JESUS YOUTH A missionary movement at the service

JESUS YOUTH A missionary movement at the service of the Church

Who we are § An international Catholic youth movement with a charismatic spirituality. Not a community or an organization. § Wide network of small but strong fellowship groups of youth from different Catholic rites.

Genesis § Began in Kerala, a State in the southern most tip of India. § Wave of Catholic Charismatic Renewal swept through the country in 1976 -77 § Gave rise to many youth groups across Kerala § In 1985 - the International Year of the Youth, these groups came together for a conference “Jesus Youth ‘ 85

Genesis. . . § These prayer groups came to be known as “Jesus Youth” § Jesus Youth Prayer groups started sprouting in college campuses, parishes, Schools, hostels, hospitals, etc. § A unique Jesus Youth lifestyle evolved § Ministries came into being

Going National § Gradual re-locating from Kerala in search of better career prospects, studies and other life situations. § Prayer groups and active JY ministries started mushrooming in the various parts of India. § 1998 – Jesus Youth National Team formed for better coordination

Going Global § Jesus Youth migrate to different countries around the world in search of jobs, etc. § Prayer Groups and cells slowly established in various countries § Today JY is active in USA, UK, UAE, Canada, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Italy, Germany, Thailand, Korea, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand etc § 2002 - Jesus Youth International Team formed to co-ordinate activities § First JY International Team meeting in Rome in September 2003

Spirituality The six pillars of Jesus Youth lifestyle : § Quiet time for Prayer § Regular reading and meditating on the Word of God § Sacramental life in the Church § Regular fellowship with like minded people § Renewed zeal for Evangelisation § Service – Option for the poor

Charisms § Power of youth reaching out to youth § Faith formation of youth and children § Use of gifts of the Holy Spirit § Missionary commitment § Close interaction and collaboration among individuals, ministries and fellowship groups § Witnessing in the fast changing modern milieu

Jesus Youth International Team with the Holy Father in Rome First meeting in Rome 2003

Ministries Sharing Jesus in a specific context using some special talent or charism.

Ministries… Ministry categories in Jesus Youth § Formation § Life-Situations § Talent § Reach-out § Backbone Ministries

Formation Jesus Youth Fulltime Volunteers § One year- long formation programme for graduates. History Makers § Four- day Jesus Youth life style orientation for teenagers. Discipleship Training Programme § Seven- day training programme for youngsters.

Full Time Volunteer Training

Formation… Master Builders § Fifteen day life-oriented leadership programme for students. Junior Evangelizers Trainers Team § Year long leadership formation with 4 to 5 training sessions without taking full time commitment. Parish/Prayer Group Leaders Training § Training for effective youth leadership in the context of a parish.

Formation… Life in the Spirit Seminar § Ten weeks long initial training using common retreat topics Yuvajyothi § An in-depth version of the Life in the Spirit Seminar Master life Discipleship Training § Three months discipleship training programme for leaders.

Life Situations Parish Ministry § To impart strong impetus to be leaven in the parish life. Campus Ministry § Ministry among university and college teachers and students. Teens Ministry § Forms prayer groups in High schools and plus two colleges and arranges leadership conferences and training programmes. Professionals Ministry § Ministry among working professionals like lawyers, doctors, engineers etc. and students of professional colleges Nurses Ministry § Active network of nursing schools and hospital involving both students and staff.

Talent Rex Band § Music outreach group of the Jesus Youth Music Ministry § Trains young men and women with musical abilities to use their talents for the glory of God and his Kingdom. Audio Visual Ministry § Theatrical arts used for youth formation and evangelisation Exhibition § An attempt to communicate the message of love through posters, paintings, collage, sculpture etc.

Rex Band Audio Visuals

Reach Out Among Children- Christeen, Anglels Army § The older brothers and sisters provide positive role models and friendly Christian guidance to the younger ones. Jesus Youth Outreach Ministry § Reaches out in slums, prison, orphanages and among street children with a goal of giving formation.

Reach Out… Youth for life (Jesus Youth Pro-lifers) § Trains many life volunteers to take a stand against the culture of death. Bible Ministry § Brings out Bible Calendars with daily Bible verses prescribing three virtues that can be practiced. UAE JY are working to make the Malayalam Bible available on the web. Cultural Exchange programme § One month exposure in Kerala for youth from various mission dioceses especially the tribal belt to familiarize them with our JY lifestyle and Catholic tradition.

Backbone Ministries Intercession Ministry § Active through fasting, prayers, chain prayers, night vigils and intercession retreats. Finance Ministry § Raises funds with the aid of commitment cards, tithes and voluntary donations

www. jesusyouth. org

www. jesusyouth. org Website www. jesusyouth. org § An interactive site containing information about the Jesus Youth in different countries around the globe. Joynet § An e-mail fellowship with over 1000 active members from different parts of the globe. Parablenet § An e-mail group to receive stories and reflections on the Word of God