Training Leaders

Currently one of our teams weekly events is a leadership training series we are running for the young adults we have met over the past 5 months who are interested in volunteering with the youth groups. During these two hour events we have a couple of short talks on various aspects of ministry on material we ourselves learnt during our training with NET. Last night we had one of these events and watching these newfound friends investing in ministry was awesome.

One of my favorite moments from last night was after everything was done two of our volunteers were getting ready to leave and putting gloves on their baby, (dinosaur gloves!) which propelled us into a conversation about Jurassic Park, touching on the morality of genetic engineering and then moving on to discussing Star Trek. It was just a beautiful moment to see the normalness of these volunteers who at the same time are devoting time to serve God. That simply by being themselves they were able to bring a bit of brightness to our day.

Josh H, iN2 Blogger

Taking Advantage of Winter!

It’s been another busy week full of blessings here in Beauce!

We had the opportunity to put on an Encounter Day retreat this past weekend for a group of our youth as well as a group that drove out from Terrebonne. Altogether there were about 40 youth that took part, and we were able to spend time getting to know them better during small groups, while playing games outside, and over meal times. It was also a chance for the teens from two different areas of Quebec to connect and discover new friendships. The retreat was followed by an evening celebrating the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple with music and a candle procession, and the team did a skit to correspond with the Gospel reading.

 

We also had a senior youth group devoted to prayer, where we split into 3 groups and had workshops to learn about various forms of prayer.  Each workshop included a mini talk, some discussion, and time to pray. The youth seemed to really enjoy the night, and it was cool to see them asking questions and genuinely curious about the topic.

Team Day this week was extra special as we celebrated Katelyn’s ‘Unbirthday’ by going to Quebec City for the Carnival! It was a great afternoon full of ice fishing, tubing, delicious snacks, and getting to meet the famous Bonhomme. Quebec is proving to us that there is plenty of fun to be had, even in the cold winter temperatures!

God bless,

Julie

Les Equipes NET

Beauce, Quebec

Encounter

On Sunday we had a high school youth night (called Cornerstone) where we were making hampers of food for families in need in the parish, just before the night was about to start I was getting ready to give the announcements after mass. I was standing just outside the doors to the church and I saw one of our youth who had been to a couple of the Cornerstone nights. She asked if it we had youth group that night and what we were doing. I told her that we were making hampers and she had a huge smile and said “that’s awesome! I want to come!”

It was such an incredible encounter, yet in those 10 seconds all the stress and weariness of the day was kicked aside. Countless times in the past year I have seen God do incredible things, all the little and big things that need to happen suddenly get done, little miracles every day! little things like people donating all the food needed for the hampers, or encounters like the one above. Praise be to God, He is always with us!

Josh H,
iN2 Blogger
St. Thomas More Parish
Edmonton

In God's Time

It is so true that God can do amazing things even in a short time and even when we don't feel completely equipped or prepared; the way that God works really doesn't depend on us.

We were asked to give a Confirmation talk for a group of grade 6 students and their parents only a couple of days before we had to give it. Daniel stepped up to the challenge and was able to drive home in a clear and simple way that the choice we make at Confirmation is not a graduation from the church but is about choosing to live in a relationship with Jesus. Blaise and Bailey also inspired them with testimonies about how they chose to live their relationship with Christ through Confirmation and encouraged the youth not to miss this opportunity to do the same.

We were also asked by the Leaders of the High School Youth group if we would lead a youth night, but with a last minute change I (Michelle) volunteered to give a talk on God's Mercy. Although I didn't feel equipped, God was able to work through my weakness. We arranged to have confession available as a part of the night, and at least 6 young people of their own accord took advantage of the amazing opportunity to receive God's Mercy and come back into relationship with Him.
“God doesn’t call the equipped. He equips the called.”

God Bless,
Michelle Walsh
iNFUSE 1, Montreal

Quality Time

We were fortunate to get a great opportunity this past Friday to spend the day with quite a few of our youth! Many of the schools had the day off, so the brotherhood organized a day snowboarding with several of the guys while the group of ladies decided to stay warm and instead spent the afternoon watching The Princess Diaries together. Later that evening we also had youth group for our senior high school students, where we learned more about Christ’s love for us through a talk, activity, and prayer time in the church. After a few months of the team being here we’re really starting to experience the youth opening up and sharing their faith with both their peers and us, especially during small groups.

The local rink where we spend weekly Sports Nights 
skating and playing hockey

On Sunday morning half of the team went to Mass at one of the smaller parishes in the area, and helped host coffee and snacks afterwards. It was a really nice chance to visit with the parishioners and share a bit about our mission here in Beauce. In the evening we had Adoration in another one of the smaller villages and the church was full of people from all over the community, so much so that we almost ran out of chairs! It was incredible seeing so many families and youth out to worship together and spend time in prayer. We had a testimony, a priest available for confession and music throughout the evening, and also some time to socialize to conclude the night.

It’s such a blessing to be surrounded by such a vibrant and caring community!

God bless,

Julie

Beauce, Quebec