Big thanks to everyone who gave up a day of their holiday time and came along to the Service Day on Tuesday 3rd July. First up, the young people from a range of our programmes got together and ate some breakfast before heading out into the Challenge garden. When lunch time rolled around the place was looking tidier than it has in a long time! After lunch the group split off to do different acts of service. Groups missioned to Karori Cemetery to tidy up the graves, to a Challenge supporter’s house to help out around the garden and to a family home to hang out with a refugee family.
The group came back together later in the day and shared food, which was important after a hard days work. Some input about the duty of service as a citizen followed, together with sharing some good thoughts and we were all encouraged to actively serve more in their everyday life. Then at the end of the day all concerned reflected on their service in a debrief session.
Last Term two eager young men explored their inner Master Chef in an 8 week Cooking Programme. They learned many recipes including honey soy chicken kebabs, spaghetti bolognaise, chicken chow mein, pizza, chicken wraps, homemade burgers and wedges and in the final week with the help of a real Master Chef we made 2 dishes of savoury scones and cupcakes!
Thank you to Newlands Commmunity Centre for hosting us in your kitchen and to all the people who have come past the kitchen to see what we have been making each week – we hope you enjoyed tasting what we made!
Challenge 2000 in the Hawkes Bay has been very busy… some of the things that they have been up to this month include:
Youth Mass – was held on 15 July at 5pm. It was followed by a supper at 6pm at St Thomas More’s Parish. The theme was SAY YES! Thanks to those that did SAY YES and came along.
Confirmation Leaders Retreat in Kuratau happened during the school holidays on 12 – 14 July. This was to help prepare our young leaders to lead and journey with the confirmation group towards making the commitment of Confirmation.
School holiday programme in Napier and Hastings (one day each) happened on Monday and Tuesday 9 & 10 July. Lots of fun was had by the young people and leaders!
Coming up in the Hawkes Bay:
Confirmation programme is about to get under way – people need to contact their Parish Office for a registration form.
Confirmation 2012 promises to be a journey of faith, new challenges and some fun thrown in!
If you would like any further information about any of these events please contact Luke or Manisha on 021 657 115.
Challenge 2000 in partnership with the Society of Mary
introduce the Gap Year 2013!
Back Row (L-R): Jacob Bang; Hakaraia Jacobs; Damien Don; Junior Seumanufagai
Front Row (L-R): Courtney Halliday; Siata Apolo; Anya Hodge; Anna Hoskins
What is this Gap year? It is a one year programme that involves holistic formation, NZQA youth work training, work placements, experiences, and local and international travel. The Gap Year offers the chance to develop the social, spiritual, intellectual, employment, well-being and physical elements that are required for a positive, successful and balanced life. You can also gain some extras to get you ready including your drivers license, first-aid certificate, and technology training!
If you require any information about the Marist Challenge 2000 Gap Programme please call Heath Hutton at Challenge 2000 on (04) 477 0045, or 027 329 3270. Or you can email us at challenge2000@xtra.co.nz
The Gap Year 2013 began on Monday 11 February at midday with a powhiri to welcome our new Gap students. There were a lot of nervous faces but the young people and family member presented themselves strongly, with an impressive speech from Hakaraia and a waiata: “Ka Waiata”. Following the powhiri, everyone gathered into the front room to witness the unveiling of the new names that have been carved into the Challenge 2000 carving depicting its whakapapa. Those who had their names added to the carving had been invited to be part of the unveiling and it was great to see the mix of old and new faces.
The first week was a mixture of induction, introduction, fun, team building, familiarisation and education about codes of conduct, boundaries and just getting to know the who, what, when, why and how.
The First 5 Weeks!
Since the powhiri for the Gap students they have been well and truly immersed in the life and challenges of the Challenge Whanau.
Gap participants have already:
assisted with after school programmes
participated in a camp for young people
cleaned up and tidied home and sections
sung at events
helped with community street day appeal
planned and facilitated a Childrens Day event
learnt how to work on retreats in Gisborne
shifted an office or two
completed a First Aid Course
played sport with young people
acted in a drama
begun their Youth Work Certificates
mentored and tutored
learnt and been on a retreat
catered and provided hospitality
made posters, painted and sculpted!
Plus lots more!!
If you would like to know more about how to support the Gap programme, sponsor a participant or have a “gappie” help your work, then contact Heath Hutton on (04) 477 0045
During the week we received two unexpected donation towards the van – one from a retired Johnsonville resident who called in to wish us well having heard about our work and wanting to support us. The other unexpected donation was from a longtime supporter of Challenge 2000.
COMPASS is Challenge 2000’s youth development and leadership programme for 2012.
We began on Sunday the 29th of April and every Sunday for the next three months we meet at St Joseph’s in Mt Vic from 5pm until 7pm.
COMPASS focuses on issues that young people need and want to hear about. We will talk about what it means to be a Kiwi, social justice in the world and our country, relationships, faith and of course there is a camp to look forward to. It really is a great place for young people to find connections and a sense of belonging.
Our target age range is between 14 and 17 but a year either way suits us! COMPASS also functions as a Sacramental programme so if you know any young people looking to take part in any of the Sacraments send them our way.
Challenge 2000 have the capacity to pick young people up and drop them off if there are a reasonable number coming from the same area. If transport is an issue don’t hesitate to get in contact with us.
Any further questions or queries please feel free to call Thérèse on 477 0045.
The youth at Newlands Community Centre celebrated ANZAC Day by cooking up a storm! On Friday the 27th of April a group of guys and a group of girls each set out to bake a batch of ANZAC biscuits. Both groups showed great teamwork and problem solving skills. Each came across a different obstacle and managed to come up with a solution which resulted in yumminess! The four trays of golden biscuits smelt amazing and patience was tested all round whilst waiting for them to cool down. They were worth the wait! Looking forward to see what the young people can conjure up next.
On Tuesday afternoon, April 24th, a team of 13 Challenge 2000 people – young and slightly older, jumped into two vehicles and set off for Hawkes Bay.
On ANZAC day, over 150 people, including the Challenge 2000 team and 50 local young people, came along for our first Challenge 2000 event in the Hawkes Bay. Special thanks must go out to Hastings priest, Fr Vince Onesi, who celebrated Mass along with Fr Chris Skinner sm, who directed music and sang his song ‘Sons of Gallipoli’.
The Mass included a great drama by the Challenge 2000 young people, songs in Maori, Tongan and English, and readings from local young people. Some people brought along family treasures including a naval hat from the Achilles, a saddle from WWI, photos, prayer books and flags. After Mass most people gathered to talk over a cup of tea and ANZAC biscuits. This is the start of a new venture for Challenge 2000 so watch this space!
Challenge 2000 and the Catholic Diocese of Palmerston North have entered into a partnership to support, work with and develop young people in the Hawkes Bay Region.
This exciting new venture begins on April 23rd after a scoping exercise and much discussion.
The first youth event will be held on Anzac Day and provides an opportunity for youth to remember those who served and to commit to service in Aotearoa New Zealand today.
“To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields”
by John McCrae, May 1915
San Antonio Catholic Church, Eastbourne on Saturday 21st April at 5.30pm.
St Peter & Paul’s Catholic Church, Johnsonville on Sunday 22nd April at 10.30am.
This weekend we are holding special ANZAC liturgies, as specified above. We will be remembering and honouring our family and ancestors who served overseas in war or as peace-keepers in our Defence forces. If you would like to ring or email Therese with your family members name/s or place their names in our special ANZAC box in the church foyer then they will be mentioned during the Mass.
We would also like to create a prayerful display of any wartime photos, medals, and diaries. Ideally these things would be best dropped in to our Challenge 2000 Youth and Family Centre at 27 Dr Taylor Tce, next door to the parish during the coming week before the mass. We understand that these will be treasured items and we promise to treat them as such. Feel free to call 477 0045 or email theresekyne@challenge2000.org.nz with ways you would like to contribute.
