The chance to live! The chance to grow
The chance to sow!
Project
International meeting of the young
friends from the Faith
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and Light communities
Why?
Objectives
Recipients
Place
Accommodation
Surroundings
Dates
Price
Project team
Structure of the meeting
Topics to be examined
1. Why?
We are at a crucial time in Faith and Light, we need to examine time and again our mission today, in
the XXIst century. We have to remain true to the basics but creative and attentive to welcoming men and
women today, in the midst of the cultures of today and the media of today. We need to update our
vocation. The call of the Spirit requires all our abilities to carry out the mission of the Faith and Light
communities.
One of the characteristics of our current cultures (particularly in the Western world) is the aging of
society, churches and therefore the Faith and Light communities. Aging is neither good nor bad, it is a fact.
It is also the time for new opportunities. People age and die, that’s the natural process. It invites us,
amongst other things, to take particular care of the young people who are the future of Faith and Light.
Does Faith and Light have something to offer to the youth of today? Can Faith and Light be a vocation for
young people? I think, yes, and in a decisive way. To experience faith with the intellectually disabled is a
treasure that we have to offer and value.
On the other hand, one of the difficulties that we notice at Faith and Light, is the difficulty in finding
leaders, people who can take on a responsibility, people ready to say “yes” to the call to be a community
coordinator, a province vice coordinator or coordinator, at the international level… (The situation is
complicated in the higher levels of responsibility). However, goodwill and having a good heart that says
“yes” is not enough, it is important that these qualities be accompanied by competency. Attitude and
aptitude. We need trained and generous young people. To work on the topic of the leadership,
responsibility and commitment of young people is to sow the seeds of the hope for the future of Faith and
Light.
This project has thought about all this, within a framework of an international meeting, where young
people from many countries could meet and share, united by the vocation of Faith and Light. It is a seed, an
opportunity. Nothing is set in stone. But it is important to get to work and have trust in God.
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Often in meetings, we have a meeting for parents or for the disabled. At times, we have a retreat
for parents or a meeting for chaplains. Faith and Light is flexible enough in its structure to organise any kind
of action that can help the growth of people. Here is a specific proposal for the young friends.
There have already been other experiences in the past, like Deltebre (Tarragona, Spain) in August
2004, which bore much fruit. Many young friends who took part then took on responsibilities in their
community or province and remember this experience as essential in their story at Faith and Light.
Finally, looking ahead to the 2018 General Assembly, it is good that we can bring the conclusions
from the young people’s meeting so that their voices can be heard and taken into account at the Assembly.
Let’s not be afraid and get to work!
2. Objectives
1) To work on the formation of future leaders and people able to take on responsibilities within Faith
and Light.
2) Examine the vocation of Faith and Light: in the mission that God has entrusted to us and in the
personal and community call of each person.
3) Really experience Faith and Light International where there is diversity in unity and a great
experience of communion.
4) Strengthen the bonds of communion between the young friends taking part.
5) Deepen through formation, knowledge of the topics concerning Faith and Light. Promote the
personal growth of the participants.
6) Create, for the participants, a listening, helping and celebrating space.
3. Recipients
 Young friends from Faith and Light communities (aged 18 to 28 years old) 1
 Have been in Faith and Light at least three years (this isn’t a meeting for the young friends who are
new to Faith and Light but for those who have been with us a while) 2
 These young people have the ability to lead, some talents and a real and steady commitment to
Faith and Light.3
 There will be three young people for each province, with one intellectually disabled person. That is
to say, a delegation of four people (three young people and one person with an intellectual
disability).
 We will also examine the “requests” of the provinces: if one province wishes to send one more
person or if another sends less delegates. It can be offset.
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This is for reference only. The great majority of participants should be within this age range. The EXCEPTIONS will
be looked at on an individual basis.
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This is for reference only. It is about sending the young people who have been at Faith and Light for a while… This
isn’t a meeting for young people who have been with Faith and Light a short time and want to get to know the
movement better. Each province will see young friends to propose this meeting to.
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It is for young people who have the ability to benefit from this kind of meeting, a certain leadership, able to give life
and coach other young people… That their current commitment to Faith and Light is sure and certain… This is not a
meeting for those unsure of their commitment to Faith and Light. Each province will have to have a discernment on
this point.
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4. Place
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Maristes Guardamar Centre
Calle Costabella 70. 03140- Guardamar del Segura (Alicante, Spain)
Telephone: +34 966.725.109 / [email protected]
http://www.maristasguardamar.com/
Capacity: 122 people. Possibility of 20-30 extra beds, that is to say 150.
Hotel capacity approximately: 110 people
Residence: 62 double rooms (for elderly people, families ...)
5. Facilities
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Double rooms with WC (6)
Adapted for the persons xith disabilities with WC (3)
4 person rooms with WC (3)
3 person rooms with shared bathroom (16)
Youth hostel: Rooms: two with WC (1) / four person with toilet (1) / 10 (2) with shared bathroom/ 12 person
(3) with shared toilets/ 20 person (2) with shared WC
All rooms able to be extended
Swimming pool/room with all media
Chapels (2) and a large church
Sports ground/audio-visual room/8 different sized rooms
6. Surroundings
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Beach 15 mins from the house. Pine forest. International airport at Alicante, 30 kms from the house.
7. Dates
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31 July in the evening until 6 August after breakfast (6 nights)
8. Price
(We are on 2016 prices)
For budgeting purposes, it is important to take into account two significant dimensions:
1) The participants are sent by their province. It is not a meeting to be experienced on a personal level but
as SENT by the province.
2) It is a privilege for the participants to take part in such a meeting.
This is why the budget is spread as follows:
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1/3 is paid by the province
1/3 is paid by Faith and Light International
1/3 is paid by the participant
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32, 70 € (VAT) per person full board. TOTAL COST: 196,20
9. Project Team
 Javier Alcázar (Terra et Mare Province): [email protected]
 Beatriz Oliveira (Luzitana Province): [email protected]
 Raúl Izquierdo (Iberatlantic Province): [email protected]
These three took part in the meeting at Deltebre in 2004.
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10. Structure of the Meeting
Morning
Prayer
Formation
Beach
Afternoon
Practice
Pool/sport
Reflection and sharing time
Liturgical celebration (with Washing of the Feet one day)
Evening
Vigil
Prayer
11. Topics to be examined
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The mission of Faith and Light
The vocation of Faith and Light
The value of persons with an intellectual disability
Community life
Responsibility
Leadership in Faith and Light
The essence of Faith and Light
Following Jesus in Faith and Light
An international family
A time of retreat (morning or evening)
A time of excursion or going out
Importance of a COMMON THEME throughout the whole meeting.
Importance of a TEAM that coordinates and leads the meeting (made up of the project team, a chaplain, one
more person…)
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