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Introducing Catholic Youth Parramatta's
ELEMENTS

“Elements” is a new online initiative by Catholic Youth Parramatta which offers content for youth ministers to use in their respective parishes, schools and movements. It will be distributed monthly.
We look forward to seeing how Elements grows with you. If you wish to discuss the content of this initiative further, contact Qwayne on qwayne.guevara@parracatholic.org.

“For me to be a saint means to be myself. Therefore the problem of sanctity and salvation is in fact the problem of finding out who I am and of discovering my true self.”
― Thomas Merton

Your Authentic Self: Who Am I?

Young people today struggle with realising who they truly are: a beloved child of God. The struggle manifests itself in different ways and can often lead to despair, anxiety, loneliness and fear . It can stifle a young person from becoming fully alive in the faith and prevent a joyful enthusiasm for the life God has given them.

We are called to seek our truest selves in order to live out the will of God for our lives. Without prayer, deepening our knowledge of faith, participating in the life of the Church and society and surrounding ourselves with encouraging people, it will be difficult to find peace and to experience the freedom from knowing who we are called to be.

The following resources explore different aspects of this topic from different perspectives. We hope these might assist you to develop a session that engages your youth and encourages them to not be afraid of being real!

Reflections and Prayers

Prayer Card "To Be My True Self" - A prayer card to share created by Young Catholics
"The World Was Wrong: Finding Self-Worth in God" - A LifeTeen Reflection
"I Found Myself When I Looked for God" - A LifeTeen Reflection
"Thomas Merton on the True Self" - A Reflection
"New Seeds of Contemplation" - Thomas Merton writings that can be used in different ways, especially with youth leaders. Tip: Learn more about Thomas Merton.
Know Thyself: 10 Reflections from St. Teresa of Avila on the Spiritual Life - St. Teresa of Avila, one of the great doctors of the Church, wrote some of the most beautiful and animated descriptions of the intricacies of the spiritual life.
The Temperament God Gave You: The Classic Key to Knowing Yourself, Getting Along with Others, and Growing Closer to the Lord - A well known way to help you get to know yourself.

Videos

Do You Present Your True Self to Others? - A video message from Fr Mike
Tearing Down Walls - A talk given by Sarah Swafford
"Who Am I?" - Discovering Your True Identity by Recognizing Jesus - Fr. Ian VanHeusen

Lessons

Self Image - A basic session outline by Ministry to Youth
Learning through movies: a resource that helps youth get to know themselves through film - John Paul The Great Catholic University

Holy Role Models
Blessed Pier Giorgio Michelangelo Frassati was born in Turin, Italy on April 6, 1901. He developed a deep spiritual life which he never hesitated to share with his friends. The Holy Eucharist and the Blessed Virgin were the two poles of his world of prayer. He is a patron saint of World Youth Day and his Feast Day is on 4th July.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BLESSED PIER GIORGIO FRASSATI

For the first time in Western Sydney!
Join us for our 2nd LIFTED Live of 2018 with Catholic singer, song-writer & musician Gen Bryant. Known for her successful theme song submission for ACYF in 2015, she will lead us in a beautiful & exciting night of worship, drama, dance & testimony with the CYP Team.

Prayer
Prayer is an essential part of your meetings. In this section we suggest a prayer or a creative way to engage in prayer to encourage young people to deepen their prayer lives. This may include songs, guided prayers or meditations. This month we share with you a song that we played at our recent Lifted Retreat 2018. This cover by Housefires can be used to introduce a youth meeting or as a closing song to wrap up your session. The lyrics speak about recognising the beauty in our brokenness.

LISTEN NOW! CLICK HERE

It's now been almost a decade since World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney!

Tell us in 200 words or less what was your contribution, experience and/or lifelong memory of that incredible week? Please upload your favourite photo from the event along with your story to be featured on the CYP Facebook page throughout the Diocese from July 16-20 2018.

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Catholic Youth Parramatta – 51-59 Allawah Street, Blacktown NSW 2148

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Catholic Youth Parramatta - Agency for Youth - Catholic Diocese of Parramatta · 51-59 Allawah Street · Blacktown, NSW 2148 · Australia

Introducing Catholic Youth Parramatta's ELEMENTS

Your Authentic Self: Who Am I?

Introducing Catholic Youth Parramatta's
ELEMENTS