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 Young Carmelite 18-35's
From the Catholic Weekly
of 12 Aug 01
Young seek ‘friendship with Christ’
By Marilyn Kerjean
Simon Soljo is one of a group of young people from many places in
Sydney and Wollongong who regularly go to the Discalced Carmelite Retreat
Centre in Varroville to learn about Catholic spirituality, theology
and Church history, and how to pray with the Scriptures.
The Young Carmelite Group meets once a month.
In response to the issues faced by young people in everyday life,
particularly upon entering university or the workforce, Simon believes
the only valid answers can be in the context of faith.
“It’s easy to fall into the error of thinking that by acquiring
more and more you can be fulfilled in life,” he says. “It’s
a pervasive attitude in our materialistic and atheistic society. It
just becomes a vicious circle because we can never get enough to be
able to say we’re completely happy.”
Some of the members of the Young Carmelite Group with Fr Greg Homeming
The aim of the Young Carmelite Group is to encourage and enable young
people to contribute in a real way to the life of the Church, through
personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
“The main reason I’m involved is because I’m attracted
to the Carmelite sense of developing friendship with Christ,” says
22-year-old Matthew Collins.
“In the big and busy cities we live in, we need that quiet place
inside which is nourished through prayer. St John of the Cross spoke
about the need for beautiful memories in enriching the spiritual life
and I’ve experienced something of this at the Carmelites.”
Fr Greg Homeming (OCD) is the group’s spiritual
director, a role which evolved from his direction of twice yearly youth
retreats at the centre.
“There are many young people who are interested
in God, and want to learn more about the spiritual life and how to
pray, but don’t know how to go about it,” he says.
“Many don’t even know where to go in the Church
to find out about these things, yet all people are called to lead a
spiritual life.
“Many young people have deep questions, deep desires,
and in fact want to experience God.
“The Church has a responsibility to answer that
need and expects the religious orders, especially the contemplative
orders, to teach in the area of spirituality.”
About 20 young people regularly attend the retreat days
or join in at various times. There are three main sessions focusing
on praying with the Scriptures, contemporary and early theology and
spirituality.
Some of the writings of St Thomas Aquinas, Cardinal
Walter Kasper, St Teresa and St John of the Cross are included for
study and discussion.
“If we want to truly give ourselves to God, every
part of what we are as a human being must also be brought into the
presence and love of God, including the mind,” says Fr Homeming.
“Discussing theology means that those inclined
to think deeply about things to do with God can think and reflect prayerfully
so as to feed and nourish the spiritual life.”
The next Young Carmelite Sunday will be held on August
26 (from 3pm).
For information call (02) 9603 1433.
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