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CNS Story:
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Faith Alive!-No. 27
A teacher's take on the 2008 World Youth Day
By Mike St. Pierre
Catholic News Service
Every teacher has an objective when walking into the classroom; I am no exception. Some days I aim for reflective writing in the final five minutes of class. Other days the objective is to include every student in a feisty debate over a moral issue. Whatever the objective, it has to be clear, allowing for follow-up.
As other faith instructors and I prepare for accompanying young people to World Youth Day 2008, I am wondering what our objectives should be. Will we be clear, and will the young folks understand exactly what is expected of them when they return to the United States?
To get an answer to these questions, I interviewed two classes of high school seniors. These young men, ages 17 and 18, had never participated in a World Youth Day event. (Young people answering questions about something they know little about -- sounds a lot like most of the folks who will attend World Youth Day 2008!) I asked the following questions:
1. "What value does World Youth Day have for young people?"
Without question, the overwhelming consensus was the ability to network with other young people. Social networking is great on Facebook and MySpace, but it might be trumped by the sheer volume of people that attend WYD.
"I want to meet other Catholics," said one student, and my guess is that he speaks for nearly every other young person who will attend.
Another student said he sees WYD as a "huge, safe environment."
We talked about how going to WYD would be a "cool experience" for youth, and how it was important for young people to feel they can express their faith in a setting that encourages conversations based on common values. Being in a different part of the world is often a draw for young people, and it implies pilgrimage and other preparations to make WYD a meaningful event.
Interestingly, I had one student say he sees WYD as a time when young people can see that the Catholic Church values them.
2. "What would make you want to go to WYD?"
Many students looked up to the ceiling before responding. Then some said they'd go if WYD offered anything from "great music" to "the pope factor" to the value of a great location such as Australia.
One student told me that he saw participation at WYD as a "faith vacation," a great way to spend seven days.
Not joking one bit, another student said, "I'll go if there is free wi-fi. If not, forget about it."
What will make for a productive World Youth Day is varied and complex. I like to think that a phenomenal location, a dynamic pope and thorough preparation will contribute to a good experience.
Then again, maybe it's all about the wi-fi.
St. Pierre is the dean of students at Oratory Preparatory School in Summit, N.J., and a productivity consultant in Gillette, N.J., where he lives. Contact him at www.mikestpierre.com.
END
Copyright (c) 2008 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed.
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