All over the world, young people are preparing to be confirmed into the Catholic Church. What unites or divides young people in our world, our 'universal' Church? How can we communicate the Church's vision of one global family? This sheet offers suggestions of how global justice themes can be integrated into a parish confirmation programme. We have tried to link it to the broad themes that might be used in such a programme.

 

CAFOD is a sign of the Church's faith in action: a dynamic commitment to a world of justice and love shared by people in England and Wales and communities across Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. The ideas here invite confirmation groups to share in that vision.

Pope John Paul II, speaking about Confirmation

"You will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit ... that you may help to bring to the world the fruits of reconciliation and peace. Strengthened by the Holy Spirit's manifold gifts:

	commit yourselves wholeheartedly to the Church's struggle against sin;
	strive to be unselfish;
	try not to be obsessed with material things;
	be active members of the People of God;
	be reconciled with each other;
	be devoted to the work of justice which will bring peace on earth."

Action Ideas

	Use this story to explore the mission of Christians in the late 20th century. Who are the poor today? Who is imprisoned or subjected to slave-like conditions of work? Who is oppressed? Realistically, what would be good news? How can we bring it about?
	The 'Year of the Lord's Favour' is also called a Jubilee: once every 50 years, slaves are freed, debts are forgiven and land is redistributed equally (Leviticus 25). It's a restoration of human rights, economic justice and ecological balance. Pope John Paul II has said that the year 2000 should be a "Jubilee of Jubilees". What do you think Christians can say and do to celebrate it? Create posters, drama or write prayers to express your hope for the future.
	CAFOD has launched a new Fair Deal for the Poor campaign for the millennium. The campaign is calling for a cancellation of debt of the most impoverished countries, improved conditions for poor workers and a commitment to fair trade and aid. Is this something you could get involved in, post-confirmation? Call CAFOD's campaign office on: 0171 733 7900.

The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, right judgement, courage, knowledge, reverence, and awe and wonder. In understanding these gifts, we reflect on how God wants us to behave: not to judge others harshly, to try to understand the world around us, and respect the earth and all its people. We're asked to respond to difficult situations with care, courage and faith.

It helps to look at how other people have interpreted the gifts of the spirit in their own lives. An outstanding example is modern martyr and archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador, whose commitment to the poor led to his assassination in 1980.

Action Ideas

	Show the film Romero (available from CAFOD for hire, or to buy �12.95) as a basis for discussion. Is there anything about the life of Romero which inspires us into thinking about our own lives as Christians?
	Think of other individuals, groups or organisations whose work and lives you find inspiring. What gifts are they using?

Using Our Gifts

Becoming involved in the work of CAFOD is an excellent way of putting faith into action. How can young people become involved in promoting global justice in the life of your parish? Sometimes, just getting stuck in reveals gifts we didn't realise we had! Here are some ways in which young people can use their gifts to support CAFOD's work.

Action Ideas

	Promote CAFOD Lent and Harvest Fast Days by making displays, distributing envelopes, developing special prayers or drama for the parish.
	Join CAFOD's 24 Hour Fast Action (this is an ideal confirmation group joint activity for Lent).
	Get involved with CAFOD's campaign Fair Deal for the Poor to relieve the burden of Third World Debt, improve working conditions and support fair trade.
	Become a CAFOD parish contact - a vital lifeline between parishes and CAFOD (if there is already a parish contact, young people could support them, or be a parish youth contact).

The Parish and the World

"Catechesis for Confirmation should strive to awaken a sense of belonging to the church of Jesus Christ, the universal Church as well as the parish community."

(Catechism, para. 1309)

What connections does your parish community have with the wider world? It might be in the parish members themselves, and their families. It might be in the coffee you drink after Mass. It could be in the work undertaken by different parish groups.

Action Ideas

	Send your confirmation group out on a mission to discover the connections your parish has with justice in the wider world. This could include: family connections with other countries; a group working with homeless, elderly or disabled people in your community; a 'Third World' or justice and peace group; a parish twinning project you may have; a women's group; a religious order, and so on.
	Play Trading Trainers: six Peruvian families struggling to survive by making training shoes. Great fun, and ideal for making links between local and global communities. 15+ players, age 13 and up, �1.95 from CAFOD.

What Christians Believe

As well as the Creed we use during Mass, Christians worldwide have developed creeds to reflect their own lives and faith experiences.

Explore the following extracts to inspire candidates in thinking about, and creating, their statements of belief:

"I believe in God, father and mother, bearer of forgiveness and tenderness, strength and hope for all the world's poor." (Peru)

"We believe in God the Son who became a man, died, and rose in triumph, to reconcile all the world to God, to break down every separating barrier of race, culture or class, and to unite all people into one body." (South Africa)

"I believe in one world, full of riches meant for everyone to enjoy. I believe in one race, the family of humankind... I believe in one morality: love - the holiness of sharing the sorrows and joys of others; bringing together people as true friends; working to rid the world of the root causes of poverty and injustice, ignorance and fear." (India)

"We believe that we have been called to help in healing the many wounds of society and in reconciling us to each other and to God." (Northern Ireland)

"We do not believe in slavery of any kind - because all of us have the right and duty to live in the freedom in which Christ freed us... We do not believe in the so-called order of the status quo - because the Kingdom of God is a new heaven and a new earth." (Brazil)

"I believe that behind the mist the sun waits... I believe in reason, and not in the force of arms; I believe that peace will be sown throughout the earth." (Chile)

"I believe that life is great! I believe that young people will win through and form a new and better humanity." (Peru youth group)

Prayer and Fasting

In the early sixties a group of women decided to raise money for a small community development programme in the Dominican Republic. They invited their friends and families to pray, give up a meal and collect the money they saved by not eating. They called it a Fast Day. Their initiative touched people's hearts and soon more money was being raised than the women could allocate. They told the Catholic bishops in England and Wales, and so CAFOD was born. Now CAFOD is one of the UK's most respected development and relief agencies, supporting hundreds of development projects worldwide, as well as campaigning for justice in the UK.

Prayer and fasting are central to our Christian concern for a better world. In the UK we discard one third of the food we buy, yet people elsewhere still go hungry. Fasting is as relevant to our lives today as it has ever been. CAFOD's Lent and Harvest Fast Days are still the most important dates in the Catholic calendar for sharing our wealth and our prayers with the poor of the Third World.

Action Ideas

	Include prayers for those suffering from poverty, oppression or violence in your preparation meetings, and at the confirmation service itself. CAFOD has a free prayer card you could give to every confirmation candidate and use for your meetings.
	CAFOD has a range of liturgical materials suitable for confirmation groups: prayer books and cards, slides, hungercloths, posters, Salvadorian crosses. Full details in the CAFOD catalogue.
	If your confirmation programme is taking place in early October or at the start of Lent, integrate CAFOD's Fast Day into your planning. The 24 Hour Fast Action is an ideal project for confirmation groups: a chance to spend 24 hours reflecting and doing something together for a better world.

Further information and support

Local support: CAFOD's network of regional offices are on hand with resources, posters, liturgy materials, slides and video materials. CAFOD is willing to provide speakers and workshops, to feed into your confirmation programme. Click here to go to the CAFOD Regional Organiser Page

USEFUL RESOURCES: CAFOD has a wide range of materials ideal for use with confirmation groups. These include:

	It's not fair: an invaluable compilation of games, activities and discussions on poverty, wealth, health, human rights, money and every justice issue under the sun. Suitable for 13+. �5.99
	Celebrating One World: prayers and liturgies from around the world. �6.95
	Fair Deal for the Poor: free leaflet introducing CAFOD's new campaign, and listing available resources (information, poster video, action ideas).
	Youth Topics: free A4 sheets of activities on various themes, from smoking to AIDS to sex. Three new editions each year. Ideal for post-confirmation groups. Ask to be put on the mailing list.
	Between the Lines: free CAFOD magazine written by young people for young people.
	CAFOD Catalogue: details of all CAFOD's books, posters, prayer cards, slides and tapes, for use with all ages.

CAFOD, Romero Close,
Stockwell Road, London SW9 9TY
Tel. 0171 733 7900
E-mail : [email protected]

Resources for Young People
Resources for Groups and Parishes