Inspirations: Would-be pilgrims' progress

Sydney
10 February 2002

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Inspirations: Would-be pilgrims' progress

Inspirations: Would-be pilgrims' progress

Members of the youth group of St Thomas Becket parish, Lewisham, with Fr Michael Butler (back row, right)

By Marilyn Kerjean

"In his Imitation, Thomas à Kempis said that no one returns from a pilgrimage any better," says Fr Michael Butler.
He doesn't entirely agree; in fact, he is supporting members of the youth group in his parish of St Thomas Becket, Lewisham, in their efforts to launch themselves off to the World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto in July.
There is one condition, though; they have to spend several months in spiritual preparation before they go. "Otherwise it's just tourism … to a big event," Fr Michael says.
Just how the youth group is taking up the spiritual and financial challenge makes an amazing tale.
Last year virtually no youth were involved with the parish. Then came parish co-ordinator Karin Ramsden.
She organised 70 volunteers to roster for 22-hour Eucharistic adorations in the church, from Friday nights until Saturday evenings. Among the things they prayed for was the youth of the parish.
"We did that for about five months (then) it was amazing to see them all come out of the woodwork," says Karin, 33.
Soon the parish had a group of 17 young adults (aged 14-33) who were organising a youth Mass each Sunday and attending youth group meetings and bible study classes organised by Karin each week.
Three have just joined the Legion of Mary.
All have made a commitment to learn more about their Catholic faith.
And each spends four hours every week in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.
Karin, who has been a Catholic for only four years, says: "They are learning to 'be still and know I am God' and now they're really starting to fall in love with their faith."
Clayton Diack, the eldest in the group, can attest to that.
"A lot of people in the group all come from the same place; we've all come through conversion," he says.
Last October Clayton saw an advertisement in The Catholic Weekly for the Eucharistic adoration and felt "compelled, in the middle of my Saturday just to turn up".
"I had just come back to the faith about two years ago," he says. "And so I was seeking some people my own age that I could just link up with."
Clayton and Karin have watched the younger members grow in confidence and even improve aspects of their lives as they spend more time in parish activities and prayer.
Now on fire with new zeal and the youth festival just over five months away, they are determined to raise the substantial funds needed to travel to Toronto with the Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Pell.
A parish bush dance raised $1,000 but they wanted to do something more meaningful.
Hence the Eucharistic marathon. "For four hours before the Blessed Sacrament each week they will pray for people (who could) sponsor them maybe $5 a week," says Karin.
"A couple of them were really off track and they say their lives have changed. It's such a blessing.
"So I really want to support these kids because if someone believes in them, if they can get sponsorship and can get (to World Youth Day), then they know they've got the backing (of their faith community).
"I feel like they will come on fire and then I want to see them come back and to start their own youth groups."
To support the Eucharistic Marathon, send a cheque to the Parish Co-ordinator, St Thomas Becket Youth Group, 3 Thomas St, Lewisham 2049, or call Karin Ramsden on 0414 830 412.