Posts Tagged ‘Youth’

State of the Nation – some successes but escalating challenges too

Thursday, February 15th, 2024
State of the Nation

In the midst of the country’s escalating cost-of-living crisis, the Salvation Army’s State of the Nation 2024 report spotlights the growing socio-economic challenges confronting New Zealanders. The report, Ngā Tukunga Iho – The Things We Inherit, offers an annual assessment of the country’s social progress – this year especially – children and youth housing crime Read more

Pope2Youth – become beacons of hope

Thursday, November 16th, 2023
Beacons of hope

In a heartfelt message, Pope Francis has called upon young people to become beacons of hope in a world struggling with conflict, suffering and desolation. “When we think of human tragedies, especially the suffering of the innocent, we too can echo some of the Psalms and ask the Lord ‘Why?’  At the same time however, Read more

Controversy enflames WYD buildup

Monday, July 17th, 2023
WYD Controversy

Controversy has enflamed WYD preparations as conservative Catholics get the wrong end of the evangelisation story. Regardless of his impending cardinal appointment, Bishop Robert Barron has made it clear to Américo Aguiar that he intends to evangelise during his visit to Lisbon. Aguiar, a youthful 49-year-old auxiliary bishop of the Patriarchate of Lisbon, is the Read more

New spiritual guide has bishops optimistic

Monday, July 3rd, 2023
spiritual guide

Bishop Steve Lowe will introduce Identity:Identified, the newest spiritual guide for youth, at the World Youth Day 2023 (WYD23) Pilgrims’ Commissioning Mass in Auckland on July 9th. The guide seeks to present Holy Scripture in an engaging manner to younger individuals who may not typically engage with the Bible. The guide, a brainchild of the Read more

To reach and keep young Catholics, the church must recognise women’s leadership

Monday, June 19th, 2023

Women play a vital role in passing on the faith to the next generation. But when 99% of Catholic churches have a male preacher this Sunday in a world where 50% of the Catholic population are women, it’s time for our daughters and granddaughters — and sons and grandsons — to see us naming out Read more

If church membership is not the metric for young people, what is?

Monday, May 1st, 2023

Anyone paying attention to religion in America has heard about the trend, especially among young Americans, toward disaffiliation with institutions, including the Catholic Church. So I arrived at a recent talk on “Seeking Common Ground Across Generations” prepared for dire and depressing statistics. But I walked away with hope, thanks to speaker Ellen Koneck, executive Read more

State launched relationship break-up support campaign

Monday, March 27th, 2023

The government has launched campaign to help young people navigate break-ups with the long-term aim of preventing family violence, believed to be the first of its kind. Love Better is a programme run by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) with support from Youthline, and offers a text, phone or email contact with advice specifically Read more

How to build a lasting relationship with your LGBTQ child

Monday, February 27th, 2023
LGBTQ child

If you are the parent of a LGBTQ child, I hope that the following thoughts, which I’ve accumulated as a psychotherapist over the past 35 years, can help resolve some misunderstandings, and help you and your child enjoy a more loving relationship. See what works for you and leave the rest behind. In his beautiful book Read more

Priest apologises for using a lilo for an altar

Monday, September 12th, 2022

A priest who was celebrating Mass at sea using an inflatable lilo as an altar was forced to apologise after pictures of blessing the Eucharist while wearing bathing shorts became popular.  Read more

Longtime youth minister offers suggestions to get teens excited about Mass

Thursday, July 28th, 2022
teens excited about Mass

My cradle Catholic parents instilled in me the importance of going to Mass religiously (no pun intended) but were never able to articulate why we went, answering only “because we are Catholic and that is what good Catholics do.” It wasn’t until a youth minister explained the significance, depth and beauty of the Mass that Read more