“RSVP” RSVP was the Leeds Diocesan Lent event for young people in Years 9 – 13, held at Cathedral Hall over four weeks of Lent. Let Us Proclaim The Mystery Of Faith Each week of the event looked at a particular aspect of the Catholic faith and aimed to help young people understand and experience how it is relevant to them. “Let Us Proclaim The Mystery Of Faith” was the focus for Week One of RSVP. Hannah Zafar (Parish Youth Ministry Coordinator of St. Teresa’s, Crossgates) spoke to us about God the Father. Many young people in their evaluation forms remembered how Hannah spoke of God’s love as ‘ridiculous love’, ‘ridiculously massive love’ and ‘ridiculously eternal’! Young parishioners from St. Teresa’s, Crossgates, helped to lead the evening with music and drama. Christ Has Died In Week Two of RSVP, Fr. Christopher Angel (St. Robert’s, Harrogate), helped us to understand a little bit more of what it means for us that Jesus died on the Cross. Many young people were encouraged and moved by Fr. Christopher’s words and were convicted that the Sacrament of Reconciliation was the best way to respond to the message of ‘limitless love’ they had just heard. Br. Benedict Joseph CFR gave his testimony on this night. One young person commented that hearing Br. Benedict Joseph was their personal highlight of the RSVP events. Hearing the faith journey of others is a key way in which young people are able to relate to the ‘big truths’ of the faith. They realise that something which seems impossible can be made possible in and through the Lord in the lives of ordinary people. A feature of each week was a short film starring young people from across the diocese. Young parishioners of St. Robert’s, Harrogate, featured in the Week Two film which introduced the week’s theme and Christ Is Risen Everyone seems to remember Fr. Stephen Webb’s (Diocesan Youth Chaplain) talk from Week Three, not only because he made them laugh the whole way through it. While focussing on living life in the power of the Holy Spirit, Fr. Stephen exhorted young people to think about the influences in their lives, the things that prompt them in a particular direction. During the usual small group times, everyone was given the chance to speak about the things that prevent them from living their life as active followers of Jesus. Young people from Our Lady and All Saints parish, Otley, helped to organise and lead everything in Week Three, from serving refreshments and working on the reception desk to leading people in a sign language reflection. Christ Will Come Again The final week of the RSVP events gave Josephine Stow (Coordinator for Evangelisation) the opportunity to speak passionately about the Second Coming of Jesus. It was surprising to learn that for many young people, this is a key aspect of the Christian faith that is forgotten about! The prayer time which Jo arranged for the end of her talk was powerful because it required everyone to respond to the message of the Resurrection and of the Coming Kingdom in a practical way. Jo explained that there are various ways to live out and pass on the Catholic faith, but each of us because of our Baptism have a duty to do ‘something’! RSVP Has Died BUT Revelation Will Come Again! The RSVP events came to a close on Wednesday 24th March, but this is not the end! The regular monthly event “Revelation” (for young people in Years 9 – 13) will commence on Wednesday 16th April 2010, 7-9pm in Cathedral Hall, Leeds.