Wednesday, 4 June 2008

Pulling together in Preston (21 May 2008)


Some 30 young people in Preston were involved in an African Mass on 11 May. Hosted by St Clare's, the young people learned African drumming and made hangings with the word 'Harambee': a Swahili word meaning "pull together" or "heave ho!" - a fresh take on solidarity.
The young people were from Wicked Dynamic Youth at St Clare's and St Edward's Impact! Youth Groups, which welcome young people from all over Preston.
In the run-up to the Mass there were a series of workshops. For several weeks, Diane Camara introduced African Drumming and this was used in the Youth Mass. It got the young people engaged with African culture and African everyday life.
The aim of the Mass was to introduce the idea that the Catholic Church is wider than our experience on a Sunday suggests. As a Church, our liturgy may be broadly similar, but the interpretations are massively different. Preparation for the Mass also explored the meaning of solidarity and connected it to a life of faith.

1 comment:

Anne K said...

Great to see that young people in Preston are still active in exploring and sharing their faith. Maybe some of you might come along to WYD in Madrid 2011 and meet some of our wonderful young people. Anne K. W Australia