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NOYE '01
OUR STATEMENT OF FAITH
From the 10 – 14th Dec a group of young people from Victoria and New South Wales have come together at a simple campsite in Gerroa NSW, by the sea. Each of us comes with our own stories and experiences, which are many and varied. What we all share in common is Christ. Therefore, we have chosen to make this public statement of this experience, our faith and our future as Church.
Our experience at camp was one in which we were able to open our hearts to others and to identify with the new friends we made. We swam lots and lots, and many people got the Australia kiss (sunburnt). We shared stories, laughter, tears, games, music and duties. By working together, we were able to create a meditative atmosphere in which we could experience God; enveloped in the beauties of God’s creation.
Our experience at Gerroa will strengthen our faith in the Lord. We have learnt that in moments of doubt we can accept and appreciate the values of the Gospels. We have gained an understanding that as Youth, our role of leadership and involvement in the church, is a responsibility of both the present and the future!
We will be committed to a search for our true selves, striving to be models of Christ by the way we act towards others. We will be committed to trusting in God and will grasp any opportunities to further our relationship and closeness to Him. We will strive to work together in building a better community, in the hope that we can bring the Word of God to people who need it most.
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Day 1
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Gerroa, NSW.
CAMP UPDATE
Day 1: Sunday, 10th December 2001
For the Melbourne people the camp began at 10:45 on Sunday night as they got on the bus to join the others the next day. Various methods of transport were used such as Bus, Car and also Matt’s motorbike. By Monday night at around 8 pm all were present and accounted for to begin the faith journey that both Sydney and Melbourne youth were to experience as one group. Please let it be known from Helene that the trip took 15 hours and also that Fini did not know the arrival point of the bus. Because of which he was an hour late…. Love your work Fini! Another point that has to be made is the Melbourne youth groups comments of “is that the beach we are going to???”.
As all the youth arrived everyone seemed to get used to the surroundings, or in other words everyone went down to look and the beach and the views it had to offer. As Fini was in charge, health was a great deal of concern, because of this fish and chips was on the menu. From this Fini returned with potato cakes and also deep fried coleslaw (dim sims?????).
The formal welcome and ice breaker games were conducted after dinner where both Sydney and Melbourne youth groups slowly began to merge and get to know each other. Fini gave direction for the week and set the common goal to strengthen faith together as a group.
After that great dinner more food is in order, on this note group 1 is signing off and letting everyone know that we are safe and having a great time!
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Day 2
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CAMP UPDATE
Day 2: Tuesday 11th of December, 2001
The day was scheduled to start at 8:45am, although it started, for some crazy people, at 6am, with a run on the beach. Everybody woke up with multiple mosquito bites in strange places. Our theme for the day was “God Present In My Life”. We began with an inspiring talk by Daniel. We broke up into our discussion groups and made names and posters for them. The names of the three groups are, “Bob the Beetle (a trademark squashed beetle in the corner of the poster)”, “Wahad” and “Jampledâ”. We had really good pasta for lunch, kindly prepared by Wahad, followed by Bob the Beetle cleaning up. We all went down to the beach for a swim after lunch, and most of us got sunburnt and sandy. The water was freezing, and the cool breeze, cool strong breeze, did not help. Intense game of Uno, followed by a debate over the correct terminology for pants/pant. Lisa followed on from Daniel’s talk, about the experiences of God in her life. We started dinner early, and half way through, Tiffany arrived after her last day of school. We were visited by Steve and Michael just before a great dessert of ice cream. Bob the Beetle took us down to the beach for their liturgy, and we played City of Angels. The group gave us each a stone or rock to represent our problems, which we reflected on for a few minutes, before throwing them away into the ocean. We sat back in a circle and the group was singing Allelulia! We then went back into our groups and came up with little skits, which we had great fun preparing. One group had performed “Jesus Springer”, with some interesting characters who wished to be disciples. Bob The Beetle had the Bernster trying to sort out his life and discover who he was. Jampledâ challenged the audience to practice what they preach.
It started to rain at 10:59pm. Concluded at 3:47am.
Quote Of The Day: (After nail polish was applied to Mark W) “You brought nail polish without nail polish remover?? – Mark W.
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Day 3
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CAMP UPDATE
Day 3: Wednesday 12th December, 2001
Today began with Loretta’s opening prayer for the day regarding symbols of us within the church. We all had to bring something forward that symbolised us as individuals, in which we reflected over our position as youth in the modern church.
Following Loretta’s reflection, Fini spoke to us about being in relationships with others. He also spoke about the Sacraments and their influence in our own lives. In our discussion groups after Fini’s talk, we spoke of the different communities and Christian communities we are members of.
Lunchtime came around with a barbeque that was professionally or not so professionally cooked by Bernard and Marc. Although 30 minutes late, the barbie was successful, allowing leftovers being given to our lifeguards.
During recreation time, the usuals were done such as playing cards at home and relaxing on the beach. However, the beach had a difference today with the coolness of the water playing second to the spectacle of Trent being buried alive in a rather sizeable hole.
After dinner, we attended a reconciliation liturgy put together by the JAMPLEDâ group. This liturgy ended up lasting for up to 3.5 hours for some, with the option of having either formal reconciliation or a chat with Fini.
The night concluded with the unusual supper of party pies and sausage rolls at about midnight, with us all retiring to bed for the night with a slightly healthier Fini and a little under the weather Lisa.
Written by: Marc, Helene and Liz (a combination of all three groups)
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Day 4
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CAMP UPDATE
Day 4: Thursday 13th December 2001
After a late night and a lot of noise, everyone struggled to make it to the common room on time. Some missed out on breakfast and arrived in boxers without shaving! The theme for today was “Gods presence calling us to action”. After an introduction from Daniel, Loretta and Lisa spoke to us about their involvement in Rosie’s and St. Vincent de Paul. The personalities of the people that they help were described as both funny and heart breaking. We then broke up into groups and discussed how we can be active Catholics answering God’s call through the Holy Spirit. Afterwards we feasted on the long awaited and long anticipated Roast, and it was worth it! Then we continued on our daily pilgrimage to the beach.
After sandy showers, together we came up with our statement of Faith, which we plan on using as a way to let all our parishes and supporters know what we, the youth, have committed ourselves to. All our fair correspondents can find this on the web site.
One unlucky camper had the miss fortune of the wrath of Rambo’s years of bare hand combat training. Amusement for all!!! Embarrassment for our poor camper. Our last night together united us spiritually and in a kickin’ way. It brought together all the symbols of our week. The gifts of bread and wine were passed around the group as a sign of our solidarity and community. We shared a touching communion with many God moments, especially the last powerful song, a theme song for this fabulous week, “God is Great”. Sorry the party is jivin’ downstairs so we gotta cut this final update short!
We’ve had a fantastic, memorable, invigorating, superb, touching, life changing week!! Thanx all for your prayers and support! You rock!
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