Gulf Pine Catholic

10 Gulf Pine Catholic • April 6, 2018 Youth Meeting From page 3 Youth disagree on the topic of migration, the docu- ment said, but converge on the need to promote social justice, saying “although we acknowledge our com- mon call to care for the dignity of every human person, there’s no consensus on the question of welcoming mi- grants and refugees.” They also pointed to specific challenges such as glo- balization, an increase in secularism, racism, the diffi- culties faced by people in countries where Christianity is a minority, and the increasing number of Christian martyrs. “As we grapple with these challenges,” they said, “we need inclusion, welcome, mercy and tenderness from the Church -- both as an institution and as a com- munity of faith.” On new technologies, they outlined both the benefits and the risks, noting that while there are endless possi- bilities for increased connection, education and knowl- edge, there is also the danger that technology leads to “isolation, laziness, desolation and boredom.” They also pointed to poor uses of technology such as online pornography, which “distort a young person’s perception of human sexuality” and creates a “delusion- al parallel reality that ignores human dignity.” In this regard, the document at one point makes two key suggestions, first encouraging the Church to view technology, particularly the internet, as a “fertile place for the new evangelization.” Reflections on this point, they said, “should be formalized through an official Church document.” Second, they requested that the Church “address the widespread crisis of pornography, including online child abuse, and the toll it takes on our humanity.” On the role of women, the youth said women are still not given equal spaces in the Church or in society, and questioned how and where women can “flourish” in these environments. They said the role of women often isn’t clear, and asked the Church to specify what their role entails. The document stressed that youth want to be taken seriously, and that despite often being accused of not having a vision for life, young people do envision a bet- ter future for themselves. “Sometimes, we end up discarding our dreams,” the said, adding that “we are too afraid, and some of us have stopped dreaming. At times, we have not even had the opportunities to keep dreaming.” Young people, the document said, “value the diver- sity of ideas in our global world, the respect for others’ thoughts and freedom of expression.” At the same time, youth want to preserve their cultural identity and “avoid uniformity and a throw-away culture.” They said that many young people frequently feel “excluded for being Christians in a social environment that is adverse to religion,” and highlighted the need to “encounter ourselves and others” in order to form deep bonds. False images of Jesus -- that he is out-of-date, dis- tant or rigid -- often make young people unattracted to him, making Christian ideals seem “out of reach to the average person,” they said. “Therefore, for some, Christianity is perceived as an unreachable standard.” “Ultimately, many of us strongly want to know Je- sus, yet often struggle to realize that He alone is the source of true self-discovery, for it is in a relationship with Him that the human person ultimately comes to discover him or herself,” the document said. “Thus, we have found that young people want au- thentic witnesses -- men and women who vibrantly express their faith and relationship with Jesus while encouraging others to approach, meet, and fall in love with Jesus themselves.” Scandals within the Church damage the confidence young people have in it, the delegates said, but stressed that the Church can still play a “vital role” in ensuring that youth are accepted, and no longer marginalized. In terms of vocation, youth said the concept is still “abstract” to many, and therefore doesn’t cross their minds. “Young people understand the general sense of bringing meaning to life and being alive for a purpose, but many do not know how to connect that to vocation as a gift and call from God,” they said, and voiced their desire for mentors who are able to accompany them with wisdom and without judgment. Youth also voiced their desire for more authentic- ity, transparency and openness in the Church’s life and structures, saying at one point that “a credible Church is one which is not afraid to allow itself be seen as vul- nerable.” “We want to say, especially to the hierarchy of the Church, that they should be a transparent, welcoming, honest, inviting, communicative, accessible, joyful and interactive community,” they said, adding that the Church should also be “sincere in admitting its past and present wrongs, that it is a Church made up of persons who are capable of error and misunderstanding.” The document encouraged the Church to be firm in condemning scandals such as sex abuse and the “mis- management” of power and wealth. If the Church does this with humility, they said, it will “undoubtedly raise its credibility among the world’s youth people.” Young delegates also voiced their desire for a Church that is capable of spreading its message through modern means of communication and which is also able to answer young peoples’ questions in a way that isn’t “watered-down” or “prefabricated.” Rather, “we the young Church, ask that our lead- ers speak in practical terms about controversial subjects such as homosexuality and gender issues, about which young people are already freely discussing without ta- boo.” The document underlined a desire that youth would become leaders in their communities, and asked that young leadership programs offering continual forma- tion and development be established. Specific mention was made of the lack of young female role models in the Church, who also with to contribute with “their in- tellectual and professional gifts.” Youth said they want to be “met where they are,” stressed the need for the Church to find “new and cre- ative” ways of encountering people outside of the usual setting, such as in bars, coffee shops, gyms, stadiums or cultural centers. They asked the Church to engage with “the right in- struments,” which the document listed in bullet-point format as having a multimedia approach; service in movements or charities; beauty and the arts; adoration and contemplation; testimonies and the synod process itself. Going beyond practical, functional and institutional decision-making roles, youth said that ultimately, they want to be “a joyful, enthusiastic and missionary pres- ence within the Church.” Nativity BVM Cathedral Parish, Biloxi Bradley Errol Bradley was recently named Biloxi’s Outstanding Citizen. This was the 88th award presented, with the very first award being presented on New Year’s Eve, 1932, when William Franklin, “W.F.” Swan was named as Biloxi’s ‘Most Beneficial Citizen.’ This award has been presented by the Biloxi Lions Club since its inception. The 2016 honoree, Susan Hunt, was tasked with making the actual presentation of the Gold Loving Cup. Nominees for the 2017 award, in addi- tion to Errol Bradley were Lee Ann Dubaz and Bill Raymond. Dubaz’s work creating the ‘Pack-a- Bag’ that benefits students suffering abuse and neglect was a highlight of her nomina- tion. Raymond was noted for his work with various organizations and his volunteer efforts. Certificates of Nomination were presented, as the nomination itself is an honor that few will ever receive. Mayor FoFo Gilich presented Bradley with a proclamation naming February 28, 2018, in his honor and acknowledging his many accomplishments. Bradley has been active in many community organizations including Jaycees, Biloxi Chamber of Commerce and Biloxi Bay Chamber of Commerce. He is active in Rotary, Yacht Club and serves on the Board of Merit Health Systems. An active parishioner of Nativity B.V.M. Catholic Church, he par- ticipates in Salvation Army’s Bell ringer program and worked with the Biloxi Mullet Brigade. He coordinated with the Biloxi Bay Chamber to relocate the BILOXI arch sign to the Town Green. Always looking to preserve Biloxi’s his- tory, he obtained the original key to the Light House and it is on display at the Visitors Center.