Prepared by Mary Wahome, Kenya
Members Present
Joe(USA),Alloys(Kenya),Juma(Uganda),Ashiknaz(Pakistan),Gerard(Kenya),Cecilia(Kenya),Faith(Kenya),Valentine(Kenya),Stephen(Kenya),Brenda(Uganda),Mary(Kenya),Collins(Kenya),Aloysius(Uganda)Leonard(Tanzania), Arslan(Pakistan).
The gathering began with a word of prayer from Mary. She then welcomed all the members into the meeting and the new members and invited Alloys to continue with the day’s agenda.
The main agenda was to evaluate the progress of the Young Seekers gatherings throughout the year. Members were asked to give their opinions on their experience with the Online Young Adult Seekers SCC.
Cecilia (Kenya) She has grown spiritually and met and interacted with some new people thanks to the group. She is also proud to be a Catholic.
Stephen (Kenya) Through the Young Seekers, he has learned a lot about Small Christian Communities and their importance. He has also been able to identify himself more as a Catholic member.
Brenda (Uganda) From the Young Seekers gatherings, she has learned a lot, the major one being boosting her confidence and that through the platform, she can express herself better, as this is where people meet and connect.
Faith (Kenya) The group has helped her interact with various people. It has also opened her mind about the church, especially the Small Christian Communities. She thanked everyone for participating and being cooperative.
Ashiknaz (Pakistan) He got a lot of chances to work for his community and state. He has a lot of testimonies that he’s never experienced before. He hopes that the members will be a game changer in the coming year in their communities.
Staicy (Kenya) She has heard how people can navigate their lives and welfare through the group. She has also gotten friends who constantly check up on her. Via the young seekers, she has gained a home and a family base setting. She has also gotten nourished spiritually. Her main highlight of the year was getting her faith back to where it was before. She’s been able to experience God differently via people’s testimonies.
Arslan (Pakistan) Urged the members to set targets for next year. He has also gained experience from people sharing their views.
Joe (USA) He reminded the members in East Africa that in 2023 they will be celebrating the Golden Jubilee of Small Christian Communities being a pastoral priority in 9 countries of East Africa. He also encouraged the young people to continue having a voice for them to be heard in October 2023 during the Synod meeting.
He also mentioned the World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal, August 1 – 7, 2023. He urged for proper representation and that the interview questions would be sent out to those interested in attending the WYD.
Collins (Kenya) He said it was a thumbs-up for the unity shown. He also stated that improvements were necessary when it came to report writing. He called for more exposure for young people to share their views and opinions. He requested us to get more young people involved from different countries. He also commended the members on the unity shown in writing the letters. It was commendable.
Mary (Kenya) She was asked to give the testimony she gave out during the December 20 webinar that Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers organized. The YouTube version of the webinar will be available soon. It was based on how a small Christian Community has benefited her as an individual. She stated:
-SCC is a 2nd family and home to her.
-It has helped in catering to some of her needs.
-Through the SCC, she has grown in her faith, mainly through bible sharing.
-She has learned some leadership skills, such as confidence.
-She has also learned how to interact with different kinds of people with different personalities, likes and dislikes.
-SCC is a home away from home.
-Through the young seekers, she has gained a more profound knowledge of the roles and importance of an SCC.
Juma (Uganda) He was also requested to repeat his testimony during the December 20 webinar that the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers organized. He stated that:
-Young seekers gave him a sense of belonging.
-Through the group, he has gained spiritual growth.
-Young seekers have helped him boost his confidence.
-She realized that young people’s voices could be heard through the group.
-She has also gained different ideas, which is a result of the different guests that are usually invited.
-He has made friends.
-He has gained some communication skills through facilitating the meetings, which is also for all the members.
-Young seekers have given people many different kinds of opportunities.
Resolutions for 2023 gatherings
-The members agreed to be putting on their videos.
-The members also agreed to be joining the meeting 5 minutes to time, as some of them were late to join.
-They all agreed that the time is right for each one of them hence no need to change.
-The members were urged to be connecting from a quiet place.
-The members were urged to be active in the Facebook page of the group.
World Youth Day
-It will be held in Lisbon, Portugal from the 1st to 7th of August, 2023. There are sponsors who are willing to sponsor some young people on conditions that:
-One must be a committed member of the young seekers.
-One to have joined the December 20 webinar or take time to watch the YouTube version once it’s available.
– Questionnaire will be provided for the members to answer them, as the sponsorship is open to all young seekers. It will contain questions like:
1)Why you want to go to Portugal?
2)After you’ve attended the WYD, what do you intend to do afterwards?
Conclusion
Joe advised the members to put their plans into action. He also asked the members to comment on the December 20 webinar.
Alloys asked the members to write a personal testimony on the transformations the young seekers community has brought into their lives and the local communities they serve. They also shared ideas on where they would want the group to be in the coming year. These reports are to be sent by the 29th of December 2022. They are to include: your name, email and where you come from.
The meeting ended with a word of prayer from Mary.
