended a wonderful morning reflection on the issues of charity and justice with Bishop Donald Hying. Over 200 people from around the Archdiocese of Milwaukee gathered at St. James Parish in Menomonee Falls for the second installment of workshops put together by the Social Justice Ministry of the Archdioceses and neighboring parishes.
Leading off the morning of formation, Bishop Hying made a point of emphasizing that as Catholics we must have a burning passion for the Gospel and answer the call to bring the Good News to others. Quoting the 1971 Synod of Bishops, Bishop Hying recalled that, "working for peace and justice is constitutive (meaning that it is an integral part) of the Gospel." This should be the mission that everyone should work towards.
There were so many interesting workshops to attend during the morning that it was hard to decide which one I should sit in on especially since they were all going on at the same time.
Workshop A: St. Vincent DePaul "Coming Together to Get Ahead"
Workshop B: Recruiting Volunteers
Workshop C: Starting a Human Concerns Committee
Workshop D: Inspiring People in Your Parish With Catholic Social Teaching
Workshop E: JustFaith- Helping Individuals Experience Conversion
Workshop F: Moving From Charity to Justice
Workshop G: Faithful Citizenship in Polarized Times
Workshop H: Youth on/in Mission
One of the things I had been bring to prayer long before attending this event was having an interest in mission work or going on mission trips. Naturally I wanted to attend the Youth on/in Mission workshop hosted by Directors of Youth Ministry, Claire Hoffmeyer and Bryan Ramsey at St. James, St. John Vianney and Good Shepherd parishes.
Both directors were on fire for the faith and genuinely wanted to make a difference in young people's lives by giving them opportunities for building up communities, volunteering time and service and designing and developing mission trips for faith growth. Both Claire and Bryan explained some of the encouraging aspects of their work with youth as well as some of the challenges that come with it.
I ask that you please keep Claire, Bryan, all youth ministers and young adult coordinators in your prayers as they continue to work hard to further instill the faith in our young people.
The next Morning of Formation for Charity and Justice with Bishop Hying will be held in Fond du Lac with more details to follow on the finalized date to follow.
If you wish to contact Claire and/or Bryan with questions, information or a desire to help them in their mission please see below.
Bryan Ramsey Director of Youth Ministry: St James & Good Shepherd Parishes Menomonee Falls
ramseyb@archmil.org or 262-253-2238
Claire Hoffmeyer
Associate Director of Youth Minstry
St. John Vianney Parish Brookfield, WI
262-796-3944 or claireh@stjohnv.org
