Hexham and Newcastle Diocesan Youth Ministry Team

AN EVENING WITH THE STOKLES

To say that the evening we spent with the Stokle family was an inspirational one would be an understatement.

On 17th April, Tony and Anne Stokle and their son Declan came to the Youth Village to share with the team the story of their astounding work on the Thai-Burma Border.

Tony shared with us some history and some of the politics surrounding the issues in Burma. A teacher in St Robert’s Comprehensive Washington, Tony flies out during the six weeks holidays to Thailand to spend his time off helping to train teachers and educate some of the utterly desperate refugees from Burma.

Anne then spoke about the health issues that people suffer in Burma, Anne is a community nurse who travels out a few weeks before Tony to help with teaching basic health and hygiene. Anne also helps with medical issues such as helping those who have had limbs blown off by land mines and those who suffer from extreme malnutrition, in some cases whose bones have actually become deformed and bent due to lack of vitamins and minerals.

After being greatly disturbed but also moved by Tony and Anne’s sharing, Declan shared some of his story. Declan is a Year 10 student at St Mary’s R.C. Comprehensive and has been joining his parents on their journeys to Burma from a very young age.

Declan told us of the many things he has seen and done in Burma. He has a whole file of letters which he has written to MPs explaining the horrific conditions in which the people of Burma live and to ask for help.

The response he gets is never the one he and the Burmese people need; however, that does not stop the enthusiasm and passion of Declan as he continues to fight for basic human rights. Our prayers will be with them all as they embark for Burma yet again this summer.

It is astonishing to hear of the lives one family have changed and it offers us absolute hope, a hope that we can all actually make a difference in the small actions we do with love. As Saint Teresa of Avila stated “Christ has no body now on earth but ours, no hands but ours, no feet but ours.”

If you would like to support the Stokle family’s work, there is a concert for Burma being held on the 10th May 2008 7.30pm –11.00pm at St Charles Parish Centre, Church Road, Gosforth: adults £6 children £3. The concert features guest speakers from Burma and music by members of St Robert’s School.

RETURN VISIT WITH A TEAM APPROACH

March 12th saw over 60 participants gathering at the Youth Village for an evening workshop led by Stan Cordero, Director of Youth Ministry in Santa Rosa Diocese, California.

On his second visit to our diocese and, building on his workshop of last year, the theme of the session was ‘bringing youth and parish life together’.

For this to happen well, a team approach is best or, as Stan put it, “the more heads there are in the parish working together, the more possibilities open up”. The ‘team’ approach was further enhanced within the workshop itself as Stan invited four young adults to work alongside him sharing their personal stories of parish youth ministry Californian style. Melissa Rodriguez, a parish youth leader, had travelled with Stan on this visit while Sheila, Ben and Chris are currently members of YMT.

YOUNG LEADERS IN OUR MIDST

In many parts of the diocese and in different ways, young people are taking up leadership roles. Plans are now underway at the Youth Village to offer training and formation in leadership to young people. In March a group of young catechists from Jarrow and a group of young leaders from Newton Aycliffe met with the Youth Ministry Team to share ideas for a short ‘pilot’ programme which will be taking place soon. Any young people who would be interested in this training are invited to contact Sarah at the Youth Village on 01207 592244 or email sarah.lourie@ymt.org.

SR. INGKIE JOINS TEAM

The Youth Ministry Team has been enriched recently by the addition of Sr. Ingkie Taboclaon from St. Mary’s Convent, Ebchester.

Sr. Ingkie, who came from the Philippines, has come on board to help with retreats at the Village, said, “It was Bishop Kevin who gave the sisters the idea of being involved in the work at the Youth Village at a time when we were seeking ways to work in the wider community. We think it is especially important to be involved with young people, many of whom who may never have the opportunity to see a religious sister.”

Sarah Lourie, Retreat Coordinator said, “Sr. Ingkie is a fantastic presence around the Village. We really value her enthusiasm and energy as she works with young people sharing something of her story and experience.”