I’ve got a bit of a challenge on my hands.

A couple of weeks ago I posted about our Hurunui parish weekend for young families held in Hanmer Springs. This morning the group met for 8.30am pancakes breakfast and formation sessions (one for children one for parents) before the 10.00am Amberley Mass. It was a great gathering, building on the joy, enthusiasm  and learning of the Hanmer weekend.

With the parents I had earlier offered to continue formation sessions both for them and for their older children (9ish to 16ish years of age). Today I asked the young people themselves what they were hoping for, and whether they were prepared to be stretched intellectually in their Catholic faith. (you might recall my quoting Bishop Robert Barron on the tragedy of “dumbed-down Catholicism”  – watch here beginning at 3.47)

Two or three of the group responded saying that they really wanted to engage their brains fully with this Catholic formation adventure.

Inspiring!

The most enthusiastic of the young parishioners, a 15 year-old year 11 student, later mentioned to me that he enjoyed making videos and he shared one with me. I was impressed not only with the quality of his work, but with the intelligence that went into making this and his other videos.

So you will understand why I’m a bit nervous about the challenge I have on my hands with the young intelligent Catholics of the Hurunui!

Have a look at one of Tomas’ videos (he is happy that I share this with you). He would be especially grateful if you could subscribe to and share his YouTube channel.